Russell and I went walking on farmland about 15 minutes drive from where we stay. The area is called Belmont and it is where the city suddenly becomes rural. We walked among cows and climbed the tallest hill until we could see the ocean. It was absolutely icy up there. We saw that the mountains on the South island were snow capped, so that explained the numbed noses and fingertips!

The hills in this area used to be used for military bunkers. Some of them are still standing as you'll see in the pictures. If I was a farmer I would transform them into shelters for the animals...they have lovely thick walls!

Is that a boat?! No...just a rock. Had me fooled there for a second!