Various photos from December's exploits!

These specks are all dolphins!

More dolphins

beautiful sperm whale diving

see we do camp!

Barrytown - Nick's Dad lives here!

Layered rocks at Pancake rocks

Big surge pool - pancake rocks

more pancake rocks

Big waves that day

Blow hole in the rocks

Lovely hosts Julia and Brian

(if we'd spent any longer there Brian would have been off on our bikes!)

Looking back to the wet west coast from the tranzalpine train

Looking East to Christchurch and the sunny East coast ;-)

One of the many tuneful Tuis that live all over NZ
They make sound like R2D2!!

Akaroa - Christmas by the beach (23/12 - 28/12)

Met Estelle at Cathedral Square in the middle of Christchurch and then the 3 of us cycled to Akaroa. I was full of cold and my legs felt like lead and it was the hardest day of cycling in my life. It was so hot and the we had 5 hills to get over (one big one and 4 small ones). Estelle was cheering when I finally got to the top of the big one!

I was so relieved when we arrived at the hostel and we had a Christmas card from my M&D and a present from Emma and Michael in our room and I cried!

During our stay in gorgeous Akaroa we had a meal with the other guests on Christmas eve and Christmas evening and we did lots of sleeping, eating and drinking.

On Boxing Day we went kayaking and a pod of Hector's dolphins (the smallest ones in the world) swam around us for about 30 minutes - amazing!

On Mon 28th we cycled back to Christchurch and the hills were much easier this time!

Christchurch to Kaikoura (15/12 -17/12)

On Tuesday 15th we cycled to Waikari. Getting out of Christchurh was fine and Nic got his haircut for $5 (about 2 pounds!). The roads were ridiculously flat and straight - one was 22km long without so much as a curve or a hill. Due to the flat roads and our high speed we decided to head for a Cyclists B&B that was recommended in our guide. We phoned ahead and left a message and when we arrived Julia and Brian were there to greet us. They live on 10 acres and have a small farm and stunning views over the mountains. They treated us like royalty and we are so grateful for their kandness and the enornous amount of great food that we ate.

On Wed 16th we cycled up hill and down dale to Mt Lyford. The road was quiet and we had 360 degree views of mountains. We stopped for lunch at a place called Rotherham! We camped at a lodge and enjoyed a beer with the mountain views - bliss!

On Thurs 17th we arrived in Kaikoura (a 3 day cycle ride or 2 hours in the car from Christchurch!). The ride was challenging as it was very hills but the views made it worthwhile. We decided to stay 5 nights as there is so much wildlife here. We found a nice quiet hostel with a hot tub!

Merry Christmas

A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our family, friends (and people from BAE ;-)), people we've met over here, people we have stayed with along the way especially Dorothy and Peter, Julia and Brian and The Wardle family.

We are having a fantastic if bizzare christmas in Akaroa getting over colds and the ride here yesterday ;-)

hope to go swimming tomorrow, but missing the snowmen making.

Love to all

Nick and Jeanette

NZ law enforcement

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8427624.stm

this was sent by Mike Hall

made me smile, I gues you wouldn't do this in the uk at the moment ;-)

Rain, rain and more rain

Wed 9th Dec

This in Nic on a very long swing bridge over the Buller Gorge. Just after this Nic's bike broke and then it started raining and it did not stop raining until we left the west coast on 13th!!!

Murchison/Inangahua/Westport/Greymouth/Christchurch (9/12 - 15/12)

After Nic's bike broke we managed to get to a hostel near Inangahua (Berlins) and for some stupid reason decided to camp. The rain was shocking and the tent was leaking and we hardly slept all night. Luckily we only had to cycle about 40km to Westport the following day and due to the heavy rain the waterfalls coming down the cliffs at the side of the road were gorgeous.

When we got to Westport we stayed 2 nights at a motor camp in a cabin. All we did was get Nic's bike fixed, read, eat and sleep, as the rain was still pretty much constant.

On Sat 12th we cycled (in rain) to Punakaki. The veiws along the coast were amazing despite the weather. We stayed at a hostel and in the evening the rain stopped and the sun came out a tiny bit and we cycled to the Pancake Rocks, which were amazing. (photos to be added on a separate entry).

On Sunday 13th we cycled with a heavy sky but no rain to Greymouth and about 10 minutes off reaching our destination the rain came down big time. As the TranzAlpine train to Christchurch (on the sunny East Coast) was due to leave in 45 minutes we made the decision to be on it. The train took 4 1/2 hours and it was fantastic. Just after reaching Authur's Pass (the highest point) we saw the sun and cheered.

We found somewhere to stay for 2 nights in Christchurch and it was such a relief to escape the rain.

Amy has had the baby!

For those of you who know my gorgeous friend Amy she has had her little girl. She was born on the 8th and was 8lb 7oz (what a whopper!) and her name is Talia Shai. Look on facebook for photos. Lots of love to all the family, we wish we could meet her!

Kaikoura - wildlife galore!!! (17/12 - 22/12)

Sat 19th
We went on a whale watching trip and saw 2 magnificent sperm whales. Than we saw a pod of about 500-1000 dusky dolphins playing around the boat - totally amazing and definitley one of the best days of our lives.
Sun 20th
We went swimming with seals - saw 1-2 day old babies falling into the sea and being saved by their poor mums! Also a big male who seemed to enjoy swimming with us. We will definitely do this again some time it was amazing.

Tues 22nd
Skyped Mum and Dad and it was lovely to see them and catch up. We cycled to see a seal colony and then we got the train to Christchurch. We checked into our hostel and then headed out to meet up with Estelle (our french cylcing friend that we met 2 months ago, Emma and Michael, and Dale and Mo (who we met at the top of Takaka a month ago). We all went to the pub and everyone got on really well. So funny meeting up with all these people in the same place.

Some other photos

me and Emma in Wellington

Gorgous Pelorus Bridge

Goat with a triangle of wood around his neck???

Photos from Abel Tasman

Beach where we camped on 2nd night

Shag on a rock

Heading West

Tues 8th Dec

Today we cycled in glorious sunshine through huge valleys with views of rivers, mountains and forests to Murchison. We're camping at a lovely site right next to the river, which we've just been swimming in.

We're taking our time as we have 2 weeks to get to Akaroa, where we will be spending Christmas.

Heading South

Sat 5th/Sun 6th/Mon 7th Dec

Cheated and got the bus from Collingwood to Motueka, so that we didn't lose 2 days cycling back on the same road and so we didn't have to do Takaka Hill twice.

Cycled from Motueka on a lovely quiet back road with fab views (as usual) in the sunshine to Tapawera. We camped at a great campsite that had a pet pig called Spider Pig (Simpsons) and he did a back flip and fell over when Nic fed him (absolutely hilarious).

On the Sunday the rains came big time and we cycled all day getting wetter and colder until we arrived in St Arnaud in Nelson Lakes National Park. We decided not to camp and found a backpackers hostel to dry off in. We met a mad couple from California (Dick and Susan) who were celebrating their 50th Wedding anniversary by spending 3 weeks cycling on their own tandem. They had matching head to toe yellow rain wear and looked very smart! We met them at the take-away over the road and invited them to eat with us in the warm.

The sun came out in the evening and the next day the sun was shining again so we decided to have another night at the backpackers and go for a walk (after a long lie-in!). We walked part of the way up Mt Robert and had spectacular views over the lake and beyond.

Heading North

Thurs 3rd/Fri 4th Dec

Went to Pupu Springs - very tranquil place and you could see the water bubbling up and the gorgeous Quartz coulour of the rocks under the crystal clear water.

Popped into the Mussel Inn for a pint (of cider for me, beer for Nic) and a pie. It was like a proper UK pub with a roaring fire (even though it was sunny!).

Arrived in Collingwood and stayed at another great hostel with a beautiful garden.

On Friday we did another day ride (unloaded and in lots of rain) to Fossil Point, Farewell Spit, Cape Farewell (most northern part of the South Island) and Wharaki beach. We saw lots of seals, some very noisy and smelly. The sand dunes and patterns in the sand at Wharaki beach were amazing (even in the rain).

the above is actually an archway blown in the sand about 20cm high!!

We also saw hundreds of black swans bobbing about on the surf.

The Big Scary Hill (not Nic!)

Tuesday 1st Dec/Wednesday 2st Dec

Woke up to heavy rain but decided to get on the bikes anyway. Lucky that we did as soon the sun shone and we had perfect weather for the biggest climb yet - 791 metres to the the top of Takaka Hill. Very proud of ourselves and we had an awesome down hill.

We stayed 2 nights at a nice hostel with a hot tub (lovely). At the local supermarket they had a brass band playing Christmas Carols and santa was there giving our sweets - bizarre in the middle of summer!

Celebrated getting over Takaka Hill by drinking a bottle of wine in the hot tub.

On Wed we did a day ride (without the panniers) to Waini Bay - stunning coastal route with huge overhanging cliffs.

We saw some lovely beaches and we spotted a pod of dolphins and Nic took this ace photo.

Abel Tasman - Fabulous

Friday 27th to Monday 30th November

Our lovely hosts Dorothy and Peter

Left Motueka and cycled to Marahau via Kaiteriteri beach (were we stopped for lunch and had some of Dorothy's cake) on fabulous winding road with amazing views. Found campsite and booked our 3 day kayak trip.

Following morning we had our 3 hour induction and then we got our own private water taxi (with our kayak) to Opetahuti beach. The weather was crummy but soon the sun came out and the views of the beaches were amazing.

We kayaked about and saw a seal colony and more stunning beaches and then we set up camp at Medlands Beach, which we had all to ourselves all night.

The next day we took ages to get ready to leave our little bit of paradise and then a boat load of people got dropped off so we scarpered. The sun was out and the sea was calm - perfect. We saw more seals and one came swimming past us on his back, which was wonderful. We pottered about all day and then put up our tent at Te Pukatea beach. Unfortunately, we had to share this site with 3 other couples - damn! We had a swim in the sea to cool off and then washed off the salt with a pan of cold water from the only tap. We never thought we'd long for a cold shower!

During the night the rain came and it did not stop. We eventually came out of the tent at midday when the rain turned to drizzle. We packed up and kayaked back to base - although it was cold it was still lovely and we saw some great stuff. Really enjoyed the hot shower and the tea and cookies once we'd got back.

Decided that we could not face another night in our poor soggy tent so found a great hostel with a free cabin nearby. Al was onwer and a very keen cyclist. He gave us loads of good advice and showed us pictures of his recent trip to China.

Nelson and Motueka

Wed 25th to Thurs 26th November

Another boiling hot day's cycle ride through gorgeous scenery. Had 2 saddles (hills) to get over and we met 2 ladies in their 50's from California, also cycle touring and heading for Nelson.

Had fantastic sweeping downhill from Whangamoa saddle (357m) and Emma and Michael passed us again just as we got to the top.

Stayed at another nice hostel and met a german lad called Gerald who is really into mountain biking and is biking around with a big rucksack.

The following day it was still roasting and we cycled to Motueka, via Rabbit Island and Mapua. The wind was very strong and it was a relief to arrive at Dorothy's and Peter's house. These are the couple in the thier 80's who we met about 6 weeks ago in the North Island at a campsite. We chatted to the them for about 10 minutes and they invited us to stay with them, which is what we did. What a brilliant couple. Dorothy was born and brought up in Bootle (the same as my Dad). They have lived their life for sailing, climbing and walking and are a real inspiration. We slept in a sleep out on bunk beds and they fed us and looked after us a treat. We had such a lovely time and didn't leave until lunch time the following day.

Arrive in the South Island

Monday 23rd November - Tuesday 24th

We posted our Christmas cards today - hope they arrive on time!

Got the ferry ovet to Picton from Wellington at 1pm - lovely smooth crossing and great views of the Marlborough Sound. Stayed the night in a really lovely hostel and met some nice people.

Left the next morning and it was roasting hot. Cycled along Queen Charlotte Drive - spectacular views that reminded me of the west coast of scotland but sunny! Emma and Michael overtook us and we stopped for a chat. We planned to cycle all the way to Nelson but due to photo taking, blazing heat and head wind that felt like a hairdryer, we stopped half way and camped at a beautiful campground at Pelorus Bridge. We had a swim in the river, which was very refreshing! We then went for a walk to see some waterfalls (I think we are addicted to exercise!). We met our first Weka bird - large, nosey and cheeky (looks a bit like a kiwi but without the big nose).

Masterton to Wellington

Friday 20th November to Monday 23rd November

Cycled to Featherston and got the train to Wellington - as not fun cycling into the capital! Met a nice couple on the train who gave some good advice about Christchurch and the area around it.

Was a bit scary cycling through Wellington to find our hotel - lots of busy traffic and wierd things called traffic lights! Decided to stay at a hotel as all of the hostels had awful reviews. We were very excited to have 3 nights in a massive room with ensuite and a fridge and a microwave.

Whilst in Wellington we met up with Emma (a ex-colleague of J's) and her fella, Michael, who are touring around NZ in a camper van for 2 months. We spent a lovely afternoon with them and then we all went out for a curry.