The Beautiful South

The Rob Roy Track (he's a relative, y'know) nr Mount Aspiring. Aspiring to what?, you may well ask.

If only they'd just grow up.

Morning, Dames.

Here we are at the Franz Josef Glacier; which we couldn't walk on, touch, fly over or otherwise get close to (we'd had to climb a barrier to get this close) due to the weather being quite dreadful and the glacier itself being incredibly dangerous. But we did do a cheeky bit of overnight parking in the Department of Conservation car park, which was some (but not much) consolation.

Julia and Dames are on a quest for the One True Engagement Ring. To this end, they are pleased to be behaving like characters from The Lord of the Rings. Can you guess which?

Ducks are quackers for cous-cous. Who knew?

Beautiful Marlborough Sound.

Beautiful, hot Marlborough Sound.

Dames flexes his mussels.
The Clansman Pub, Havelock

Punakaiki's got some beautiful formations. Some of them only thirty years old.

It's Not Very Grim Up North

Our joy at finding amusing road signs remains unconfined.

Several dodgy geysers.

Will the grind never cease?

G'night, possum!

Dames experiments with the nightime setting on Jules' camera. This is before we are told that possums are vermin and that we should steer wildly to knock 'em over, should we see them on the road. Now Dames has an excuse for his erratic driving.

Jules dispells the Dames-originated myth that every photo can be improved by his inclusion. Beautiful, beautiful Piha.

At the Stadium on Saturday, we watched our new favourite team, the Wellington Hurricanes, narrowly beat the Auckland Blues. Go the Caines!

Jules is looking for a sign.

The most Northern part of New Zealand, Cape Reinga.

Got a light, mate? Erm, yes, actually: in that lighthouse.

My dad gets the point at the Bay of Islands.

Sally and Ali. Some of the delightful people who fed, watered and accommodated us while we explored Northland.

Rich makes the unforced error of having us stay the night at his and Joylene's beautiful flat.

This Jon chap was a bit handy with a tabel tennis bat.

Our other host, John. Never far from the barbecue or the bottle opener.

Thanks to all the very kind folk we met in the Bay of Islands and Northland. We didn't expect such comfort, good fun, and great company. Can't wait to catch up in the UK next year!

Much love from Damian and Julia.