14th September - Christchurch and beyond (Liz Holt - a tribute)

Franz Josef is 500 km behind us, we took a 170 km journey in the car to Greymouth to catch the cross country train to Christchurch another 300 odd km away.

The journey was picturesque nearly all the way, with the train going through about 20 tunnels leading onto big viaducts with nothing on either side of the train, and always supported by massive mountains in the background, some with snow. The only thing that spoilt the journey was some miserable cow (not Sarah or Liz this time) sitting at our table of 4 group that had a face like thunder and played her mp3 player of Madonna's early hits too loud. She also slept and missed most of the journey. Luckily she moved seats 3/4 of the way.

In Christchurch, we hit the streets and used the tram to see what we could. Went to a musueum on Maori culture again but strangely enjoyed it. Then we got all packed up ready to fly and went to have our last meal together as a threesome. We went to a fancy bar where we all had lamb or steak or venison with a New Zealand red.

Thursday morning we had to say goodbye to Eujabethal 'Liz' Holt. She was off to Singapore before bracing herself for England and the 'W' word on monday. She was a prized asset of the team, one that has introduced a whole red onion and a clove of garlic to every meal, one that used sarcasm as a way of communicating, one that cried with laughter at animals that appeared dead, one that got up way too early and one that made the trip much more enjoyable. We have lost a third leg...

But with the loss of a travelling buddy comes a new country... the land of OZ. We too leave New Zealand thursday afternoon.

New Zealand is great. It is so untouched and spacious that evil human ways haven't spoilt it yet. Get there whilst you can!

On to other things.

Laters

Pricey plus 1.

P.S. Liz will be in Singapore if anyone needs any designer knock off moody goods. I've put in for a watch and a whale!