Back from two weeks, almost 2000 miles (3150km) car hire. Staying in YMCA, Christchurch. Booked beforehand. A good central position. No more planned for South Island, relaxing and taking it easy. Kids looking forward to getting back to library, and it’s free computer area [photo]. Yesterday handed car back and arranged week’s car hire in Auckland, the North Island. Drove straight back from the West Coast through mountains. Another long day’s driving. Had to get back for the dolphins at Akaroa. More amazing scenery. Stopped off for walk at Arthur’s Pass and now familiar afternoon tea. Excellent hour walk, Ben lead the way. Crossed couple of bridges, followed a walkway and up loads of steps to waterfall [photo]. A good one! A bit too powerful for a dip though. Back at the car and café saw unique bird called a Kea; an intelligent New Zealand parrot [photo]. Regularly see signs warning: "Do not feed Kea". This is in case they learn to get their food from people and forget to find it for themselves. However, saw one helping itself to a backpacker’s bag of food. Ripped open the bags with its beak and tucked into a menu of rice grains, bread rolls and an apple [photo]. French backpacker not impressed on her return. Have had haircuts in Christchurch. Jill deliberated hard and went for it. Turned out acceptable, not bad or worse but nothing great. I think she’ll be glad to be home for a haircut she’s happy with.