We have certainly experienced some extremes of weather since we arrived .... baking hot in Wellington and Kaikoura and then the spectacular landscape of the Bank's peninsula was offset by strong winds and freezing rain. We learnt an important lesson in camping tactics when we chose (2 nights in a row) a beautiful spot with a stunning view and woke up to a van with an interior temperature of 6Á°C after a night of howling wind which truly felt like it might tip our "home" and leave us in the middle of nowhere. Nonetheless we left the peninsula exhausted but with good memories and high spirits.
In Christchurch we enjoyed a hearty breakfast at the fabulous Arts Centre, had a quick stroll along the Avon river and then set off for Uamaru (via Timaru) to watch the diminutive Blue "Pygmy" Penguins make their evening waddle back to their nests.
On 23 December we enjoyed a leisurely drive down through Otago Province to Dunedin (Gaelic translation of Edinburgh) in time to see the Christmas pantomime "Snow White" in the grand Town Hall, which was great fun. We checked in at a camp site and spent Christmas Eve discovering a very interesting, historical and attractive city (including a visit to the excellent Otago museum which included an encounter with a very authentic looking Father Christmas). Then carol singing at a charming old church.
Santa managed to squeeze through our skylight and left some fun gifts for MattÁéo and Juliette and then we dashed off to the catholic cathedral "St Joseph" for the family mass. The day was warm and sunny and we headed out to the tip of Otago peninsula and enjoyed a Christmas picnic on "Pilot beach", playing cricket, soccer and looking at the seals perched nearby. Then we were treated to a fantastic spectacle when a seal family started playing games for a couple of hours in the water and on the sand right next to us! However, just as we were leaving, the (very big) male decided to chase us away and refuse us access to the rest of our belongings. Our predicament became the focus of a lot of cameras and local amusement as Alister was repeatedly chased away by the snarling heavyweight. Eventually, a friendly local offered to act as a lure as Alister scampered out to retrieve éinter aliaé the cameras (hence no pictures of the incident). Lovely drive back to Dunedin through the "Scottish" countryside. What a great day!
Thanks, by the way, for all your e-mailed wishes! Feel free to leave a 'comment' (below) whenever you like.
We'll leave the coast now and head towards Wanaka and the lakes.
2 comments:
So you are becoming familiar with the song written by Neil Finn (a New Zealander) when he was with Crowded House, called Four Season's in One Day? The only thing consistent about our weather is its inconsistency! Glad you're having fun and escaped the wrath of Mr Seal unscathed and with all possessions intact it has to be a bonus!
Well it is not too easy to get to write a blog I have to go through the whole palaver each time
Any way to compliment you on your adventures and to wish you a happy new years day and New Year too of course
Dominic still no job sends regards from l'aerodrome
Quite bleak wather here and little snow even in Tignes for Marielaures skiing on Jan 8th I think she goes; by train from London
Dad
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