My introduction to NZ.

I want to try to keep up what little momentum I've gained, so here is what I've been up to these first few days. The country has made quite an impression on me so far. More than I can hope to express right now, given the amount of beer I've drunk.




The short flight from Auckland was a wonderful introduction indeed.





The plane flew south along the west coast of North Island, the perma-snow-capped Mt. Ruapehu (2797m) in the distance.





We crossed the Cook Strait then the Marlborough Sounds before landing at Blenheim airport in the vine-carpeted Wairau Valley.

I was pretty tired out from the travelling but ice cream is a good restorative.





Swimming has a similar effect. The fresh, clear water of the Pelorus river was a revelation after the greasy Thames, in which even the rats must think twice before taking a dip.





We jumped and splashed and larked about. It was great.







Above is the early morning view from my parents' patio. The mist just hangs there for a while before the sun burns it and my delicate skin (you're right Prev, it's an ongoing battle!) away. It's nice to stand there and take it all in, sipping tea and munching Marmite on toast, listening to the birds tweeting and cooing.




We went to Picton Regatta (above) and I got sunburnt whilst eating mussel fritters (below) which are much nicer than they look...








...and watching a stingray the size of Steve Irwin's coffin.



Yesterday we went sailing on some friends' boat and went here for lunch...




Then we swam in the sea to counter the effects of the delicious Gewurtztraminer wine. It was all rather pleasant.