A Blogger in Black

Firstly, thank you to those that have read the first five parts of this epic trip to New Zealand and particularly for all your lovely comments. As I’ve said a few times in the past few years, I’m not looking to get as many hits as possible, it’s written more as something for me to look back on in the coming years – and jog what is likely to be an increasingly dodgy memory! At the time of writing we’ve been here two weeks and reading the blog posts and looking at the photo’s we’ve already done so much. In fact I’ve took – and kept – 720 photos so far, mostly on my ageing DSLR. I have enjoyed using it again and the minor inconvenience of carrying it around is certainly worth it. I like too that you take the picture then that’s it until they’re transferred to the laptop at the end of the day. No compulsion to immediately share as with ‘phone photos. More time is spent enjoying the moment, living in the now   and taking it all in. And there’s a lot to take in! I can’t help bu...

Sunday 24 th December Sandra:  It was time to hit the road again to make the final jump to just north of Wellington where we would be spending Christmas period before taking the ferry to the South Island on 27 th December.   It was a good job that Richard booked the motel at the beginning of the year as the place we are staying at is fully booked.   It is easy to see why, the rooms are scrupulously clean, air conditioning, laundry facilities and a swimming pool and small play area for children.   I was pleased to see that there was sufficient cooking facilities that we would be able to make an approximation of a Xmas Dinner – roast pork leg, pre-cooked and vacuum packed would heat up nicely in the electric oven cooker.   Carrots and new potatoes would cook on the conduction hob in the spotlessly clean pans.   A small hiccup when the back ring failed to work properly, so although dinner would be slightly longer in preparation, no matter. Over the din...