Mrs. the Postman and I will be making our big post-retirement antipodean odyssey (while we still have our health, dear) to New Zealand and environs from November 2011 to April 2012. We are given to understand that, according to ancient Mayan prophecies, the world will end during this time period, but we will not let this cramp our style. We plan to buy a clapped out camper-van and tour around pretty much everywhere. We are outdoorsy young codgers so tramping and birding are top of our list of things to do. Any advice?

Then there's music. I'm your typical grey-bearded amateur folkie, good for a couple of songs at an open mike but you might not want to sit through a whole set of me. I'd like to check out folk-club/coffee-house/song-circle venues wherever I happen to be. And I'll need to buy a budget guitar when I get to Auckland.

Any and all tips will be gratefully received.