Homeward Bound

At present in LA waiting for flight home - that is if British Airways are flying! At the moment it looks as if we can get to London, but not to Jersey. Will have to wait and see what happens!!

Hawaii was good, although the old bodies are feeling the strain, so we did as we said and chilled out in the sunshine. Went on some interesting trips, including one to the Big Island that involved a 3.50am start - that wasn't a chill out day!!!

LA is as hectic and barmy as ever. It rained yesterday and the whole population went into panic and hibernated!! Venice Beach was deserted - the only people on the streets were those shopping on Rodeo Drive.

It has been a great trip that we have thoroughly enjoyed, but now we are ready to sleep in our own bed, having slept in 32 others.

Love to all

Wanganui

At present at Robert and Jennifer's in Wanganui. They are being incredibly hospitable and welcoming. It is great to be in New Zealand accompanied by local knowledge. We were taken to the local pub last night and on a trip around their delightful little town today. We actually don't really want to leave New Zealand and we have only a few days left to enjoy it. We'll definitely be coming back ASAP!!!!!! Next time we intend to linger longer in fewer places and explore more.
We still have Napier and Rotorua to visit, then its off to Honolulu.
Love to all xx

South Island

The South Island of New Zealand has to be one of the most beautiful places on earth. Not often I run out of words, but there are no words to describe it. At every twist ond turn in the road there is another magnificent view.
At present I am typing this with the most stunning view of Mount Cook out of the window!!
There have been so many fantastic sights and experiences in the last few days that we will be boring you all with them for months to come!!
-We saw albatrosses nesting and soaring on the Otago Peninsula.
-Doubtful and Milford Sound were from another timeless world.
- The water of the lake here is a genuine turquoise blue.
-We saw completely circular boulders on the beach at Moeraki
and so on and so on---- photos to come when we get back.
We are now on day 49 of the trip and are generally holding up pretty well - although it is becoming increasing hard to get moving in the mornings!!!
The 'Fiji' situation is now completely sorted - we are bypassing Fiji and going straight to Honolulu via Sydney. That will be R and R time when we begin to get grounded for the return home.
It feels as if we have been away for such a long time, but in other ways it seems to have gone very quickly.
The mobile phone network in New Zealand has gone crazy over the last few weeks. I sent texts to wish you all a Happy New Year, but don't think they got through the ether. So a belated Happy New Year to you all!!

New Zealand, definitely 'The Land of the Long White Cloud'

Sorry it has been so long, but we have been too busy to blog!!!!
Sydney was good - apart from a 'rocket ride' around the harbour, which 'did' Sydney in what seemed like 2 minutes! We went back the next day and booked a slower ride more appropriate to our advancing years!!!
Thought about climbing the Harbour Bridge - for about 30 seconds - after seeing several maniacs attempting it. Had meal in Doyle's on the harbour which has possibly the best view from a restaurant in the world (with the possible exception of the Oxo Tower!!!!!)
We sorted out the Fiji situation and are returning to Sydney on 16 th Jan before flying to Hololulu the following day - staying at the Rocks as that is where the action is!!!
Flight to Auckland was fine and it was great to see Kate for Christmas. We had a good few days together, including the wettest harbour trip ever!!! She agreed with us that the scenery in New Zealand was absolutely spectacular, especially when the sun shines. The myth perpetuated by Aussies and Kiwis the the weather is always perfect in Summer is an antipodean myth!!!! The general rule is 'if you don't like the weather, wait for 15 minutes and it will change', actually is very accurate.
We are now in the South Island having flown from Auckland to Christchurch. Christchurch was fine. although we didn't have too much time to explore it. We then drove from Christchurch to Fox Glacier yesterday in torrential, pouring rain! The helicopter flight was booked for today, we arrived at the hotel to find they did not have a booking for us and every restaurant in the town was full for dinner!!! What a good job that, although old, we are adaptable!!! All of the problems were sorted out and we awoke today to a beautiful, sunny, crisp day and went on our planned helicopter trip to Fox Glacier. It was fantastic!!!!!!! Short helicopter trip over Franz Josef Glacier and then a landing on Fox. Deep, virgin snow and unbelievable views - photos to follow!! A great, unforgettable experience which we will undoubtably be boring you all with for years to come!
We then went for a long walk to the head of the glacier for some more fantastic views and photographs.
We leave tomorrow for New Year's Eve in Queenstown and hopefully some more adventures - we are both surprised at how well we are standing up to the strain of travelling - be warned, we have got the bug and will be returning!!!!!
Love to all and Happy New Year.

Sydney 2

Sydney definitely does NOT close @ 9 o'clock. Went and had a fabulous Japanese meal at a sushi bar and a long wander back to hotel. About to hit the town in daylight - Opera House, Bridge etc - after we have been to Quantas to see if they can re-arrange flights to Hawaii. We have decided to spend longer in Hawaii in view of the fact we are having to miss out Fiji. We have been in touch with travel agents in Jersey and cancelled the hotel. Now just have to sort out the rest!!! Love to all.

G'day from Sydney

Plane from Perth was 4 hours late, so when we got to Melbourne all we could do was collapse. Went out adventuring the next day and decided what we would leave until the following day, so that we could have time to enjoy it. However, the following day we woke to very high temperatures - 35 plus!!!! - and very thick enveloping smoke. There were bush fires flaring all over Victoria, apparently caused by lightning strikes, and weather conditions were causing them to join up. Consequently, our day of sight seeing in Melbourne had to be curtailed. A shame as we thought it was a place well worth investigating - next time perhaps!!!
We also had to change our plans for the following few days as our planned route would have taken us right through the fire zone, which had then spread to having a fire front of 60 miles!!!!!
We went north of the Alpine region and had a great time in small town Oz. The food and wine were sensational - who said I would lose weight when I was on holiday!!!!
We have now just arrived in Sydney, shattered but fine, and about to set 'out to do the town' after spending time in places where everyone was in bed asleep for 9 0'clock!!!!!!
Love to all!!

Perth Airport

Waiting for flight to Melbourne. We have been south to Albany via Dunsborough. A very long drive but very worthwhile. Scenery was amazingly English. One moment you could be driving through the New Forest, the next in any of the agricultural area of any English shire.
Dunsborough was a good laugh - only one restaurant open at 8 o'clock in the evening! When we asked why we were told 'It's Monday and it's Dunsborough - they open when they feel like it!'
We may have to change some of our future plans as the climate and military leaders appear to be against us. There has been a miltary coup in Fiji and there are bush fires raging all over Victoria - a wait and see policy is in effect! Will keep you posted of our future movements!!!!
Love to all - is anybody reading this? Please send us some comments!!!