Well, as I have a couple of hours to kill at the airport, I thought I would write about my perceptions of the country. I have been here for a month and been to most areas, however briefly. I’m sure Herbie will forgive me if I get some of my facts wrong.

For a start, the country is familiar but not. It is about the same size as the UK but with a population of around 5 million. As a third of those live in Auckland, there is a lot of the country, especially the South Island, with a very small population. Almost everywhere is either farming or conservation land. There are large ranges of mountains and volcanic action going on (I won’t count the earthquakes as, although they happen regularly, they don’t have geographic features).

Every small town seems to have a pub, a hotel and a cafe. We did see one or two towns that were dilapidated but most of them were surprisingly flourishing. Lots of shops and things like department stores still going and having a branch in any town of any size. Lots of little places had museums as well – something you can apply to the government for money for.

NZ cafes are definitely worth a visit. Vast sandwiches and many many varieties of cake. We had two packed lunches we hadn’t done ourselves and both of them contained a sandwich, a piece of fruit and two bits of cake. This is a diet that I thoroughly approve of, although it would be nice to be able to do up my trousers by the time I get home. The ice cream is very good as well. 🍦🍦🍦

Lots of places are named after where the settlers came from so Britain predominates. Apparently the roads in Christchurch (Leicester, Armagh, Gloucester etc) are named after British cities with cathedrals.

Houses tend to be bungalows, except in Auckland, and the older ones have verandas and Victorian wood or cast iron twiddly bits. Apparently even the new ones are mainly built of wood as it stands up better to earthquakes.

https://images.app.goo.gl/efpdcGRwCfsZtJXa6

The people we have met have been lovely. Tending to heartiness but kind and friendly. I think this showed when they had that terrorist attack – and there are still flowers outside the mosque we saw, by the way. There are some beggars in Christchurch and Auckland and I believe there is, as there is everywhere, hidden poverty, but generally everyone looks happy and well fed.

The weather is unpredictable though – even worse than at home. On the trip, I’d look at the forecast and then Herbie would tell us something different and the weather usually did a third thing! However, I have had phenomenal luck and it has only rained biblically twice. Even in Doubtful Sound where it rains 2 days out of every 3 and they get 8 metres (yup, you heard that right) of rain a year it was sunny both days we were there.

All in all, a lovely experience.