The Travelling Bee

I emerged from The Snail about 7am. I did sleep OK ish. I slept on the back seat, its a shame the back seats don't fold to make make a flat space like they do in my car at home. I could have done with stretching out a bit more. My knees don't seem to … Continue reading New Zealand – Into Hot Water

I left Richmond and had a rather lazy drive south on route 6. I stopped for second breakfast ( I make no apology for Lord of the Rings references) at Karatiri Historic Rail walk. The walk is only 20 minutes but it occurred to me how spooky and lonely it is and I did not … Continue reading New Zealand – Lewis Pass

Just a quick note as I leave Liyun's house. She was so lovely she gave me cough sweets, probably because I was irritating her and then this morning I had fresh cranberries from her garden with my breakfast. All of the fruit except the red apples are from her garden and she also had cucumbers … Continue reading New Zealand – Fruits of Richmond

Whoop Whoop I got the radio working on the Snail! I never realised how much such a small thing could please me. I set off this morning having booked a water taxi and kayaking in and around the Abel Tasman National Park. I took a water taxi to Torrent Bay via Broken Rock and an … Continue reading New Zealand – Abel Tasman

Two days ago the Snail and I took the Interislander ferry from Wellington to Picton. It is meant to be one of the most scenic crossings in the world and it didn't disappoint. I plonked myself down between a German father and son who had taken up the rather scarce seats with a bag. So … Continue reading New Zealand – North to South

I arrived in Auckland on a very muggy airless night. It had none of the fragrance of Tasmania and I walked to my equally airless Hotel for an uncomfortable night. The next day I collected my hire car. Cheap and cheerful a Mazda Demio. Its an automatic which surprised me but, actually I know Lee … Continue reading New Zealand – The Snail Journey

Still unwell but improving, no more sore ears and throat. I slept reasonably well and had dry toast for breakfast. I meet the others in the dining room where they tell me about the fabulous dinner I missed! We take Tanya and John to the people running a sea adventure, weirdly they rescue wild animals … Continue reading Tasmania East Coast – Day Five

The plan today was for everyone except John and I (because we were both so unwell and weak) to climb Mount Amos on the Hazards. John and I did attempt a short walk if our own but, I was so out if it I went back to bed. I didn't really surface when they came … Continue reading Tasmania East Coast – Day Three and Four

Waking up on this morning you could have knocked me down with a feather, the view is spectacular looking over Moulting Lagoon and Coles Bay. Its so quiet here its odd to my ears, no cars, no planes and very few bird calls. After another healthy breakfast, ( which clearly are not working as I'm … Continue reading Tasmania East Coast – Day Two – Freycinet National Park

Willow was very excited as we wandered along the beach during the evening after our tea. We passed a hole under a rock with small feathers at the entrance and an overpowering smell of guano. This she tells us is a Fairy Penguin roost. So we're going to sit on the rocks as night falls … Continue reading Tasmania East Coast – Day One – Hunting for Fairies