Halfway Back to London

I’m sitting in Kuala Lumpur airport feeling a little worse for wear, halfway back to Europe. I’ve got a three hour transit so now would be the perfect time to finish my NZ blogs but I’m feeling pretty jaded so will just post some photos of my awesome family, my birthday cake and the sky from the lounge window the other night. And my computer’s going to die so hope this uploads.

  

South Island Travels

I spent nearly a week down in the South Island catching up with friends after my first visit to Wellington.

 

Becca and Christian very kindly gave me an early morning lift to the Interisland Ferry terminal and at a cold but sunny lunchtime I arrived in Picton to see Patrick waiting, picnic basket and feijoas a-ready for our drive down to the East Coast to Kaikoura for a night and then on to Christchurch.

     

Kaikoura is absolutely stunning – amazing views of the mountains on one side, and pebble beaches, coastal
walks and seal colonies. Patrick knew of a little secret-ish spot up a river where he showed me THIS

                           

Aaaamaaaaazing number of baby seals playing in the waterfall pool. No mama seals anywhere - apparently the adults can't get up the river, but leave the kids to play while they go out to sea to find food.

 

We took an inland route down to Christchurch that the cute old couple who ran the ‘tourist flat’ we stayed in had recommended – stunning alpine scenery and lots of autumnal colours. We picnicked alongside a creek and arrived in Christchurch late afternoon.

I was pretty surprised by Christchurch – we drove straight into the city centre and to be honest, I hadn’t seen any pictures since the second big earthquake. The clean up process is well under way but the devastation the quakes have caused is awful. I have to really admire the Cantabrians who are just getting on with their everyday lives and working out how to deal with the problems that numerous aftershocks are contributing to.

We spent the night at one of Patrick’s friends who woke us up early to drive to the middle of nowhere and watch a rocket launch by Otago University. It was pretty cool, if not quite as planned (they lost the rocket somewhere.) Oh, and went to a great little bar called Darkroom that a friends of friends have set up near the CBD/stadium. They are nothing if not enthusiastic for a wide range of beers and spirits. That sounded dorkily like advertising, but they really are.

Second night we headed to the grand ol’ farming town of Ashburton to see the lovely Harriet, before an early-ish start to Nelson on the Sunday. This might be a journey I remember for a loooong time. Driving though Lewis Pass on the night of the super moon reflecting on the river and the snow-topped alps was breathtaking. Adding to this was the super awesome mist that rolled in somewhere near Springs Junction.


Then after three very relaxing days in Nelson with Pat and his family (hope your leg is doing ok Rosemary!) I flew off to Wellington to see everyone again.

I still love Wellington

I spent a few days before and after a trip down the South Island. Wellington instantly feels like home – though lots of friends have moved on with their travels and new careers after university. So I didn’t end up wandering around with my camera at all but spent a lot of time hanging out with friends in my favourite Wellington bars and cafes, drinking guaranteed good coffee and wine (take that London) and some pretty bad cider. Thanks Becca for letting me stay in your cute little house in Newtown! And Kylie up in Wadestown! And Blair St for letting me wander in and out as I please :D

Wellington felt very small but cool. I can talk about it for ages if someone asks me about it but I don’t seem to be able to think of much to write down here. It’s well worth a visit if you end up in New Zealand. The city is set write on the waters edge, with green fingers pushing into the centre where the hills are too steep to build on. Even with ridiculously changeable weather, it captures my heart every time.

A few favourites: Mighty Mighty, Matterhorn, Fidels, Southern Cross, Midnight Espresso, Pheonician Kebab, Sweet Mother’s Kitchen and Ancestral.

Lazy Days

I’m sitting in the lounge, basking in the sunshine while Mama’s big dinner preparations are under way and Dad is wandering around making weird mumbling noises about chopping wood for the fire tonight. Bon Iver is playing on the stereo, and the mountain has come out from the clouds to show off it’s full snow-capped glory.

The week has gone by faster than I expected – pub quiz, lots of eating out, a trip out to Eltham with Papa to learn about seismic, movies, vintage shopping, running and saunas with Mum and even mani/pedicures! It’s nice to be spoilt rotten at home.

**EDIT – I didn’t actually press publish so here’s some extra photos of Dad kiting today down at back beach.

    

Hello Again New Plymouth

Back in New Zealand again! I’m sitting on the couch trying to sort through photos from the past four weeks (I’m nearing the end of my holiday already) and after being asked why I hardly update these days guess I should write about my homeward travels! I’ve been travelling all over the land trying to catch up with everyone spread near and far. After a brief stop in Auckland (I’m coming back next week, promise) dear Papa bought me a ticket to fly home to Taranaki where I spent a few days catching up with family, climbing the mountain and generally relaxing.

First day Dad and I climbed up Paratutu, the big rock down at the port – blown out of Mount Taranaki in one of the past eruptions then wandered down the waterfront to the bridge at Waiwhakahaio river connection New Plymouth to Bell Block and Waitara. It’s stunning!

Then up Mount Taranaki with Rachel, Mum and Dad – all 2518 metres of it. 4 hours up, 3 hours down, big bloody mountain. Mum took me for pedicures and lunch and shopping, a real girly day the following day, and there was a big family dinner too.

   

Oh and hung out at Nana’s house and played on the collection of motorbikes in the garages and generally mucked around with Sam and Dad.

    

And then I headed to Wellington! I can’t say I have a huge heart for New Plymouth these days – it feels very very small, but it’s been nice to hang out in for a little bit. I can’t imagine living here again anytime soon though! Unless I take up kitesurfing, running, get a proper job or something similar!

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