Nan & Pop on the Road

Gallery: The end

simoz — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 09:01:00 GMT

Our last pickies before home time

Nearly Done

simoz — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 08:44:00 GMT

This will probably be our last posting. We're in Greymouth waiting for the TranzAlpine train back across to Christchurch where we fly out from tomorrow arvo.

The Minus 5 bar was a real hoot; we drank vodka cocktails out of glasses carved from ice. Had a great fush and chups meal at a cafe (Mum got a T shirt) for dinner.

The drive to Franz Josef Glacier was a bit long (are we there yet?) but the accommodation was better that expected. This was our only area of disappointment though; we were booked for a helicopter flight over the glaciers, complete with a snow landing; and five minutes before we were due to depart the weather came in and they cancelled the flights. We rebooked for a later flight then went to the glacier to see it first hand. Came back and it started raining - so no flights, money back then back on the road again (to Greymouth; saw a Winnebago thingy get booked for speeding on the way!) Stopped at puzzle world on the way and got lost in the maze. Also stopped in Hokitika to see a glass blower in action and had a good yarn to a mighty Parra supporter (he was wearing a Parra T shirt, so Pop introduced himself; he went over for our last Grand Final and goes over for State of Origin.

Had a relax last night frozen dinners in front of the tele for dinner (and the obligatory coupla glasses of wine).

Thanks for the comments kids; we love and miss youse too!

See youse tomorrow.

Lotsa luv,

Mum and Dad,

Nan & Pop.

Gallery: Queenstown

simoz — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 16:00:00 GMT

Dunedin - Queenstown

Queenstown

simoz — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 14:51:00 GMT

From Dunedin we travelled to Bluff, had oysters (very salty), fish & chips and hung off the bottom of NZ. Then on to Te Anau, a quiet little village with a great little pub (great feed here) and a coupla drinkies.

On to Milford Sound; what a drive - it was spectacular (seem to be using that word a lot). The road went through a valley, just like in Lord of the Rings (Nan said) and a pretty scary tunnel. The Sound was beautiful and the weather fined up for the journey, saw a seal lazying on a rock and lots of snow melting into waterfalls streaming down the glacier scarred mountainside.

Onto Queenstown had a great pizza (and a coupla more drinkies); a spa (in our room, which is verrry up market!) this is the accommodation we bought cheap in Twin Waters and we had to sit through a sales pitch today to supplement the cost. Nan had a spa treatment, complete with Rotorua mud (for her birthday) and Pop had a ride on the Shotover Jet Boat (have a look at their website (www.shotover.co.nz) to see what he went through.

Tonight we are going to the Minus 5 bar for a drink, everything is ice (including the glasses!) and we'll feed up and have some more drinkies (for Nan's birfdee).

Off to the Glacier region tomorrow.

Will try for another PC somewhere to upload some more pickies (can't do it here.

Jai & Coben, please look after Pop's shed while you're visiting (he thinks there might be 'the usual stuff' in his shed fridge.

See ya'z

Nan & Pop.

XOXO

Gallery: Dunedin

simoz — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 12:16:00 GMT

Brewery & more

Dunedin

simoz — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 15:23:00 GMT

Dunedin was full on started out with a tour around town and found Baldwin Street (do a Google on that one kids) and managed to walk to the top. The Speights' brewery tour was great, managed to sample all six of their brews, then followed up with a huge meal in their pub.

Yesterday we took the Tairei Gorge train trip, which was also great. When we got back we went to the Otago peninsular and saw lots of birds nesting on the cliffs and brown fur seals on the rocks; we missed out on seeing an Albatross (they also hang out there).

Today we travelled from Dunedin to Bluff (NZ's southernmost point) then on to here (Te Anu), a sleepy little town.

Tomorrow we're off to Milford Sound for a cruise and picnic lunch then on to Queenstown where we will celebrate Nan's birfdee (on Mondee).

Thanks for your special comments Mickey J & Crocky.

Hopefully a photo update from Queenstown.

Luv to all.

Nan & Pop.

Christchurch

simoz — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 08:55:00 GMT

Overcast and raining most of our stay here, but we still enjoyed the city - very relaxed and 'un-busy'. Saw a real live Kiwi; went for a tram ride (it's a Tram MJ, not a bus!); we were 'punted' up and down the Avon river and saw lots of little ducklings; played mini golf; and had a Gondola ride up the hill into the clouds - no giant up here! Had a nice Chinese dinner followed by a few drinkies in a pub with a couple of jazz guitarists - great music. Stopped off at Jade stadium on the way out of town. Then we were off to Dunedin, where we are now (more on that next posting).

Thanks for all the comments, it's great to keep in touch this way (don't forget to look at all our other photos in our gallery.

Luv ya's,

Nan & Pop

Gallery: Christchurch

simoz — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 08:22:00 GMT

Bleak but great

South Island Arrival

simoz — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 07:56:00 GMT

Arrived safe and relaxed after the boat crossing and train journey. Overcast most of the way, so only glimpses of the spectacular scenery.

Drizzling in Christchurch today, but we still hope to get around and see a bit of the local stuff.

Hi Eden & Beth; Jai & Coben; Mickey & Croc; Marnee Mooster & Aiden; Blake & Connor - luv yas all.

Catch ya later.

Luv Nan & Pop

Jen - hope that the semiar went well yesterday - you and Jon, have a good trip.

Farewell North Island

simoz — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 13:00:00 GMT

We leave the North Island tomorrow.

Rotorua was a bit smelly but it was worth it. The Maroi village and Hungi was great we had chicken lamb and mussels. The cruise on Lake Taupo was a bit sad it was raining and foggy but we saw a bit of it the mountains would have been spectular we saw them on the was to Wellington (snow covered and all)

We've seen lots of cute little lambs they look like little white dots all over the green hills (pop says he saw baa baa black sheep - I think he was dreaming or it is the only one in New Zealand.

Luv Nan

Gallery: NorthLand

simoz — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 12:17:00 GMT

From the North

Far Northland

simoz — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 10:20:00 GMT

Dinner Cruise was great - only got lost once on the way there (but it was worth it - the scenery around some (unknown) harbour was g8 (how about that for trendy!). Food on board was fabulous (prawns, mussels, and great lamd and fish. Paihia was a pretty place, the trip up to the top was 'adventurous' (Nan's word) the last 20 km was gravel (don't tell Avis). We saw where the Pacific Ocean meets the Tasman Sea; no dolphins or whales or anything 'citing yet.

Back to Whangarei (or something) - pronounced "Fun-gar-ray" (and they reckon we talk funny). Arrived back in Auckland yesterday great accommodation and a NZ pub dinner (is there a World Cup or something on? - they luv their Rugby over here). It took until Thursday to hear a Crowded House song on the radio.

Vege-ing out today (a little overcast). We'll try to upload photos next time we're on (didn't bring the cable today).

Off to Rotorura tomorrow for the Hangi thing - not looking forward to the smell!

Yes Jaister, we are looking for pressies!

Hope all are well - Thanks for the comments.

Luv,

Nan & Pop.

We've Arrived

simoz — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 14:47:00 GMT

Arrived safely after a great flight with Air NZ - had a couple of vacant seats next to us, which put a small dampener on things.

Travelled up to Bay of Islands today, just sampled some nice duty free Red that we bought as a pre-dinner drink. Gotta go soon to get ready for our Dinner Cruise, out of Paihai; a lovely little town that has glimpses of Strahan (TAS.) about it. Heading up to the Top of NZ tomorrow then start our journey back down towards Auckland.

Missin' all you Grandies.

Lotsa luv,

Nan & Pop.

xxoo

(some comments would be good !)

All Done @ Home

simoz — Sun, 9 Sep 2007 07:45:00 GMT

Off to Grant & Nat's for a barby with our big girlz and Uncle BJ, Aunty Nik, and cuz's Mickey J & the Croc before we head in to Brissie to camp for the night (didn't wanna risk Monday morning traffic!). Fly out at 12:30 on Mondee.

Next report from the land of the long white cloud.

N & P.

xxoo

Gettin 'cited now

simoz — Fri, 7 Sep 2007 20:07:00 GMT

Only a coupla days before we head off. Nan has just about finished packing the bags and yesterday she picked up our tickets for the fun things that we have already booked.