We are back from our whirlwind trip around the S Island! The highlights for me were the hot air balloon ride which Jerry and I did at Methvan, and the hot springs in Hanmer Springs. I could have spent all day in the water. It was rainy/misty weather, and sitting in the hot - 40 C - water was fantastic with the mist keeping our heads cool!!! And no sun to worry about!

Last night we went to the Nelson stock car races which was a first for me!!! It was the national finals of the NZ midget champs. Though I have to say, the favorite part for me was the stock car races, where they bump or smash into each other on purpose!! Those guys are nuts!! The midget races were just too dusty for me. We even had dust in our underwear when we came home!! Everyone had a shower!

Today Jerry and I went on a hike that started from Andrew's apartment. We saw foxgloves blooming, as well as many other flowers. We thought we were going to hike to the top of Dun mountain, but at one point the trail looked too much like a logging road, so we turned right instead of left, and ended up hiking the Maitai trail. But it was gorgeous, nonetheless. Here we are, posing in our touristy garb (my hiking pants were drying on the line - no dryers here). With 25 C temps, and the sun shining part of the time, the walk was great. Especially after the last week of not much physical activity, and LOTS of pie!!! NZ pie! They have many types of individual pies, that one can buy at the local corner bakery!! Those were our lunches as we travelled. So now we need to work it off. Kristin has been flat on the couch for all of today, with a flue of some sort, Andrew went biking this morning, and is now at fire fighting training. Jer and Duane are making a pork stir fry for supper. Owen was playing in a tub of water on the balcony, and is now watching some TV. I'm planning my NZ quilt, and tomorrow I get to go and buy heaps and heaps of kiwiana fabric for it!!!