tales from a campervan

So we've been off line for a few days and now we find ourselves in; the Central South of the South Island of NewZealand, or rather Lake Wanaka for short. So how did we get to here....

Well we started out last Tuesday arriving in to Christchurch. We didn't venture into the city itself. But the feeling we got from the people in the suburbs, was one of great sadness, at the loss of the heart to their city they love. As we travelled we've seen that the rest of the country rally in support of those who have lost and the real Kiwi community spirit shines through.

Campervan picked up (it's a 6 berth!! We paid for 4 they give us 6. Upgrade!!) we head north opting for the anti clockwise option of travel. It's not long before we hit beach, but realise once again like S.Africa the waters are pretty but waaay too cold

Its a house and it has wheels whoopee

beach at Kaikoura

Then of course we couldn't come to NZ and not try some Marlborough wines. Best sauvingnon blanc in the world so the experts say (lovely, but preferred the oaky chardonnays), can't deny we tasted some pretty fine wines and food to boot.

winery in Blenheim

Archie just enjoyed the free hats

Further north and you hit the Queen Charlotte Sounds so taking a day out for a cruise was a must. It was the perfect weather for it and we enjoyed being part of the Queen Charlotte mail run - being part of the delivery to these remote bays only accessible by water, beautiful places to look at just not sure I'd want to live that remote.

Queen Charlotte sounds

A family we did a delivery to on our rounds in the sounds

From here we charged onwards to watch the Canterbury Crusaders play their rescheduled super 15 game in Nelson,against the Canberra Brumbies, (the kiwis thrashed the aussies 52-10). The kiwis definitely know how to entertain at a rugby match there was fire....

horses.....

yes people these live horses charged around the stadium

 and a helicopter even landed on the pitch to deliver the match ball.

Not sure Archie was too impressed with the game but more interested in the hundreds of expressive faces behind him getting VERY emotional about a little white ball.

Pete took some great game shots in between shouting at the players

As the game progressed people around us started getting calls on their phones about a huge earthquake in Japan and that a tsunami was heading towards NZ well Nelson is right on the coast so after the game we hit the road in our camper van and spent the night in the hills. thankfully NZ did not suffer from a tsunami but the story unfolding in Japan looks horrifying!

That was Saturday and we've had an eventful couple of days since but that's a whole other post that I'm hoping to get round to tomorrow, buts 9.30pm here and getting way past my bedtime (yes people camper-vanning really is THAT rock n roll)