My Journey to Christchurch...

... was not the high light of my trip! 8 hours in a cramped bus (no leg room) which had a busted sound and air conditioning system. It just so happened to be a really hot day so everyone on the bus was really hot and there was a prevailing smell of sweat. 8 HOURS!\

On the up side however there was some amazing scenery. The man made lake by Mount Cook was a stunning brilliant aqua blue. Ill put a photo up soon of it. 

My next couple of week is spent with Shona who lives on her hobby farm just outside of Christchurch. She is an American who has lived in New Zealand since 1992 and works as a scientist, studying pastures. My tasks are basically weeding. Joined her at her Salsa class on Thursday and I realised how frustrating it is when your partner doesn't know how to move and keep a beat. I had a lot of fun with the partners I had who did know what they were doing. I must start going to salsa class when I get back to Manchester.

Today has been a bit of a slow moving day. Me and Shona read from 9-12 noon. I am reading 'Persuasion' by Jane Austen at the moment and really enjoying it. Mmmmm Captain Wentworth! I will probably finish it tomorrow, so Shona has suggested that I spend the day in CHCH where I will nip and get another book. Shona is reading about Uganda as she went to Africa in September. Shona is making authentic Mexican tonight. I hope I like it!

Bottom Bus and Milford Sounds

The Bottom Bus hit the towns of Invercargill, Te Anau and the a day trip to Milford Sounds, then back to Queenstown for two nights before I am off to Christchurch.

Highlight was Milford Sounds. Everything was perfect. The bus driver was funny and very informative. The passangers were easy to talk to and I had a laugh with. The weather was bright blue sky. The drive there was a highlight in itself! Amazing what nature can do. I seen a cushion today and it said "Nature never makes mistakes" and it is so true! Milford Sounds area was carved out by glaciers, MASSIVE glaciers. I sat at the front of the bus so I got the best of the scenery. It was such a fun drive there and the actual boat trip was really nice. Got a lavish buffet and a trip to an underwater observatory.  Has to be the highlight of the trip!

My last couple of days in Queenstown was just hanging out with people that I previously met, saying goodbyes, drinking at the Dux's and going to see New Moon which was an alright film.

moooooooooo

On the Farm in Mosgeil, Dunedin, I have milked some cows!

Granted it wasn't the traditional way, still have that to try. It was with automated suckers. You had to be on constant watch for the raising of the tail and it was the luck of the draw as to what came out... mushy or solid! It is really hard graft and the people who work there get up for 5 in the morning and do the same thing twice a day with 600 cows! I am glad I only had to do one shift of it!

This past week I have really been gardening. Weeding in the chilling south westerly wind and blazing sunshine today (I think I have burnt my ear). Other duties has been the cooking! I LOVE COOKING! Twice I have coked my apple and ginger sponge cake, best served hot with ice cream. It such a change from the manky really cheap unhealthy meals I have had in the hostels. I have used heeeerrrrbbbs! Garlic! And I have had VEG!

My company has been really good with Kerry and Alan. I have chatted about cooking, rugby and films! Kerry was kind enough to take me to see a New Zealand director's latest film "The Vintner's Luck" which you can read about on my film blog. Also Alan made me watch a New Zealand film "Once were warriors" (also on my film blog).

I am back to Dunedin tomorrow to start again on the "Bottom bus" on Friday which will take me to Invercargill (another Scottish settled town). Good week in all respects!

Farm Life

For the past couple of days I have been living on a farm with Kerry and Alan.

Today.... I have never been near so many cow rear ends in my life!
I milked the cows! It was OK but I am glad I don't have to do it as my living. Hats off to those who do!

Today I also gardened! Yes Mum! I gardened! And I am surprised to say I liked it! Bring on my own wee garden when I get home!

Queenstown

Thus has ended, one week in the place known as Queenstown. And what a week!

Queenstown started as a sheep depot and then the Gold Rush began and the town just BOOMED! Today it purely exists for the tourists, outdoor and extreme sports.

My Mother will be happy to know that my extreme shenanigans started and ended with the skydive. Although I think that my friend Debbie has other plans...
You could say that my extreme sport this week has been drinking because if your not out during the day it is because of the hangover from the night before. Queenstown has a huge night life and I enjoy 4 almost consecutive nights of it. Yes, I do feel rough! I drank some real dark ale 'Sou'western', it tasted like liquorish(6.7%) from Dux-lux pub (which brews its own beer- you would of loved it Dad!), the cramp the morning after was not as enjoyable!

Last night me and Creena went up the Skyline Gondola to watch the sun set. It was the first time that I was truly wowed by what I saw. Lake Waktipu is 84Km long and the mountains that surrounded it were just... wow!

If I do say so, I took some brilliant photos. I will share them with you but, this computer doesn't have the necessary ports for my camera.

In a nutshell, Queenstown was beautiful. I've had the best nights out but I am pretty skint from it, so onto Dunedin (Gaelic for Edinburgh) to search for Haggis and to work on a farm for a week!

Remembrance Sunday

I got up early. Walked to the nearby war memorial... no one there. Walked to the information centre and asked if there was a Remembrance Serivce and the reply was "What for?" My reply was "Errr the World Wars?"

SHOCK HORROR!

But apparently New Zealand and Australia have their Remembrance Day on the 25th April. They call their day ANZAC (Australia New Zealand Army Corps).

St Peter's Square

I am gutted though, because last year I went to St Peter's Square in Manchester. The square was packed! It is brilliant how people come together to Remember those brave souls past and present and I am really quite upset that I can't be a part of it this year.

Manchester, 2008

Some photos of Queenstown...

Boat trip over to the Remarkables

Just after a rain/ snow storm on the mountains

FERGBURGER!!!!

This is an independent burger joint in Queenstown.

The burgers are massive and the best ever. It is imperative that when you come to Queenstown, you have a Fergburger.

I was told that this one little independent shop was responsible for running Burger King out of town. Love it!

Sadly with my dodgy head I was defeated by the massive feast. Also the chips are the best I have had so far.

Last night...

...I celebrated my birthday in Queenstown and what a fun night I had!

We (me, German Jen, Rachel, Creena and Kate) tried to go on a organised pub crawl thingy but there wasn't enough people on it so it got cancel :( No matter, because I think I had a better night than I would of if I had gone on it.

We just drank and partied at the Altitude bar and the World Bar (where we met up with Claire).

Being that it was my birthday I got a few birthday kisses (he he he he) from a two kiwi's and a really good cuddle from a Canadian. Good times.

24

Today I celebrate a 37 hour (NZ + UK time) birthday. The plan today is to just chill out in the day. Probably go for a walk and take some photos and then tonight I have quite a few people coming together to do a Queenstown pub crawl. Should be interesting and I will probably be dead to the world tomorrow.

Full report tomorrow...night most likely...

Cinema Paradiso, Wanaka

Wow! I am in love with yet another cinema.

Cinema Paradiso in Wanaka is as quirky as you can get. One screen with a cafe attached.
There was an interval in the film where you could nip to the loo or buy a massive gooey cookie for $3! I had white choc chip and ginger! Orgasmic! Might nip up there today just to have another! The decoration of the cinema room, cafe and toilets were movie posters.

It was like watching a film in your own living room. Choice of seats were sofas, general chairs, a car...

It was just a brilliant cinema experience...




...shame about the film!

The only film that was available to watch last night was Tony Scott's "The Taking of Pelham 123" which is a remake of the 1974 film. If you have seen one Tony Scott film you have seen them all. While watching Pelham I just kept on getting reminded of that other bad Tony Scott film, 'Dominio' with Keira Knightly.


This one, just like 'Domino' lacked pace and, let's face it, John Travolta acting as a bad ass at his age just doesn't fly. Plus Americans can not swear on film. When Americans swear on film it just doesn't have the same effect when a Brit does it. The swearing from John Travolta in this film was just pointless, it was like "ooh I need to sound really bad, Oh I know! I'll say Mother Ucker a lot!". Another low point of the film was when some bad men got surrounded by police and then the coppers just started shooting at them from all sides. Logical? I think not!

Another thing that made me and my sister giggle was the reason for making this film in the first place. With the whole writer's strike and recession Hollywood probably needed films so lets make a action film, but low! Who could we get that hasn't been in much recently and wont cost a lot??? I know! Lets open the O.A.P Action Hero Directory. Denzel Washington and John Travolta!

Don't bother people with this film. At most this is a hang over film that you don't have to pay attention to.

Off to Queenstown tomorrow! Whoop Whoop! Off for a walk around Lake Wanaka today. Obviously wont make it all around! Its 45 K long!