Oh how time flies......I am behind again.

Can't believe the last post was August and now it is December...and I have three Blogs to write- two to finish off the trip around New Zealand and one especially for Christmas.

So just a little pre- amble to both.

Although the powers that be, would have us believe the financial crisis is over - certain flow- on effects from 2008 are affecting our Tourist Season.Money lost to the banking gurus and the financial 'wizzes that weren't' , has yet to reappear in the coffers of the touring masses and many like us stayed closer to home.

But all is not lost - we have been doing 'stuff' - and from the look of progress this week - we shouldn't have started! The re-coating of the Kitchen floor failed and has to be sanded back to bare wood...the sealing of the new grout on the hall tiles worked well but spread itself a little too far- and cleaning it off the tiles proved to be a marathon effort.The dishwasher has gone to dishwasher heaven, the bathroom heater died and the time spent in the breakfast room by the bird that fell down the chimney has meant ...well... it did panic.... and guess what a starling does when it panics???Well it did ...and now we have to do some painting.

So a healthy donation to a charity will suffice for Xmas cards this year ... and we may just come to your place as I am terrified to cook the 'dinner' or venture towards baking a cake....

Be warned - I am a menace - must be punishment for being a slack blogger!

THE JOURNEY....PART 1 - the summary & map

The map of the whole journey - total time taken 9 days.

This allowed for 2 days in Dunedin and 2 days in Te Anau.

Distance travelled 2085 Km ... plus the odd bit of meandering around Dunedin and Te Anau and off the record shopping , eating etc.

Doesn't allow for GPS detours....

Recommended accommodation ( all Members of Heritage Inns of New Zealand)

• Fletcher Lodge,Dunedin
• Blue Ridge Boutique B&B, Te Anau
• Queenstown House, Queenstown
• Minaret Lodge, Wanaka
• Holly Homestead, Franz Josef

Best Food (ever)

• Fleurs Place, Moeraki (on the road to Dunedin)

Best Takeaway

• Fish and Chips from Oscars,Alexandra not a website but an address.

Most amazing sights

• Inland Scenic Route 72 Christchurch to Geraldine
• Road from Mosgiel to Middlemarch.
• St Bathans
• Country around Alexandra
• Milford Sound and approach road after 500mm of overnight rain!
• Drive alongside Lake Wakatipu at sunset on route to Queenstown
• Chinese Miners' Settlement, Arrowtown
• The summit of the Crown Range
• Cadrona
• Lake Wanaka at sunset
• The Gates of the Haast,Haast Pass,Westland
• The WHOLE of the West Coast
• Arthurs Pass
• Home to The Weston House, Christchurch

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OH ...AND THEN THERE WAS THE WEST COAST

THE WEST COAST IN ALL IT'S GLORY - TRUST ME- THIS IS A 'MUST SEE'

Well flippant is not what I want to appear...once again superlatives are right up there!
How do you describe a land of rain forest - not tropical - no snakes - verdant - green even(just kidding- I know what verdant means!!!)
Rain is a given - they measure it by the metre per year- it is legendary.Did I mention the sandflies???Well they are pesky little blood sucking insects that creep up on you and your exposed bodily parts - bite without any pain - and leave an unbearable itch that is too late to revenge.Insect repellent is a must ... don't argue or question - these are the Armageddon of the insect world.They are Al Gore's answer to global warming...they are hell!!!Be warned - I don't think anyone has died of them but if you could itch to death then it's a possibilty.As with most things (sales and husband) I over react and swell and scratch but it would not stop me from a visit to bushland that is the unspoiled part of NZ.As Len says - get over it...and I do!
But one thing is for sure if you come to the South Island of NZ then you will go to the West Coast..as we did- through the Gates of the Haast up to Franz Josef Glacier and here we stayed at Holly Homestead.There Bernie and Gerard will look after you as if you were royalty.Wonderful rooms and facilities - gorgeous NZ crafted furniture by Dag Guest(Christchurch) - no website - just A1 reputation for quality.
The one thing that struck me about the West Coast is that with all the rain everything grows.They cut back the bush - it regenerates- quickly,almost overnight, it seems.
When you drive the main highway it is like driving along a road that has been landscaped.Low ferns, tree ferns and a mown edge - all very park like ,but they tell me ,it is as Mother Nature has done it- I'm not sure on this but local knowledge rules - so it must be right???However,spectacular it is - even when raining.
So on we drove, up through Hokitika,greenstone or NZ jade country, a quick visit to Shanty Town just short of Greymouth- back through Kumara and home to Christchurch via Arthur's Pass. Why so many links?Well,other people have written so enthusiastically about these areas that you need to check them not me - I will oversell these places - you need a little balance - just a bit of backup from the unbiased!
Was it good to come home to Christchurch - of course- but then we were heading North and another saga.....

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Use the reduce button to view journey Day 8

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..and home...total time 9 days...allowing 2 nights in Dunedin and 2 nights in Te Anau