Slalomed our way along a water pooled bush path in Akatarawa Forest. The rain seemed to have brought out a huge variety of insects.

We saw a giant Bush Dragonfly, Kapokapowai in Maori, meaning ‘water snatcher’, and a Magpie Moth.

A wonderful way to spend New Year’s Eve on a night walk through a native wildlife ecosanctuary.

We were privileged to see and hear many day birds as they were coming home to roost. As the night got really dark we spotted glow-worms, giant weta insects, tuatara reptiles and the elusive little spotted kiwi. Could not have asked for more.

A really happy new year to all our followers at canddaway.com

A taste of some of the late spring and early summer flowers we have experienced on our New Zealand travels.

Enjoyed a relaxed morning of golf at Silverstream Golf Park. Shared the course with red beaked Pukeko and multi hued parrots. Makes a change from Scottish crows.

Took a Boxing Day walk in forest above the Hutt River. It was cool under tree cover on a very hot day.

Came across the site where Rivendell, home of the Elves, was filmed for The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Only an archway hints at the Tolkienian goings on.

Last night the sky was clear and full of stars.

We left the southern lakes and Alps after breakfast and drove north east to Blenheim. Fed up with the trucks on H1, we headed through the mountains. A longer but magnificent drive.

Tomorrow we take the Interislander across the Cook Straight back to the North Island and begin the second half of our travels in New Zealand.

Breakfast in the warm sunshine, hailstones on Mt.John, a bitterly cold walk in the forest, torrential rain all evening on our corrugated iron roof, new snow on the mountains.

Wonderful place to feel really alive.