Hello folks,
Could more people read this and comment! I get bitten to shreds by the b***ard sandflies when I write these things - ouch!
Yes, it's been a while and at the moment I am in Arthur's Pass - up in the Southern Alps - about to find a spot for our campervan to pitch for the night. Ahhhh - loving the campervan experience - we have camped by rivers, lakes and the sea - and been in them all for a quick dip before dinner and a glass (plastic beaker) or red wine. Loving the camper but it means you don't wash much so occasionally we have to go to a proper campsite - which has too many people in it! Yes, I am going to become a hermit when I get back. Had one fantastic night by Cascade Creek in the road up to Milford Sound - they let you cook on a bbq if you find the wood yourself - yes, I have pictures of Tony with his steel and blade for lighting the fire (don't ask me, but it worked - thanks James!).
We've been kayaking on Milford Sound which was incredible - will attach photos when I find out how to do it and have deleted some of the blurred ones. Have taken 700 already! It was like a millpond until some wind blew up and then we had to paddle extremely fast across a shipping lane (well lots of cruisers going out) and you can imagine that with me navigating and tony steering (we're speaking now!).
We've also been on rainforest walks, seen Franz Joseph and Fox Glaciers (Tony gave an American a fox glacier mint for taking our photo - she didn't know whether to eat it or save it for posterity - I don't think she believed it was a sweet!) These glaciers come right down to the rainforest! Also been walking round Lake Wanaka while looking at Mount Aspiring. Just wanted to also let you know that it has been BOILING and really SUNNY! Feel like we've done loads already and still 3 weeks in NZ. The bites from the sandflies are driving us crazy (to put it in perspective - I have 18 bites on one hand!). They are prolific and tiny and itchy - and the flies are too.
Met a new mate too - he stumbled out the rainforest just behind us, next thing we know we're having fish and chips and drinking a lot of red wine - ouch!
Keas - they are a pest, prolific and eat rubber - loads of warning signs all over NZ - yet to see one!
Thanks folks for your comments and thanks to Dave and Wendy for the washing line - it has been used many times. The plug will come into its own for sure.
Lots of love,
Fidelma xxxx
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hey there you two,
ReplyDeleteReading your blogs is proving a to be a bittersweet experience; bitter, because we are so jealous, sweet, because you're bringing back such wonderful memories of our time in NZ.
It sounds like you've already put in some serious mileage. Funny how a long day behind the wheel doesn't seem such a chore when you're surrounded by breathtaking scenery eh?
Can't remember the sandflies being such a problem, maybe because we were there slightly out of season? perhaps they jsut have a penchant for juicy Irish flesh? Dunno.
Anyway, do yourselves a favour and invest in some industrial-strength Deet to foil the little bleeders. It might strip the top two layers of your skin but nothing with a sting, bite or nasty attitude will want to come within 10 yards of the van. Definitely worth buying some before you hit the North island where mosquitoes can be a real pain.
Not a great deal to report from home. Weather perking up, Blair in the dock for lying about W.O.M.D. and Sheffield Utd on a decent run, but then I'm sure Tony already knew that (Sanders, not Blair). Still 15 points behind the magnificent Magpies mind you.
Glad the clothesline is coming in handy, Wend must take the credit for that, she's such a practical gal at times.
Keep on having the fun.
Dave & Wend x
Hey F&T
ReplyDeleteCan't believe you're still bossing us from all that way away! Fear not, we are following the blog avidly, have just been waiting until we had something exciting to say! And that something is... we're in the process of ACTUALLY BOOKING OUR WEDDING TRIP! Looks like we'll be staying in one of those lovely places we showed you on the laptop, fingers crossed!
Sounds like you're having an amazing time, so jealous, how liberating and adventurous! Damn those sandflies though, doesn't sound much fun to share space with them. We are missing you horribly and hanging on every detail of your exciting trip. And no wonder, it's ruddy freezing here, we're broke, Jordan's new boyfriend just won Celebrity Big Brother and the world of British football is rife with scandal and seedy affairs - wish WE could escape the humdrum and go cayaking up Arthur's Pass!
(Oo-er).
Me and the boys did the raffle at the Phoenix panto, which was hilarious in parts, but a bit difficult to follow (especially for Fred). Still, lovely to see them all, and I did laugh til I cried a couple of times. Jude, Steve and Debbie on particularly good form.
We miss you. Don't forget to come back.
Lots of love to you both from us four!
Marina Tad Dylan and Fred