Firstly, now that we’re not in hotels with great internet connections we are not able to post the photo albums you’ve surely become accustomed to. Never fear, many cool photos have been taken and will be posted as soon as we have a decent bandwidth (or something like that. Colin speak for “it ain’t gonna happen”). It feels like we’ve done so much since my last post that I don’t know where to start. Maybe I’ll go back to the old format:
Bug bites: amazingly still no more, although apparently I am completely obsessive about killing them all each evening.
Injuries: Poor Colin woke up with a poorly back after the 2nd sleep, which he obviously blamed on the van. “It wouldn’t have happened if we’d been in a hotel!” – his opinion.
Van problems to date:
1) electric cable (you already know about that if you’ve been avidly reading the blog!)
2) missing chairs (again, already noted).
3) 1 gas hob ignition broken
4) Windscreen wiper broken – particularly noticeable over the last 2 days (see photo or our weather forecast).
5) Waste pipe connection leaks.
6) Windows (driver and passenger) wind down but not so well up. You have to wait until either you go round a bend the right way or you catch the right gust of wind to wind it up fully, otherwise you’re stuck with gales blowing in!
I’m sure there are more but all in all we think you get the general gist that we wouldn’t necessarily recommend the Jucy company to anyone that we actually liked. We’ve seen smarter, newer-looking Lucy’s but I still think she’s great.
After leaving Rotorua we drove down to Lake Taupo where we went kayaking. We did a tour out to a place where Maoris had carved some pictures into the rocks dated an amazing 16 years ago. Once again we were amazed by the history!! However, they did look pretty good. Photos to follow later. Then we had tea and cake – very civilised- then we paddled back. Each kayak was for 2 people. We were always leading the way. We don’t attribute this to our ultra fitness, more to our lack of knowing how to slow down after living in London too long. It also helped that there was a grandma in one boat who didn’t put much effort in and a young boy and his mum in another who seemed to spend far more time going round in circles than forwards. Our only competition was from our guide and he obviously had to bring up the rear. Colin made me go in the front of the kayak so he could keep an eye on me to make sure I was pulling my weight! Perhaps a wise move.
That afternoon we walked out to Huka falls which was a beautiful walk. The falls were not high but amazingly powerful. Apparently enough water flows through to fill 5 Olympic sized swimming pools every minute!
After Taupo we moved on to Napier and Hastings in the heart of the north island wine region. After a few obligatory tastings we selected some beauties to drink on evenings such as this one. Then we drove down to Wellington (hometown of my friend Susanne who has given me many tips on what to do during our stay in NZ. Many thanks, Susanne). We had time to explore the town and walk up Mount Victoria, which has stunning views over the city, before the weather started. Up until this point we’d been so lucky. It wasn’t to last. Rain drove us to the nearest pub. Honestly.
The following day we caught the ferry over to the south island and stayed the night in Picton and had some lovely fish and chips. It got really windy and poured with rain. We can no longer gloat that we’re having much better weather than you back home.
Today we battled the wind and rain (with dodgy windscreen wipers) to drive to Kaikoura on the east coast. On the way we managed to keep the campervan from tipping over in the gale force winds AND see some seals lazing on the shores. The plan for tomorrow is to take a boat and go whale watching, weather permitting. So we went shopping and bought gloves in preparation. Hopefully we’ll have a better day for it. Tomorrow is also my Grandma’s birthday so Happy Birthday Grandma! Hope you’re well and hope you have a lovely day.
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