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

Talkland not Auckland! (where Heather and Fiona are concerned)

Arriving in Auckland is a 'dream come true' for me as I have a friend, Fiona Miles (nee McConnell), who emigrated to NZ with Nick and their 3 children over 20yrs ago.   I grew up with Fiona in Twickenham - our mothers had been childhood friends.  Fiona and I became very close friends when at Youth Fellowship (YF) in St Stephen's church back in 1973 and in 1978 we travelled together around America and Canada for a year with rucksacks and guitars.  My great longing has always been to come with Ken and see the Miles' in New Zealand so walking through the arrivals gate at the airport and being met by Fiona and Nick was so exciting, quite emotional and, 'the dream come true'!!

No one around, so selfie required!

This week has gone by so quickly - walks and picnics on beautiful beaches, trips to the city by ferry - exploring Auckland and most importantly, non-stop talking and catching up!!! 

Auckland Harbour

On Thursday Ken and I hired a car for a long weekend to take us to Katikati where we have been staying with Jo King's parents, Terry and Doreen - so lovely to see them again and be welcomed into their lovely home on the edge of the Bay of Plenty.  We visited McLaren Falls, somewhere near Tauranga, and then walked around Mount Maunganui ending the afternoon with the best fish and chips!!

McLaren Falls

Anastasia Doreen and Marj

Terry and Ken

We went on a long walk around Mount Maunganui

Today we head off across to the West coast to Raglan to stay with Vicky Stuart-Jones and family (another friend from my YF days) and more catching up!!

Our adventures continue with returning to Auckland (lots more talking still to do!!) and then on Tuesday we fly to Christchurch, collect a campervan and head off to explore the South Island.

Whilst travelling, Asha, the students and Ekta Vihar are always in our thoughts and prayers - and so when we heard that St Mary's and St. Peter's school in Teddington (where I used to teach) was having a special 'literacy curriculum focused week' we told them about the total lack of books in Ekta Vihar  and the desire Asha have to provide bookcases full of books in all their slums, for all ages and interests, to enable the children and students to borrow and enjoy stories and find out about the world.

St Mary's and St Peters (SMSP) immediately sent out a request to parents suggesting the children might like to bring a book to school that they would like to donate to Asha. At the end of the week, my son Simon, went and collected the books. He estimates there are 1,000!!! How amazing, and generous!! Thank you SMSP! 

We are now thinking of ways we can get the books shipped/brought to Delhi - anyone thinking of coming with room in their case, please let me know!! Or, perhaps you have another idea?  We are thinking and making enquiries but perhaps you can help. It would be amazing to get all the books there.  There is no hurry as we won't be back in Delhi until July (for a week) and then September for longer.

Now it's time to pack our bags and head off to Raglan.  Vicky and Shaun's dog will be waiting for his walk along the beach which we hope to join him for!

Best wishes to you all.

Heather and Ken xx

Ps. The bidding for the 'headless kangaroo photo' is reaching the millions - still time for an offer!!

Here, there and everywhere..... (last week in Sydney)

We hope you all had a lovely Easter weekend.  The Easter bunny did come to Paddington  - were they

pretending to be Bill and Judy? (see one of our earlier blogs).

On Sunday we set off across the harbour by ferry to Manly with Pete and Tilly (his lovely 2 year old) and walked beside the bay as the Asian Women's Beach Volleyball matches took place - exciting to watch with a backdrop of  waves bringing in the brave surfers!

We managed to get to St. Michael's Church for their evening service, a very intimate and small gathering.  Beautifully situated overlooking the harbour. We were warmly welcomed by Michael Palmer (the vicar).  As there were a few children present, he quickly adapted his talk to make it creative and fun - he used paper and by folding and cutting it, he told the Easter story (really clever) - I was busy taking notes in the hope I could use it myself one day!! Very enjoyable.

The rest of the week has been going here, there, and everywhere - so many wonderful places to see and so many beautiful bays and gardens to fall asleep in!! (We feel like we might be named "The English Vagrants").
If you have ever been to Neilsen's Bay, The Royal Botanic Gardens (full of very noisy cockatoos), Bronte Beach, Athol Beach (near the zoo) you will know what we mean by 'stunning'.


However, caution is needed when feeling like a quick cooling dip, as today at Athol Beach, gently testing the temperature of the water, we were joined by a SHARK!!!  Needless to say, we withdrew our feet!!

But lovely things do happen as during our walk along the coast towards Balmoral, a kookaburra sat patiently waiting for me to take a photo - how kind!!

We might be the only tourists to have captured the 'headless kangaroo' on camera!  We are selling the original photo for a vast sum - all proceeds to ASHA!!

We are packing tonight, ready for our flight to New Zealand on Friday morning.
It has been wonderful staying in the home of Ian and Sari England - many, many thanks for your open hospitality and friendship.

With Ian and Sari at the Icebergs Club overlooking Bondi Beach

Love and best wishes

Heather and Ken xx

Happy Easter from down under!

Last Friday we wrote our blog in Bangkok and tonight we are sitting in the home of Sari and Ian England (friends of Sally McHutchon) in Paddington, Sydney, Australia!!

Last July, when we were booking our flight to Delhi, our travel agent suggested that the best deal we could get was a ticket to Thailand with a stop-over for 6 months in Delhi. Looking at a world map, I said, "Australia is not to far from Thailand," (relatively speaking).  "Perhaps we should go there as well - we could see the Nash family." We had got to know Pete and Nic when they were at St Stephen's church but two years ago they returned to Sydney. So Australia was added to the travel ticket, for a two week visit before continuing to New Zealand (which is not far from Australia, so had to be added as well!).

Nic met us at the airport and we had a lovely weekend catching up with all their news and trying not to say the obvious to Phoebe and Xani, "Haven't you grown" etc. They are beautiful girls and have settled really well into new schools and Aussie life.

A quick update on where we have been:

Sunday morning - Hillsong Church with Nic -  very famous and very big and very lively! A good experience.
Monday - Pete took us to the Blue Mountains and Jenolan caves - beautiful scenery and stunning rock formations - the cave tour took 1 1/2 hours to walk through  - they are enormous! The photos never do them justice! We also saw a kangaroo!! (not in the cave but hopping along as we drove - awesome!)

Tuesday - Bondi Beach for a picnic and to watch the brave surfers.
Wednesday - Walked across Sydney Harbour Bridge taking in the stunning views of the Opera House.

That evening we met Matt Miles (the other son of Fiona and Nick Miles (NZ)), for a meal and big catch up!! Really lovely meeting you Matt, hope to see you again soon.
Thursday - Moved to Paddington - Sari and Ian's house, which they have generously given to us to stay in whilst they are away over Easter and until we fly to NZ next Friday. Scout, the Siamese cat, is getting to know Ken well - she loves a lap to sit on! They have also left us their car, so we took off to Watson's Bay - it is beautiful there!

Friday, today, the weather was quite cool and overcast (even some rain!!) but headed off with Pete to see Balmoral - a beautiful cove and small harbour area - perfect for a good coffee and watching the world go by.

Our next blog may be a day or two late, as we fly to NZ early Friday morning and we will be swept off our feet by our lovely friends Nick and Fiona (Fiona and I have SO much catching up to do!!!)
This is the Easter weekend - all the churches around us here have welcoming messages and banners asking us to join them to celebrate Easter Day - it reminds me of the invitation I heard many years ago - "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with me",  (Revelations 3:20) - and when we invite him in to our lives, he has a wonderful plan for our lives. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart". (Jeremiah 29: 11-13). Christ the Risen Lord looks for us during this Easter season to meet our needs.

Happy Easter

Heather and Ken xx