Wednesday 17 October 2007

New Zealand - The South Island

These are pictures of the haunting Marlborough Sounds taken whilst crossing the Cook Strait from Wellington to Picton.













Picture 3 is the head of the Queen Charlotte Sound, just so picturesque, especially with the sun out. Unfortunately our ferry crossing was first thing on the morning and just for a change it was raining!


Picture 4 is one of our little camping spots at the start of one of New Zealand's popular walks, the Queen Charlotte Track (parents - it's also where we last phoned you from!). The walk hugs the coast line with beautiful scenery, lush forest and little coves, ideal for snack spots! The track is 71 km long although we only did a couple of hours and then headed back for our next adventure.

Again another sunset at one of the many gorgeous little camping spots we've been to. The campavan is just ideal as we take off when we want, have snacks when we want (very important), and bed down for the night when we want! Even though we've not been to work or anything we are always shattered on a night, too tired to even read most nights, yes awful isn't it!!

Keith was desperate for this photo as it's the name of his old school (now flattened!).

Hummmm, yes, steam trains! I think this was called 'Old Nellie'. The town was named Havelock after General Havelock and is famous for it's mussels.

















What more could a man want? The love of a good woman, mussels and a log fire! I continued the tour of the island and came back to pick Keith up five days later!!



It was such a lovely sunny day that we just ambled around the harbour before coffee and of course...CAKE!


I know it's hard to believe but New Zealand is THE best at coffee culture. The coffee has been superb at all of our stops (yes, there's been a few!) and the cakes are ALWAYS homemade. The big decision is which one to have, even Keith is becoming a cake fiend!









The local church in Havelock, I think Keith calls this one of his 'arty' shots!



















Taken from a camping spot that we'd stayed at the night before venturing into Nelson.











Notice the snow-capped mountains in the distance. You see this ever such a lot on the South Island.













This was taken at the port in Nelson, anything look familiar?













This was taken on a riverside walk in Nelson. The 'cities' in New Zealand as well as having a few shops and things always have really nice walks that you can do whilst being parked in the centre. This was taken at about 8.30am on a Saturday morning. There's a big farmers market in the centre of Nelson 9-1pm so we enjoyed the sunshine and then stocked up on our supplies of the most delicious fresh fruit and veg! (Of course we also tasted the 'other' market delights including 'bratwurst' in a bun, homemade cheese and apple donuts - a Dutch monstrosity of dough, apple and cinnamon - deep fried - just gorgeous- but not good for the figure!)


Aaaaaahhhh
, the little ESY campavan parked up for the night ready to bed down.












Before bedding down a walk on the beach, we were the only ones there, so peaceful and quiet.

Yet another little camping spot, this time first thing in the morning at little Kaiteriteri. How about this for 'wifey duties' - coffee on the beach at sunset for the photographer!










This is Kaiteriteri, it has the most gorgeous golden sand beach and is really popular in the summertime that is, November, December and January.

Talking of Summer it's rather strange here at the moment as it's still quite cold and we have our woollen hats on most days - purchased out of the bargain clearance bins, but the shops have all their 'summer' clothes in so bikinis and flip flops are being sold next to Christmas lights - weird!!

















4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Without any text from you, and being told to figure it ourselves, I'd say you're back in Sunderland visiting your old primary school! Sorry your trip ended prematurely!
Seriously though, all looks great! Just how many more pictures will be taken of Suzanne at a cake shop??!!

sissy Jen

Anonymous said...

Is there any photos of you nuddy.

Jimi todd

Anonymous said...

I'm also wondering....seeing as it seems cold and rainy more than just occasionally, how come we're not seeing photos of the two of you gathered around the old campfire? That would have to feel good on chilly nights...get a nice warm by the fire before you crawl in the nest. Would feel good in the morning too. Who's the fella that wants to see you nuddy in this cold climate?
Speaking of fires...check out Southern California where your niece lives! Getting more than alarming!

sissy Jen

Anonymous said...

suzanne the fifth photo down on this blog ,thats the throw back ,l,am now in the loft looking for it love mam