Ice queen  Taking the decision to slow down and spend more time
on the South Island means Sue has time to fit in some new
experiences - including her first helicopter flight and a hike
over Franz Josef glacier  New Zealand has been a revelation. It
had never been particularly high on my wish-list of places to
go, but I have been captivated by its beauty and diversity.
Since arriving on South Island I've scarcely been able to draw
breath between the new vistas that I've met round every corner.
I crossed uneventfully and relatively smoothly between the
Islands on Friday evening, despite having to reverse over a
bridge and onto the ferry in order to squeeze car number three
between two huge lorries. After spending the night in Picton, I
set off next day to the Nelson area, via the scenic coast road
which gave stunning views over the forested islands in
Marlborough Sound.  I arrived in Richmond, near Nelson, to stay
with a cousin of friends from home. I'd somehow caught a
terrible cold during the previous 24 hou