Blog started in Auckland Airport and finished in Hanoi

We are sitting in Auckland airport waiting for our flight at 00.15 to Hanoi in Vietnam with a short stopover in Kuala Lumpur - it's going to be an 11 hour journey to KL and then another 3 hours or so to Hanoi, so we wanted to get the blog written now. We may not be able to use Blogger or Facebook in Vietnam.

Our last week in Auckland has been lovely. We were very blessed with beautiful weather resulting in the need for ice cream!!

Very good ice cream!

Fiona's birthday present arrived. Yes, it is a Tressy doll - anyone 'our age' will remember the 60's craze for a doll who's hair grew!! Sadly, Fiona missed out on such a treat when she was young and has always craved one, so, not to disappoint, I tracked one down and her childhood is now complete!!! Thanks Rose for helping with all the postage etc.

Fiona and Tressy

It has been a bit of a 'Brown' week with a lovely walk on Brown's Bay.

The Browns on Browns Bay

Followed by a trip to meet Ken's nephew Darren and his family. We loved meeting Danielle, Jess, Izzy and Harriet - enjoying coffee and cakes in their new Coast Cakes shop and hearing about their new life in NZ - we wish you every success in your cake business.

 

Darren, Dani and family (Izzy was with friends)

On our way to Shakespeare National Park, we stopped at Little Manly Bay as dolphins had been spotted there that day - how exciting to see two dolphins enjoying the bathers and paddle boarders - seeing nature in its natural habitat is always such a thrill. 

Two dolphins near the paddle boarder

We then had a beautiful walk in Shakespear Regional Park and came across the picture frame - quirky idea for the perfect shot!

Careful balancing before I fell off! (its higher than it looks)   - what a picture!!

Army Bay is part of the Park - we have a video with the sounds of the waves and seagulls to listen to when we're back in Delhi!

Now we are on our way again - saying goodbye to our fabulous time in NZ and special friends. We will miss you but hopefully catch up again one day soon!

Ken looks like he is hitching a lift (he is!) but I am flying!

The driver waved at Ken - but stopped for Heather!

We hope to be able to keep to our Friday blogs, but not sure if that will be possible until we reach Thailand.  We are about to start an 18 day tour with Intrepid Travel, of Vietnam and Cambodia.  It's going to be very busy and exciting.  

So it's good night from me, and it's good night from him.

Heather and Ken X

Wow, wow, and more wows

We are travelling through countryside that is just so stunning! We couldn't have imagined how unique and beautiful the landscape is here in the South Island of New Zealand. 

The mountains are like rolling hills interspersed with beautiful green/blue lakes and cascading waterfalls with the quick glimpse of snow capped Mount Cook every now and again.

This blog will be all about the photos as words are inadequate (I can hear you saying, "thank goodness!!!").

A beautiful river running beside a mountain range

Yet another beautiful view! 

Milford Sound

Grey seal at Milford Sound specially placed for tourists (he is real!)

Milford Sound

Our Happy Campers van! Always in need of a cup of tea!

On the way to somewhere spectacular!

Lake Wanaka

Franz Josef Glacier in the background

Franz Josef

On our final journey - Heather snapped this amazing photo

Lake Hawea

Sunset in Greymouth

Sun set from the beach in Greymouth, our penultimate night in the van - every campsite we have stayed in has been brilliant, lovely showers, kitchens and lounges, some with log fires and lots of opportunities to meet others travelling and enjoy hearing their stories and sharing ours.

We end our time in the South Island travelling across Arthur's pass to Christchurch - another spectacular journey with Heather having to leap from the van to take yet more photos!! They will be lovely memories to look back on and share with you.

 

Friday was a 'domestic' day with sorting out the van ready to hand back and doing all the chores we had left undone till then - a quick flight and we are now back with Fiona and Nick in Auckland - it's good to be home!!

We should be writing our next blog having just arrived in Hanoi next Friday.

A word of warning: Vietnam is a Communist country and it blocks Facebook; we’re not sure if Vietnam also blocks Blogger. Bear with us if our blog and/or Facebook posts are late.    

See you then.

Heather and Ken xx

It's one small step for NZ and a GIANT leap into a camper for Ken and Heather!!

Kia ora (this means 'Hello' in Maori - although some of you may remember this as the name of an orange juice sold in the UK, especially at cinemas, some years ago).  

Our journey continues from when we left you last week in Katikati. Some of you will know that Simon, my son, and Katie, my new daughter-in-law, spent a year travelling around NZ in 2014 - we now seem to be following in their footsteps and having the pleasure of meeting some of the lovely people they 'woof'd' for ('woofing' - working on organic farms).  One such person is Dave, who owns an enormous kiwi orchard near Katikati. It was great hearing about Simon and Katie's hard work on the farm which two years later has helped produce a bumper crop!! We took beer and Dave gave us delicious golden kiwis!!

Ken and Dave with beer (a gift from Simon and Katie)

We then went on to Raglan (West Coast) and made it in time for Merlin’s walk (Merlin is an Elk hound) along the beach.  We stayed with Vicky and Shaun Stuart-Jones - Vicky (nee Short) used to be in YF with me at St Stephen's Church 37 years ago! (Good friendships really do last!!).

Vicky regularly paddle boards across the estuary on Sunday mornings for her coffee - we enjoyed kayaking (Ken bravely took Merlin or perhaps it was Merlin who was the brave one!!!) - the coffee, views and serenity of the water were definitely worth it.

Ken and Vicky with Merlin 

Vicky and Shaun with the ubiquitous Merlin 

A lovely trip around the estuary to see the 'pancake rocks' and inlets was beautiful!

Heather now knows how to take photos from a video!

Nonstop talking seems to be the way in NZ (Ken's comment: I'm not convinced this has anything at all to do with NZ) - we had a lovely time sharing all our news, family catch ups and future ideas and plans.  Vicky and Shaun have their own Pilates studio in Hamilton. If you need to 'stretch out' or need a specific exercise for an ache or pain, Vicky can provide one for you via her website: www.pilatescentre.co.nz

Thanks Vicky, Shaun and Merlin for your lovely hospitality at your quiet weekend 'batch'.

A drive back to Birkenhead - drop off car and repack ready for our flight to the South Island.

On Tuesday we arrived in Christchurch and picked up our 'home' for the next 11 days.

White Van Man with wife - Happy Campers - Hi di hi!

Christchurch, as you will remember, was very badly hit by an earthquake in 2011.  It is still recovering - there are many buildings needing to be rebuilt, wide spaces of land where ruins have been removed and a lot of building work taking place.  We spent some time walking around the centre, feeling the shock, sadness and devastation as well as the hope, perseverance and new life.  

Ok, now for some more beautiful places where we have been staying - you may know them too!

Lake Tekapo - enjoyed the lake views and also the hot tubs!

Ken playing Superman on the shore of Lake Tekapo

Queenstown - gondola ride up Bob's Peak with incredible views, luge rides down, gasping at the bungee jumpers and then visiting Simon and Katie's 'woofing' friends in Frankton, Queenstown, Paul, Paula and boys - lovely to meet you!

Gondola on Bob's Peak

Ken and Heather 'luging' at Bob's Peak

Chair lift down from the luge

Update on 'Books for Ekta Vihar' - Simon has a contact with FedEx who has indicated that ALL the books could be sent by them, either free of charge or at 75% of the cost - this would be amazing!!!  We are waiting for more news.  Thank you to all of you who have been sharing your ideas and praying! Have a look at Asha on Facebook who have a page about their 'Book Drive': www.facebook.com/ashasociety1

As Spring comes to England, Autumn is showing its beautiful colours on the trees in the South Island. The evenings are getting chillier, but the days have so far been sunny and warm. 

 

We have been warm and cosy in the van, but Vicky might be getting an email shortly asking for help over stiff necks, aching backs, frozen knees and rigid toes - other than that, we're fine!!!  Just 5 more nights to go!

E noho ra   (Goodbye)

Love

Heather and Ken

xx