Matthew Chester's Outpost

Arrived in Leeds last night after the stop-over in Korea. Unfortunately we did not have time to see anything in Soeul, which was a shame. Korea seems to be a country on the move - there were more cranes in the skyline than there was in Dubai last time we were there!!

Anyhow, decided to get some breakfast in Chapel A. En route to the cafe it started snowing! Welcome home...

Yeah, so I'm driving us back from the Nevis Swing in Queenstown - it's only a 120km or so which should only take 1hr and 15 mins (ish).

Speed limit in NZ on the open road is 100km (about 63 mph in old money). Very little on the road and what I do cruise up behind I'm just passing at an appropriate moment - no worries, as they say.

In my view I see a couple of cars. I overtake the first in a sling-shot type of move out of a left hand bend - very satisfying (it transpires that 'you can in a Nissan'!). Coming up to the next car quickly so I thought I'd keep tight and keep the speed to pass on next straight.

I glance in the rear-view mirror - blimey, that car has caught me up quick. That's when the lights and sirens astart asounding and I get a sinking feeling as he's not responding to an emergency call - he's pulling me over.

My tip for driving rental cars in NZ is that if you want to contest a speeding ticket, don't overtake a police car on the state highway. This will save you $170, roughly £85!!!

Happy to report that I'm still alive following an excursion on the world's highest swing....

Katie and I did a tamden swing: strapped into a harness and dropped, free falling for 70 meters before swinging across a gorge! In short (and in Kiwi), it was AWESOME!

Sorry for things being quiet on the blog of late. NZ is lacking Wifi hotspots that are Linux friendly (after two weeks, this is my only complaint!!!) so logging on has been onerous. Whilst I'm having a moan, wifi is charged by the hour in most places, not by MB - slow connection speeds and hourly rates sounds like a conspiracy to me!

Anyhow, arrived in Wanaka and it is as serene and beautiful as Katie described it! We travelled here from Christchurch in a Nissan Tilda, automatic transmission (would welcome any comments on this particular jalopy). Haven't driven an automatic for years, but it was fun - once I'd figured out how to get the key out of the ignition!!!!

The blog will be playing catch-up now as I'll be posting stuff retrospectively - Below is a snap of the Devil's Bath at Wia-o-tapu thermal park near Rotarua.

So, wedding over and man what a head ache this morning! Beer and sun is a recipie for a hangover - but well worth it. the wedding was amazing; the scenery spectacular and as ever, the food was incredible (and in plentiful supply)!

The evening ended with a disco and the formation, for one night only, of the Collins-Chester air band. The bride plays a mean lead guitar whilst the groom and best man filled in on rhythm guitar and bass - all my practising paid off too so I could accompany the family Collins on bass, guitar, keys, and drums. Lets rock!

Visited Mount Maunganui for lunch and took in the sites prior to the wedding rehersal - just the most amazing views!

NZ is such an amazing place - there are views like this everywhere! In fact, Bex and Matt's wedding venue at sulphur point looks out to the Mount!

So, Golf. How hard can it be? My 36 over par suggests that I should give the sport more credit! Of course the beer per hole didn't help my concentration or aim, but there are worse ways to spend a Thursday.

Taking it easy today in preparation for the wedding celebrations tomorrow (and because I'm a little hazy after the boozy day yesterday!).

Thought that I'd include a map showing where Tauranga is...

Arrived in Auckland at 08.05, Monday morning after 24hrs on a plane (save a brief walk in Seoul Airport to change planes) and didn't feel too bad - particularly as it was 25 degrees and sunny!

Flight with Korean Air was great. given the price, i was slightly dubious as to whether or not the plane would have full compliment of engines, wings, etc - but it did! Food and service was great - i definitely recommend flying with them!

Backpackers lodge in Ponsonby was also cool, except internet access was limited (hence why this post has taken a while!). Had fun in Auckland, the Skytower was particularly good and Devonport is like a sunblushed Isle of Wight.

Collected the car (a Diahtsu Sirion - would love to know what Top Gear think of it!) and headed to Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty for Bex's wedding. Stagdo playing golf today - what is it they say about mad dogs and englishmen?.......