Closing in on the hairy feet and first sight of snow!

Monday 11th Feb

Picked up our camper van today. 6.3 meters and nattily arranged so that it includes pretty much most things you need including shower and loo. (The latter are just like a boat - those of you that have sailed will know how small this is!)

Our home for next 45 days!

Fridge cooker, microwave etc.

Seating area that turns into a large double bed

We set out from Auckland at lunch time on Monday. Originally we'd planned to drive straight down to Wellington that day and catch the ferry to South Island on Tuesday. Thankfully we listened to others who told us it would take a good 8 to 9 hours driving time so we settled on driving about half way. Stopped at Matamata for a break where we saw our first signs of Hobbits! Unfortunately we didn't have time for the full tour but will do this on our way back. 

"Hobbiton" Tourist Information Office

 We stayed in Turangi overnight- great spot for trout fishing but we arrived too late for that! Our first  experience of an NZ camp site was ok. There are various funny noises associated with camping and camper vans - not least the small twigs that fell onto the roof at night! We also learnt that if you don't park on a level site, the water in the shower doesn't run away very quickly! 

Tuesday 12 February. 

Carried on our journey to Wellington today. Did well but it was still about 6pm before we arrived, not helped by the first heavy traffic we've seen since arriving in NZ but then we did arrive in the Capital at rush hour! 

Highlights on the journey included our first sight of snow on a mountain range, partly hidden by cloud but a fab sight. 

Close up of the white stuff

Stopped for a break at somewhere I'm sure you'll all be familiar with as it's the gum boot wanging capital of NZ! Also known as Taihape. Great success here in that we each bought a hat (no weddings on the horizon, more about protection from the sun!) and found an excellent coffee shop thanks to the hat shop lady. If you're ever in Taihape - and the annual welly wanging competition is in early March so you should seriously consider a visit, have a drink at Le Cafe Telephonique which also does some interesting and very tasty food. 

Mike by Taihape's giant welly in his new hat!