Walking for Health

I've really struggled with issues of stamina over the last 3 and a half years following my heart attack in August 2009 and the further complications in April 2010. Due to persistence I discovered that some of the negative aspects of this was due to medication and to some degree psychological factors and I doubted for much of the time whether I would ever really enjoy walking again! Well, today I walked over 10 miles in two stages and although I am somewhat tired now (!) it was mostly a very enjoyable experience. This follows a lovely holiday in the Derbyshire Dales mixing walking with visiting my new grandson.

The Southern Alps, Franz Josef and a Helicopter Ride

We left Wanaka with a threat of a change in the weather.

The journey was over four hours and torrential rain hit about half way. Fortunately we were out of the mountains by this time and driving up the coastal plane towards Fox and Franz Josef, so the drive was less eventful than it might have been.

With just the one day in FJ and a threat of a further deterioration in the weather the opportunity was taken for a helicopter flight into the mountains and over both Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers.

Wanaka - a brief stop

After Milford Sound its back to Queenstown and on to Wanaka for another short stay before travelling up to Fox and Franz Josef.

Despite the short stay at Wanaka we still managed to find a great coffee place in the back streets, go for a swim in Lake Wanaka and an evening cycle ride.

Milford Sound

Stayed at the YHA in Te Anau as a staging post for the journey by coach to Milford Sound.

The coach journey was just as spectacular as the ultimate destination and I was glad not to have been driving so that I could take it all in.

Once again most of my photographs were taken with my posh camera but I still managed to capture a number of good shots with the iPhone.

Queenstown

Queenstown is set in the most delightful and even beautiful location but let down by the tourists (oops I'm one if those).

See the various photos below.

South Island

Flying high with Air New Zealand over the Southern Alps

Goodbye Napier Hello Opotiki

Arriving in Napier on a Monday is not a good idea. Most shops close early and some don't open at all plus when I arrived it was also a national holiday. Add to that staying in just about the worst backpackers made the experience quite unpleasant.

However the stay was redeemed by a great tour of boutique wineries and then a formal tour of the city to see the Art Decor architecture.

A planned four day stay was cut short to make the six hour drive to Opotiki on the Western Cape of North Island for an idilic few days right on the beach.

See photos below of the winery cellars and the backpackers at Opotiki Beach House.

Blue Skies and Art Deco Architecture

After a brief overnight stopover in Taupo and temperatures of 28 degrees plus arrival in Napier - Art Deco city.

Rather disappointing at first but a wine tour of Hawkes Bay wineries soon sorted that out. Will be doing the historic town trail tomorrow.

The Grand Tour Continues

With the flying part of the holiday over it has been time to catch up with more Ex Pats now fully fledged Kiwis and carry on with our travels to The Coromandel Peninsula and the East Coast down to Napier.

The weather is great if a bit windy at times and with some quite cool days but today, back at Lake Taupo, the high is expected to be 28 degrees BUT the burn factor starts whenever the sun is shining!

I haven't done any major adrenaline rush excursions but taken in the breathtaking scenery (and we haven't even got to South Island yet).

The photos below are again just a selection of what I haven taken on my main camera although if you have access to my FB page there are more.

They include the Marina and beach at Whitianga with a stay in a backpackers painted blue and yellow, Hot Water Beach where you can dig in the sand to make your own spa pool, a delightful cafe in an out of the way place and the storming Huka Falls.