Team BRAD

Who suggested a kayak trip on Abel Tasman? We love that person. We have just spent 3 amazing days in kayaks (known as divorce boats due to the fights between couples, happy to say we are still together), canoeing around the abel tasman national park coastline and camping under the stars with 6 other people and our wonderful guide - Brad, who was a great guide. So... we set out every morning to canoe around the coastline seeing amazing coves, aquamarine seas and golden beachers as well as seals, seal pups and birds. It was a bit choppy but I did OK and prayed that I wouldn't capsize. It was only on the night of Day 2 that Brad told us that he was attempting a kayak trip with us to get us around the whole coastline in 3 days as they were no longer allowed to do it in 5 days. He'd tried it before but it ended in capsizes and unhappy people. But we were to try again against the high seas and currents and wind. That was after a day where miraculously we 'rafted' together and put up a sail and sailed into our camp - fantastic and I had never been trusted with anything sporty before, but was given one end of the sail to hold - 2012 Sailing category for me in the Olympics now. Anyway, Team Brad achieved his objective and we made history - oooh I felt like one of the migrants discovering aerotoera (NZ to you). The other people on the trip were great too - especially the two retired Bostonians who were bungey jumping their way round NZ in between representing two prisoners in guantanemo and running a charity for Rwandan orphans - amazing people.

After going 'bush' for 3 days we went back to our van and got ready to leave the South Island - we are SO sad to leave this place - it has been an amazing experience and we have loved every minute of this place. We are coming back and I am also planning to do more kayaking in the UK (yes, you heard it here first!).

By the way, Tony sustained injuries during our 3 day trip - nothing to do with the kayaking it was more to do with throwing himself at Brad during a game of ultimate frisbee (broken toe), diving off a rock (leg grazing), cramp (paddling), chafings (generally walking about in wet shorts). By the way, we also go to go to see a gloworm cave *think Xmas) , check out nasty Wetas (cross between spider, cockroach, wasp - honest!) and have a wonderful walk on a beach at night looking up at the stars. 

Still trying to sort pix but guess I don't want to make you more jealous.

Marina - totally delighted that you have booked your Barbados trip - when are you going?

Sean- thanks for the pix of Joey - gorgeous

We're in Welly Wood (Wellington to you) at the moment, but will send another posting on this place.

Fidelma xxx