OK folks, South Island shenanigans. Took the ferry across the Cook Strait (a lovely journey) and arrived at the small town of Picton, where we got a coach down to Kaikoura. Checked into our accomodation and headed into the town, settling on the Strawberry Tree bar with its jukebox, free pool table and Sheep Shaggers beer. Spent the night eating, drinking and playing pool. Woke up fresh the next day for our latest adventure - whale watching! Successfully avoided losing our lunches (well, our all-day breakfasts) during our boat trip and saw loads of sperm whales; apparently seeing one or two is good but we must have seen about 10 or 15. Splendid stuff. In the afternoon we had a brief tour around Kaikoura Winery and did some tasting (we swallowed - spitting is rude, as any man will tell you), ending up a bit pissed actually. We had some dinner and then headed out to the Strawberry Tree again, where we met some other Derby folk from Littleover. The girl in the group said she used to show the bouncers her boobs to get into Zanzibar and i had to resist the temptation to say "wahey, get 'em out love!". Played pool with them for much of the night and woke up feeling a bit ropey ahead of our trip down to Christchurch. Arriving at the aforementioned place where we were to spend but one night, we got into our accomodation and then decided to go and see a moviev - Confetti. A bit girly, but it's got Stephen Mangan in it so it's worth it.

The next day we took the famously beautiful Tranz Alpine railway journey from Christchurch to Greymouth, encountering some pant-wettingly splendid scenery during the trip. I tell you, if the thought of snow capped mountains, ice-cold rivers and all manner of flora and fauna gets your juices flowing then that is a journey you should take. Took a coach from Greymouth to Franz Josef and checked into our luxury motel room (a tv set complete with Neighbours!!) and found somewhere to eat. Coincidentally there was a pub quiz on that night so we entered. We came 4th, just 3 points off a prize. Not bad for 2 of us, eh?
The next day was the big one: climbing the Franz Josef Glacier. Gulp. Guided by an intrepid and amiable Dubliner called Gavin, armed with an ice axe, we scaled the beast. At points the ice was sky blue (the Rayleigh Effect, for any nerds who are interested) and quite a sight. It was also bloody wet.

Moving on the day after we endeavoured to retrace our steps back to Christchurch, but were thwarted at the second hurdle: no train due to a derailment somewhere or other. So we were shipped onto a coach and driven to Christchurch, from where i am writing now.
Today has been a day of refinement - we've got class you know - and the true cultural pleasures of life. Unlike you plebs sitting back home in grey old Blighty, some of us have been punting on the river Avon (not the one in Bristol, obviously) and riding historic Christchurch trams. Some of us have just been around the cathedral. Some of us have been to the aquarium and kiwi house, seeing real live kiwis. And some of us have now ran out of things to tell you. So there.
I hope that didn't bore the arse right off you. In fact, i'm probably just writing to myself now, aren't i? Well that technically would make me insane, so i'm off. Bye!

OK folks, South Island shenanigans. Took the ferry across the Cook Strait (a lovely journey) and arrived at the small town of Picton, where we got a coach down to Kaikoura. Checked into our accomodation and headed into the town, settling on the Strawberry Tree bar with its jukebox, free pool table and Sheep Shaggers beer. Spent the night eating, drinking and playing pool. Woke up fresh the next day for our latest adventure - whale watching! Successfully avoided losing our lunches (well, our all-day breakfasts) during our boat trip and saw loads of sperm whales; apparently seeing one or two is good but we must have seen about 10 or 15. Splendid stuff. In the afternoon we had a brief tour around Kaikoura Winery and did some tasting (we swallowed - spitting is rude, as any man will tell you), ending up a bit pissed actually. We had some dinner and then headed out to the Strawberry Tree again, where we met some other Derby folk from Littleover. The girl in the group said she used to show the bouncers her boobs to get into Zanzibar and i had to resist the temptation to say "wahey, get 'em out love!". Played pool with them for much of the night and woke up feeling a bit ropey ahead of our trip down to Christchurch. Arriving at the aforementioned place where we were to spend but one night, we got into our accomodation and then decided to go and see a moviev - Confetti. A bit girly, but it's got Stephen Mangan in it so it's worth it.

The next day we took the famously beautiful Tranz Alpine railway journey from Christchurch to Greymouth, encountering some pant-wettingly splendid scenery during the trip. I tell you, if the thought of snow capped mountains, ice-cold rivers and all manner of flora and fauna gets your juices flowing then that is a journey you should take. Took a coach from Greymouth to Franz Josef and checked into our luxury motel room (a tv set complete with Neighbours!!) and found somewhere to eat. Coincidentally there was a pub quiz on that night so we entered. We came 4th, just 3 points off a prize. Not bad for 2 of us, eh?
The next day was the big one: climbing the Franz Josef Glacier. Gulp. Guided by an intrepid and amiable Dubliner called Gavin, armed with an ice axe, we scaled the beast. At points the ice was sky blue (the Rayleigh Effect, for any nerds who are interested) and quite a sight. It was also bloody wet.

Moving on the day after we endeavoured to retrace our steps back to Christchurch, but were thwarted at the second hurdle: no train due to a derailment somewhere or other. So we were shipped onto a coach and driven to Christchurch, from where i am writing now.
Today has been a day of refinement - we've got class you know - and the true cultural pleasures of life. Unlike you plebs sitting back home in grey old Blighty, some of us have been punting on the river Avon (not the one in Bristol, obviously) and riding historic Christchurch trams. Some of us have just been around the cathedral. Some of us have been to the aquarium and kiwi house, seeing real live kiwis. And some of us have now ran out of things to tell you. So there.
I hope that didn't bore the arse right off you. In fact, i'm probably just writing to myself now, aren't i? Well that technically would make me insane, so i'm off. Bye!