On our way south we stayed in a DOC (Depatment of Conservation) campsite. The DOC do amazing things over here, from protecting the massively threatened native species, to making huts, tracks, posters and facilities to enable us to enjoy what is left of the original NZ humans found 700 years ago.

B and I chose Nelson in the south island as our home for the next few years, as we are right next to many of the best national parks, and a few hours from the rest. The south island is the place to be, our travels over the summer confirmed this.

Cooking a lovely dinner - forunately there was a nice wind at this point, an hour later, we were forced to ensconce ourselves in our tents, away from the voracious sand flies who seem to eat more than me as a ratio of body weight, quite humbling!

Paul and Georgie enjoying a brew...

The view from the DOC site...

What's that humming noise.... could it be sand flies?!