Repairs

Dougal looks happy because he has broken my truck on its first trip out! Stuart is underneath doing repairs (tying the bash plate back on with some string - I guess he had run out of number 8 wire). 

Stuck Already

Our New Truck

We finally got a 4WD. It's a 3 ltr turbo diesel Toyota Hilux Surf with all the extras. Dougal and Stuart took us out into the wops to put it through its paces. 

Wot no Dolphins?

After failing to see the whales at Kaikoura, we took Sarah to see the dolphins at Akaroa. Unfortunately the weather was bad and there wasn't a dolphin to be seen. On the way back the sky cleared and we saw this fantastic sunset across Akaroa harbour. Taken from the summit road. 

New Brighton Pier

Sarah and Tracy on the pier. The wind was cold. 

Toasting Bagels

Sarah and Tracy making supper in front of our log burner. 

Go Sis!

 

Sarah the Eagle

My sister is a mad boarder, but she is a good skier as well (just a tad better than her big bro). 

Ski Trip

The view across the Southern Alps from the top of Mt Hutt.

Skiing, Mt Hutt.

Sarah (on the right) and I went skiing at Mt Hutt, just 2 hours from chch. This is the view form the top of Mt Hutt, looking over the Rakaia valley.

No Caption Required!

From the walkway along Kaikoura peninsula, we could see a whole bunch of cool stuff written by placing rocks in the grass along the sea edge. This just about sums up how I was feeling. 

Three Fur Seals, Kaikoura

I can't take the credit for this, Sarah took this photo (cheers sis!).

Mountains to the Sea

The view of the Kaikoura range from the peninsula. We travelled up to see the whales, but it was too rough out at sea. On the coast the weather was fantastic and we got great views.

Me and my Sister.

My little sister Sarah visited in winter (she is snow mad!). Went for a walk to the devils punchbowl falls. It was very wet! 

Sarah Inside Jacksons Pub.

 

Jacksons Pub

A real old west coast pub. It was a cold, wet day, but inside the fire was warm and the food was good. I recommend the white bait sammies. 

Melbourne

I was working in the second of the two brown skyscrapers on the right. 

Yarra River, Melbourne

 

Melbourne from the Botanic Gardens

The gardens at Melbourne are some of the best I have seen. Its great to lie on the grass and enjoy the peace and quiet, while the glass skyscrapers tower on the horizon. 

Sunset on the Perfect Day

Wild cockatoos, kangaroos, whales, spectacular coastal scenery and a sunset over a beautiful beach to top it off. This was one of the greatest days of my life.

We eventually got back to Melbourne in the dark and in heavy rain. Never mind, we had a good final italian meal on Lygon Street and flew back to Christchurch the next day. 

'12' Apostles

These stacks are known as the 12 apostles, although there are only 8 now standing. Just a week before we arrived the ninth apostle collapsed. The pile of rubble at the bottom of the picture is all that remains. 

Southern Coastline

 

The Great Ocean Road

The south-west coast of victoria is a spectacular drive, known as the Great Ocean Road. 

There She Blows!

It was a cold winters day but the beach was beautiful and the sea air was invigorating. We could have watched the whales all day. I could not believe it. Woken by Cockatoos in the trees, wild kangaroos at the side of the road and now surfing whales on the beach. This whole country is like a giant zoo!

Southern Right Whale

I was a bit sceptical but we parked the car and walked 50 yards to the lookout spot. Straight away we saw a male and female whale and their young pup playing in the surf just a few yards away from us.

They were difficult to photograph but take my word for it. The black line is a whales nose poking out of the sea.