chinese new year ended with a bang and fireworks in albert park. Heres a beside lily pond.

im helping a with her 1st of 5 weddings 2day at st marks in remuera.

auckland to abel tasman photos

safe and sound, ready for bed as train was delayed for 2 hrs because it was too warm! heat restrictions applied and we crawled along at 40km/hr for ages. Anyway, house is still in one piece and it is soooo nice to be back in our own bed!

3114 kms travelled, 100 or so of them by me (i mainly provided excellent navigational advice) and we are back 2 r s island starting point, Picton. Thanks 2 nick, were able 2 stay in plush apartment in w'ton, b4 heading back to sunny auckland by train 2morrow.

Weather still not gr8 but we still managed 2 have a bath in the rain at the room with a view boutique lodge in Kaikoura. We're just about 2 head back 2 picton via lunch in Blenheim, it's been a brilliant holiday despite not seeing any dolphins!

as conditions worsened and the skipper announced "u may wish 2 view the giant albatross 2 ur left", this was countered with "f--k the albatross, get me back 2 dry land!".

what a ride. Dolphin encounter was abandoned as conditions were too bad, but not b4 wd endured 30 mins of seriously bum-clenching sailing.

Apart from the HUGE 4head, not a bad likeness, got it done in q'town market a few days ago.

We had been given a lot of mixed reports about c'church, but like with Dunedin we were both pleasantly surprised. A very English city, we were able 2 go punting dowm the Avon river when i fell asleep. The art gallery (recently opened in 2003) was gr8, there was some moderm stuff from s korea which was real funny, nice 2 c people smiling rather than stroking their chins 4 a change. we went and saw North Country and Walk the Line, both highly recommended. Went 2 pizza hut 4 first time since uni. Unlimited dessert consistin of choc cake, choc mousse, jelly, ice cream, choc sauce and choc pieces 4 on top. I only realised dessert was free after stuffing myself with pizza (sans crusts, that's how they like 2 fill u up, also ask 4 water not pop which is extra fizzy) so i was gutted only 2 b able 2 have 2 bowls. Have begun panic eating ar new fitness regime kicks in on Wed on r return.

overcame the nerves 2 go up the mountain by skilift, gr8 views of c'church and surrounds.