Mount Kaukau, Khandallah, Wellington, New Zealand

You may have heard us referring to living on the side of Mt Kaukau but we had never been up it. So on a bright sunny Christmas weekday we headed up to see the views. There are actually several routes up and it intersects with several major walking routes, but on this occasion we just went up via the Khandallah swimming pool to see the view and TV mast from the top and then back down via the Broadmeadows route.

Christmas Day, Wellington, New Zealand - December 2010

Wellington presented us with some fantastic weather for Christmas day so after breakfast and presents we headed off to the beach. First drove to Scorching Bay where many families go, then headed to Oriental Parade firstly for an icecream on top of the fishermans bandstand then on to the beach for a game of beach boules.

Blondie at Alana Estate, Martinborough, New Zealand - December 2010

Only just got around to uploading these as we have only just recovered from it. Pretenders were up first followed by Blondie. Oh my god, Blondie !

Waiheke Island, Auckland, New Zealand - December 2010

Waikehe Island is a semi tropical island floating up near Auckland so is a cross between a holiday resort, commuter town, a city slickers weekend retreat and a hippy community all competing. It is a very beautiful spot and you can get away from it all there (although we visited just before the school holidays start so god help the place when Auckland empties into it next week). The vineyards and restaurants are high quality, as we now expect from New Zelaand, but higher priced than you see elsewhere, but we enjoyed it nonetheless.

Thorndon Fair, Wellington - December 2010

Just a quick few photos of Thorndon Fair where we wandered around for the morning. At least Linda and Mads wandered around, Baz and Steve went to the pub and watched England versus Australia (Live second test third day). Had to explain to some Americans why the batsman could just hit the ball and not run if they wanted 'surely they could be in for ever' they asked, 'no just 5 days !'. They left after half an hour. Anyway Aussies can't bat for 5 days, they only lasted a few bless them. 1:0 England.

Salmon Sculpture, Rakaia, South Island, New Zealand - November 2010

To some this may look like a large Salmon, to others it is a large Salmon. That is about all I can say but it is in Rakaia if you want to see it !

Battle for Middle Earth, Lord of the Rings, Twizel, New Zealand - November 2010

A short way from Twizel in The South Island are the Pellenor fields of Gondor where the open field battles took place in 'Lord of the Rings - Return of the King'. We were able to act those scenes with tremendous accuracy for you.

Mount Cook National Park, Tasman Glacier

Turn off state highway 8 onto the 80 and drive up past Lake Pukaki and you arrive in the heart of the Mount Cook National Park. The day we went it was overcast so the mountains all around (as seen from the plane a few days earlier) can't be seen on the photos but you'll just have to believe us it is magnificent. The first picture is of the Hermitage Hotel which was the original mountain climbers stay and is now an expensive famous hotel. We drove from there up a track to the base of the Tasman Glacier. The glacier advances and retracts over time and the current lake was not there 20 years ago but has formed with the current retraction. Massive, and I mean massive, pieces of ice have broken off and are floating in the lake as icebergs. You will see a yellow dot on the middle photo which is a tourist boat full of people. Quiet an incredible sight to see. The 'hills' around thew lake are in fact just debris from the glacier. Very good day out. We will be back !

Lake Tekapo & Mount Cook, New Zealand

Off to The South Island for a holiday and stopped at Peppers in Lake Tekapo. Booked a flight around Mount Cook and the several famous glaciers. Stunning scenery. This first shot is our favourite amd shows the meltwater from eastern side of Mount Cook running down towards Tekapo. We also walked up to Mount John Observatory where we were meant to do a telescope camera viewing but the clouds moved in unfortunately.

Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook National Park

Peppers Hotel

Ready for take off

Lake Tekapo backdrop

Streams feeding the lake

Glacier

Dog Statue

Mount John Observatory

Views across Lake Tekapo from Mount John

Church of the Good Shepherd