Well here we go leaving the sunny city of Perth for the cooler climes of New Zealand. We are taking off on a Qantas, Boeing 737, 400 series the biggest plane we have both been on eight passengers across. The take off is absolutely superb uses about half the runway and straight up like a rocket. As usual sleeping is a problem on night flights but we are both excited enough to chat for most of the trip. The landing was better than the take off, just like landing on a feather bed.

We have to spend about five hours sitting around the Melbourne airport waiting for the plane to NZ. It’s not too bad as one of us stays and looks after the bags and the other takes a quick walk around the passenger lounge, really exciting stuff.

Once again on the silver bird this time to NZ and on a bigger plane than the last one a Qantas, Boeing 747, this time ten across, monstrous plane and it has more than two loos. The landing and take off isn’t as impressive as the previous plane but just getting this giant of the ground should be impressive enough.

Well at long last in Auckland. Somewhat surprised as the city looks at run down and in need of a lot of repair other than that the people are really warm and friendly. We are well rugged up and ready to take our first walk in the land of the long white cloud. As usual we head for the harbour area, that is usually were we find the food and beverage areas of town and we are not wrong this time it is a stunning little area of lights, food, yachts and wine.

Hi Loved Ones!

Never thought I would be involved in any way with a 'blog'. Dont even know how it works. I just type.
Right now I am sitting in our camper van in a gorgeous little town called Nelson (green shell mussell country) at the top of the South Island. Lovely little place and sunny but cold.
We took the ship from Wellington this morning. It was freezing cold and raining. Very rough passage across but so exciting. Huge swell.!
It is Saturday the 20th June. We will go to a historic pub tonight named the Royal Hotel (from our book 'pubs with personality' ) which housed the first ever Rugby Club in NZ, circa 1870. It is saturdayin NZ and the variety! Every supermarket has fresh fish, oysters mussels, cockels, smoked , marinated, lemon pepper, cajun. chilli, you want it they have it.Even salted herring! Very soon we will walk to the pub and watch the All Blacks and France game.What better place! (sorry ev, we fibbed.