Mark's thoughts....

Hope you are all reading Mark's blog too...accessed by clicking on Mark Brownlie to the left above this post, then on Mark Brownlie Blog.....i just read them and they made me laugh....and i am here with him!!!! go on...you know you want to!!!! xxx (i'm not biased or anything!)

Merry Christmas to you all!!!!

Have a fantastic festive season! We'll be thinking of you all from Canada!!!! xxxxx

Wairakei Golfing Experience

Hey there, One of Faye's relatives, Lynsey, whom we visited in Melbourne recommended a game of golf a Wairakei International Golf course so we played there the other day. The course was really nice and quite easy to play. It was kept in really good condition and was supposed to be one of the best in NZ. The whole place was very friendly. It was no probs to hire clubs and bag and trolley, etc. Not like the hoo-ha you get at home about the rules and formalities - such a pain. They didn't even want to see a handicap certificate or anything. Faye was my caddy for the day, which was really good. I thot that she would get bored but she seemed to enjoy it. I wasn't playing very well but I didn't let that ruin the day, I only pissed myself once or twice and ended up shooting a 95 which is pretty grim really but that wasn't the point! A fun day out was had by the both of us. I may even try to take the dreaded game up again at some point.... Games a bogie.

North Island!

Well, here we are at the end of our time in New Zealand....and what to say...except WOW! We have loved it, the scenary, the people, the activities...everything!!!! The north island has been great, Wellington was nice as it was the first time we had been to a city for a few weeks!!!! Quite a shock to the system! We adjusted by trips to the chinese, the pub and of course the museum!!!! (where we saw the worlds fastest Indian!!!!) From Wellington we headed north to Tangariro, where we did the crossing, then on to Taupo for our skydive!!! Also in Taupo we visited the craters of the moon - a volcanic area that looks much like the moon - steam and mud bubbling everywhere!!!, Huka Falls and Dam, and a Prawn Farm.....actually more interesting than it sounds...we got to feed baby prawns.....then we went to the restaurant and tasted them!!!! The Dam on Huka river is opened a number of times a day to regulate the flow of water, and watching that flow of water fill what was a relatively dry river bed was quite spectacular! We have learnt lots this week about thermal activity and volcanos, as the route we have taken up across the north island takes us through the Taupo volcanic zone. We have seen geyzers, mud pools, steam vents, sulphur caves....all sorts! We spent two days in Rotorua soaking in the thermal pools and mud....apparently very good for the skin (and any aches and pains....which was good for my sore bum!!!) We then visited Whakatane (pronounced Fa-Ka-Tarn-Nee)...where we did a boat trip out to White Island....one of New Zealand's two live volcanos! The whole island is the volcano and we landed on a side where a landslide had collapsed the crater wall. We then had over an hour tour around the crater itself!!!! Gas mask and hard hat at the ready!! "Choice!" Now we have reached Aukland, and have met up with Alison, one of my best friends from Uni......we have chilled out and relaxed....oh, and me and Alison rekindled those dancing shoes with a visit to Boogie Wonderland last night.....the dance floor didn't know what had hit it! We spend our last night in New Zealand tonight out for a lovely meal and then on to the Casino......well.....we do have 7 more months to fund!!!!! xxxx

Taupo Volcanic Zone!

Taupo...we jumped out of a plane!!!

Wow! Well after 2 days trying to get a chance to do a skydive, but it being cancelled due to cloud...we finally did it yesterday! (I have to say the cloud wasn't really bothering me that much, i wouldn't have minded missing it!!!!) But i am glad we did it! Everyone had said Lake Taupo was the best place to skydive and it was amazing.....the lake is formed from a huge volcanic eruption thousands of years ago, and it is awesome in size, you cannot imagine how big it is.....the only way to see it all is from the sky! So, once dressed in our oh so fetching jump suits, strapped to our 'pilots' and squeezed into the smallest plane in the world....we were off! Nervous is an understatement! Although, i have to say....once in the plane and flying it was actually better! I elected to go out first, so, once at 15,000 feet, the side of the plane rolled open, and i felt the first rush of cold air! I had to lean back on Mike (my pilot), tuck my feet under and hold on....we then rolled out of the plane! 60seconds freefall took us straight down to 5,000 feet.....wow! It was exactly like those comedy cartoons where cheeks and jaws are pushed back into funny fluid movements and you can't move because of the wind! And, i have the dvd to prove it!!! oh yes, we went for full tourist package and got a dvd, and Mike just so happened to capture my oh so attractive wobbly lips and cheeks all the way down!!!! Mark looks a little better in his! Damm it! The freefall was an adrenalin rush, but the best bit for me was once the parachute opened and we could look around....from 5,000ft it took another 5 minutes with the parachute to reach the ground, and what an amazing 5 minutes, the view was beautiful.....definitely the highlight for me! I just love hanging in the air like that, so peaceful! Landing for me was, however, not quite so peaceful.....Mark was already down, and thought we looked as if we were coming in a bit fast....basically we landed with a thud....hard....on our bottoms!!!!! i have the bruise to prove it! Sitting is now a little delicate!!!! Mike was very apologetic...apparently that isn't the normal landing - a treat for me - why thank you!!!!!! Anyway, it was amazing, i'm glad we did it, and we were exhausted afterwards!!!! As well as a DVD (which you can all watch at one of numerous showings next year!), we also got some pictures taken for us, so those will be on here soon!!!!! We did it!!!! Lots of festive love xxxxx

Middle Earth crossed! (Tongariro Crossing!)

Well we did it...tongariro crossing...today.....but i still couldn't tell you what it looks like.....not only did we do 8 hrs hiking around the mouth of a volcano....we did it in the driving rain and cloud, soaked to the skin (even with our gortex and 20 layers!) and with visibility of about an arms length!!!!!! ah well, we made it, was actually quite magical and mysterious being in that terrain and not being able to see anything....it was like being in lord of the rings with Frodo......the swamp of ghosts, the ash littered climbs, the cooled lava rocks, the sulphuric hot springs!!! we did see the emerald lake, and the sun came out after about 5 hours...which cheered the spirit no end! but, we still haven't seen into the mouth of a volcano!!! but never fear....we haven't left new zealand yet!!!!! Ahhhhhhh a warm bath! xxxx

Meeting people....going our way??

We have met so many people over the last week....and repeatedly met them!!!! Germans we met in Wanaka were also in Franz! British people that were on our Glacier walk in Fox, were also on our kayak tour in Abel Tasman....and are now doing what we are doing on the North Island...so chances are we'll see them again - hello to Robert and Angela!!! Irish people we met in Fox, were in the museum in Wellington today!!!! Tis a small world....and people are following us!!!!! I love it! xxx

Activity week....we are becoming quite the outdoors type!

So, our walk in Wanaka....well, we had had it recommended by Papa (Mark Gilbert who i work with....we call him Papa as he is the only male in a team of all women....lucky him!!!!). Anyway....he had recommended we go to Wanaka, and walk to Mount Aspiring Hut....now Papa is a bit of a hiker, come climber, so this wasn't going to be a sunday afternoon strol! But we thought we'd take him up on the recommendation! There were a choice of walks, and instead of heading to the hut, a 6 hour return walk, we decided to walk to the base of Rob Roy Glacier....4 hours return, and a chance to see a glacier. It was amazing....up and down over rocks, glacial rivers, through forest and across fields (with sheep and cows in!). We had packed lunch and taken plenty of water, so we were prepared...we looked strangely professional actually!!!! We reached the foot of the glacier in 2 hours....and it was amazing...you can see from the picture how far we walked through the forest to reach it. And what a great feeling to reach somewhere that not many people do, and to have got there under our own steam, it was a great feeling, and i can understand why Papa loves it so! We spent an hour relaxing at the glacier base, (and i had my sandwhich stolen by a Kea - very crafty giant parrots!!) Then we headed back to the car.....all in all it took us about 5 hours return (with our break)...we were exhausted by the end of the day, but it was oh so worth it!!! We were also quite proud of ourselves as to reach the start of the walk we had to drive through a number of fords.....water across the road....we negotiated these well!!!! The next day we headed on to Fox Glacier, where we hoped to do a helihike....you get helicoptered out to the centre of the glacier and you spend time walking around in the ice caves.....this was another low point though, as this is very weather dependant! Over the course of 3 days we attempted to do this 5 times! In all cases the trip was cancelled due to low cloud and rain...it just wasn't safe to fly! Fate definitely played a hand there!!! But.....to not be beaten....we embarked on the glacier hike instead....where you hike to the base of the glacier, then climb up the foot of it and on to the top! Wow, it was hard work, you would look at where the guide said you were about to climb and it looked vertical....but we did it!!!! We got to wear sexy crampons to grip the ice and walk with a stick, so we looked very professional again!!!!! Not being able to do the helihike was a huge disappointment, and really brought a cloud to last thursday, but by friday when we had done the walk, everything seemed sunny again!!! Then there was Sunday's sea kayaking in Abel Tasman.....the remote north peninsula of the south island......the morning started out much like any other kayak we had done, and we spent two hours with our group and guide gently kayaking up the coastline, seeing gorgeous sandy bays and seal islands up close.....then the wind got up.....and was blowing in the opposite direction to the way we were going!!!! Wow.....was i glad of all those years of samba.....my arms were working so hard.....you couldn't stop otherwise you got blown backwards.....waves were huge, kayak was going up and down...and we were getting quite quite wet!!!! For about 1hr30 we battled against the wind and waves to finally reach the bay we were aiming for.....it was hard, and a huge challenge, but oh so rewarding, and quite an accomplishment....the guide was tempted to turn back, but the whole group wanted to go for it, so we did.....and we made it! Another completely exhausting, but hugely exhilerating day!!!!!! And it doesn't stop there...we are off tomorrow to Tongariro, and hope to hike the Tongariro Crossing on Friday.....8 hours one way across volcanic terrain!!!!! We shall see what happens!!! (as well as scenary we are motivated by the tales of special muds that are bottled there and sold as hugely expensive face creams....."of course i need to take all those empty bottles with me officer!!!") To be continued...... xxxxx

West Coast travels! South Island traversed!

Howdie! Well we are now in Wellington, capital of New Zealand and by far the largest place we have visit in this country so far! It was kind of strange actually returning to a city after 3 weeks of small towns and settlements! Nice though, we immediately settled in and went for a chinese!!!! So, what a week we have had travelling up the west coast of the south island...ups and downs definitely....but the lesson realy has been that you can do anything, or make anything right if you just believe! As well as Paragliding and jet boating in Queenstown we also did the Luge....a down hill go kart type thing that goes quite fast!!!! Watch those corners!!! We also visited the Kiwi Bird Park, which was really interesting and a great place to learn about some of New Zealand's native birds, and see some kiwis close up....they really are quite strange!!!! On Tuesday when we came to leave we had our first taste of downs.....we returned to our car to find it had been hit and the tail light and bumper were missing! In true New Zealander style though there was nothing to worry about.....the guy that had done it had given his details to the hostel staff, and was completely happy to claim all responsibility....so off to the dealer to see what they said.....the car was too damaged for us to continue with, so they swapped us for another one no worries. The other driver evencame into the office with us to sort everything....because he did this they were happy he would pay up so luckily they didn't take any of our excess!!! We were relieved!!!! So, but for a few hours delay.....we ended up with a new car (although an older model we preferred it as it was more like the cars we are used too!!!!), and no loss to us at all!!!! ups again! It was then on to Wanaka, which is not too far from Queenstown and holds a huge lake and is the gateway to many mountains! We visited Puzzle World that afternoon and had great fun in 'The World's Funniest Maze' - it was quite humourous......i have wanted to do a big outdoor maze for ages!!! Me and Mark worked really well as a team.....although i found the right way first of course!!!!! hehehehe ;-) It was then indoors for more puzzles and strange sensory mischief! There was a room that was completely tilted, you could do the lean that Michael Jackson does in Moonwalker film without falling over.....it was fab! Did mess with your head a bit though, so we didn't stay long! There was also a room that made you grow and shrink!!!!! We spent the evening at the cinema, the cinema in Wanaka is fab.....it was started by a Scottish man years ago, and is apparently modelled on a cinema in Inverness! You sit on sofas or lounge chairs, or even in the back seat of a VW Beatle, you get fresh homemade cookies and ice cream, and there is an interval half way through!!! It was a great experience! Talking of films we went to see 'The World's Fastest Indian' while in Queenstown.....i would recommend everyone go see it.....it is fab, quite emotional, but feel good!!!! And today in the Welington museum we actually saw the bike on display!!!! Anyway...back to Wanaka.....well we spent Wednesday doing a big hike, but i'll write about that in another blog! The rest of the week was spent heading from Wanaka up to Fox and Franz Joseph Glaciers, then from there up to Nelson, where we did a day's sea kayaking in Abel Tasman, before heading on to Picton to catch the ferry across to the North Island! We have had quite an activity filled week....those that know us well would be surprised!!!! (oh and we finally saw Harry Potter!!!!) A little tale that maybe Mark should tell happened while driving the 8 hours from Franz Joseph to Nelson.....but he is not here, so i will tell!!!!.......we got stopped by the police! (and no, we weren't dancing this time!!!) Mark was going 115 in 100 zone.....and a police car caught us and pulled us over.....it was a bit scary....but basically he gave mark a ticket and a fine, but then said, "don't pay this fine, you'll get a reminder at home, just ignore that and you wont hear anything else, just keep the ticket as a souvenir and stay below 110!" phew!!!! I love New Zealand!!!! So, our South Island tour comes to an end....now the North begins!!!!! xxxx PS...we also had a drink in an ice bar, and Mark visited some Roman toilets...complete with Romans - can you spot his school boy error???!!