Getting hitched!

A lot of water under the bridge since Wellington now. We've now made it all the way to Wanaka in the South Island by way of Picton, Blenheim, Nelson, the Abel Tasman National Park and Fox Glacier.

Had planned to have a nice relaxing time, lying around, drink wine, reading books but this doesn't seem to be in either of our make-ups. There's always something great to see or do and even five weeks here has felt like a bit of a race. This is a big place and 16 hours of sitting on a bus doesn't seem to have got us far!

Before I go on to bore you all about our latest adventures in self destruction, for the majority of you that don’t yet know, while on a side walk from the Wanganui river, walking back from the “Bridge to Nowhere”, I asked Kel if she would fancy getting hitched. Strangely, and perhaps remarkably (to some), she did. And so, we are. We’ve had a great three years together as friends and things just seem to be getting better since that fateful night in Paris a year ago. No idea yet when or where. But sometime and somewhere is a racing certainty. I can speak for myself, and indeed, who else would, and say that I am very happy.

Right, back on to the important stuff!

Spent a great day in Blenheim in the middle of Marlborough wine country. Rented bikes and went to a few wineries starting at 11 in the AM, and rapidly became seasoned winos, less and less discerning, if indeed we ever were, as the day wore on. “Would you like to start with fizzy or the Sauv Blanc?” “What’s that in yer ‘and, that looks good”. Actually, we managed to finish the day only swaying gently on the bikes having pushed the stabilisers down at around three. Lovely wines. I plan to continue drinking regularly throughout my life.

After that we went to the North of South Island and went on a two day kayak followed by a day’s walk on the Abel Tasman Tramp (Tramp=Trek=Walk=one leg in front of t’other, repeatedly (alternate legs)). This is a coastal walk and if you like beaches, you would love this. Apart from the sandflies which I am growing to dislike almost as much as they seem to like me. It’s not always good to be popular. We saw seals and stingrays, and lots of sandflies. Sun, salt and sand, however, are not my favourite things. I hope we stick to rivers in future, at least they push you along gently.
Abel Tasman, by the way was a Dutch explorer who moored up near the Abel Tasman coastline. Clearly it wasn’t called the Abel Tasman coastline at this point. He sent a few of his men ashore to see what was going on. They were all killed by the locals before they made it ashore. They left.

We then headed down to Fox Glacier, which was lovely. It rained a lot and I had a long afternoon nap. Between naps we had a few walks and saw the sights which were awe inspiring, or “awesome” as they would have it. Photos Abound now at http://loadsapics.smugmug.com/ then go to “Travel” gallery.

I am planning to download lots more this evening.

Now arrived in Wanaka after another long bus journey through yet more towering mountains, dense rainforest and waterfalls. It is genuinely breathtaking, but on a warm, slightly sweaty bus full of travellers, you learn to control your emotions.

Lots of love,

Ben and the Missus