Re the last post - Phwoardland there seems to be a glitch with the Picasa link - if you want to view the pics you will need to highlight the whole link and then right click to go there - I will now try and resolve the issue by actually reading the Picasa instructions !!

Phwoardland

Since leaving the Catlins we have headed in to New Zealand's largest National Park Fiordland where we have been able to explore some of the remoter areas during a prolonged and welcome dry spell.

The South Coast Track took us to the historic former timber milling centre of Port Craig staying in the DOC Hut with a varied group of international travellers and enjoying freshly shot venison

The Borland road took us in to the back and beyond of Lake Manapouri's South Arm where we enjoyed a few nights in the middle of nowhere with two excellent walks and a cycle ride down to the shoreline.

Manapouri itself provided the starting point for the full day over to Doubtful Sound via the West Arm power station which was a fascinating experience being located substantially underground. Heavy rain the night before had cleared to bright sunshine so we enjoyed a perfect day before returning to the quirky camp site with its motley collection of ageing Morris Minors,

After a lazy day on the shore of Lake Te Anau we headed over to the Hollyford or Gunn Camp a former Ministry of Works labour camp that is now run as a camp site with the old workers cabin's providing other accommodation. The fascinating museum houses a remarkable collection of artefacts relating to the history of the area and the Gunn family who were and are closely associated with both the camp and the Hollyford Valley.

A ten hour walk took us up to the Harris Saddle returning along the best section of the Routeburn to Howden Hut and Lake before dropping back to the camp.

Finally today we enjoyed the drive over to Milford and a sun drenched cruise on the Sound where due to the recent dry weather the waterfalls were less dramatic but the towering mountains more so.

We are now in a chalet in Te Anau so Sarah can ring Carolyn on her 50th before heading to the Mavora Lakes for more walking if the weather holds.

Photos at the link - next estimated update will be in a fortnight when we return to Ashburton prior to Sarah's ride at Hurunui.

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/sjarratt5/Fiordland?authkey=Gv1sRgCI_mzPP9pPyDxwE&feat=directlink

The Otago Peninsula and Catlins Coast

The wildlife of the Otago Peninsula was remarkable but required in the case of the penguins a decent telephoto lens and the sea lions a respectable distance - the giant albatross were easily seen but again a photographic challenge as in this case the gale force winds at Taiaroa head made standing hard enough. Back in Dunedin the Taieiri Gorge Railway was a worthwhile trip back in to Central Otago whilst the rough camping on the domain at Brighton was compensated for with a superb beach and sunset.

The Catlins were a quiet backwater with stunning deserted coast, sweeping beaches and wooded inland upland areas that provided good walks and an empty DOC site. The opportunity to walk on empty golden sands with sea lions basking occasionally was remarkable and despite strong cold winds the sun shone most of the time.

Curio Bay was a quirky but memorable site to stay on with the nearby petrified forest an interesting diversion - the trees were almost as old as the site facilities.

Finally today we have arrived in Invercargill after the obligatory diversion to Slope Point the most southerly point in mainland New Zealand and an afternoon spent on the nicest beach yet - name and location to remain a secret.

So far everything is holding together after 3 full months on the road - we eat well, sleep well and have had mostly excellent weather - even the notorious sand flies have yet to appear in any numbers. The van is due a service in the next week or two but the necessary is stowed away somewhere so a quiet corner one afternoon will do - despite miles of rough tracks and a full load the old bus is doing very well and provides a comfortable retreat at the end of a busy day. Some of the kiwi DIY conversions are amazing but being usually based on old Japanese coaches they lack the flexibility we enjoy.

The link to pics is below - any pics of home in the snow are welcome by email

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/sjarratt5/OtagoPeninsulaAndTheCatlins?authkey=Gv1sRgCNOLofvf-6aHigE#

Central Otago - Wild and Wonderful

We were lucky to spend New Year in splendid isolation in the Oteake Conservation area walking the Hawkdun Ranges and enjoying excellent weather with occasional interesting companions - a Swiss girl cycling round the remoter corners of South Island, a Chinese lad on a five year round the world epic and some very friendly and interesting Kiwis - locals and visitors.

Dusty dirt tracks took us high in to the McKenzie country, the Danesby Pass, Hakataramea and to reach old goldfields the Thomson Gorge Pass which the van managed remarkably well.

Last night we stayed by Lake Onslow half way along a long and remote track where we experienced memorable skies and solitude.

We are now in Dunedin prior to heading for the Catlins and then Invercargill where we hope to see marine wildlife before turning north.

All is well - and the usual extra pics are at

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/sjarratt5/OtagoHikingAndBiking?authkey=Gv1sRgCLfz8PyP9aWXJQ&feat=directlink

A Yuletide Blog!

Thursday 24th December
After a week away in the hills we are now back on the pig farm to enjoy a quiet Christmas as the Kiwi's all get away en masse to enjoy the hot sun and beaches - sorry snowbound UK!
The Southern Alps that provide the spine to South Island also provided us with some memorably remote spots around the huge sheep stations of Arrowsmith and Erewhon both lying many miles up gravel tracks and surrounded by snow covered tops.
A couple of fine walks in the area and over at Peel Forest have left us ready to enjoy a day or two relaxing before we head south to Mackenzie Country and eventually the Otago Rail Trail which will give us a few days cycling before we reach the Catlins and finally Invercargill in the very south.
We wish all readers and bloggers a Happy Christmas and successful New Year - pics again at the link.
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/sjarratt5/TheSouthernAlps?authkey=Gv1sRgCIL32YeTzse3kgE&feat=directlink

After our visit to Christchurch where we watched the Christmas decorations being erected we have received the excellent news that we can indeed stay here a year so will be extending our plans accordingly. The Banks Peninsula provided quiet nights at Pigeon and Okaines Bay with a free shellfish meal collected at low tide before we headed to friends near Ashburton and met their enchanting young son.

Their cosy home also provided a few days relaxing for us during which we tramped the Mount Somers route staying at two excellent DOC huts - both had fuel provided and in the case of Woolshed Creek this was particularly welcome as it snowed overnight. Our hosts down on the plain had damaging thunderstorms which knocked out power and appliances and added to the already heavy workload of the farm and family. It was an excellent walk in superb mountain scenery - Sarah coped admirably with the steep climbs, slippery snow and swaying bridges.

We are now heading south as the kiwi Christmas rush will soon be on us - plans are slightly vague as Sarah may try to get a physio appaointment for next week to attend to a troublesome shoulder - perhaps I should start to carry a rucksack as well!

Pics again at the link below - wishing you all a very Happy Christmas, keep in touch.

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/sjarratt5/ChristchurchAndBeyond?authkey=Gv1sRgCI7ZxK61uv7YOQ&feat=directlink

South Island Early Days

South Island has so far proved even quieter than the North with more mountainous scenery, almost no one using tthe DOC sites and loads of potential for the next few months. The road round from Picton to Blenheim passed along the remarkble coastline that the ferry had threaded through before we headed inland passing the famous vineyards to stay near St Arnaud. There we had a superb walk up to the snow line with great views over the Nelson Lakes National Park before heading to the Lewis Pass, Hamner Springs and eventually Hurunui. Here Sarah had a wonderful day's ride with Alpine Horse Safaris - the ten day option sounds awesome.
A walk up to a DOC hut gave us a chance to check them out as we hope to start using them frequently having bought Back Country Hut Passes - very much like the British bothies but on a more formalised basis.
It is the 8th of December and we are in Christchurch to submit our application for visa extensions to 12 months which was a bit involved as we needed new photos, copies of bank statements and so on in support but we are hopeful that we will get a positive reply before Christmas - it would be the perfect joint present.
After a visit to friends near Ashburton we will head in to the hills for a few days, return for the visa verdict and then head way down south for the busier Christmas period - very odd to see Xmas decorations everywhere in bright sunshine with people wearing T shirts and shorts. Still we will get used to it and in the meantime wish all a very Happy Christmas and New Year should we fail to post in the next couple of weeks.
As usual a link to pics below - gluttons for punishment are welcome to email us for free Yuletide Logs - the extended versions of these musings with pics downloadable as a PDF - just ask!
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/sjarratt5/SouthIslandEarlyDays?authkey=Gv1sRgCKfDi_jqhsWqfA&feat=directlink