NZ CONTINUED....

27.10.08...DAY 90...
9.30AM...OH WELL HERE WE GO...NOT A LOT TO DO TODAY.
9.50AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
10.05AM...SHOWER.
10.40AM...EGG/MUSHROOM/TOMATO ON TOAST...ANOTHER CUPPA.
11.50AM...PACKING MAIN BLUE HOLDALL WITH EVERYTHING WE WILL NOT REQIURE TILL WE REACH ENGLAND...BASICALLY ITS FULL OF BITS/THINGS/MOMENTOS WE HAVE ACQUIRED ALONG THE WAY...WE ARE TRYING TO BE NEAT...MAKING THE MOST OF THE SPACE AVAILABLE.
12.30PM...WE HAVEN'T GOT AS MUCH AS WE THOUGHT...IT LOOKED A LOT...BUT ITS FITTED NEAT.
12.50PM...ANOTHER CUPPA.
1.30PM...SUN IS OUT...READING PAPERBACK...BEER.
3.30PM...CAULI/SPUD ON BOIL...LAMB UNDER GRILL.
4.15PM...DELICIOUS MEAL.
5.00PM...WATCHING TRASH KIWI TV.
6.00PM...ITS TIME FOR SOME ALCOHOL DRINK...BUT FOR SOME REASON I AM NOT IN THE MOOD.
7.00PM...THE NZ ELECTIONS ARE IN 9 DAYS TIME...SO THERE IS A 'SPECIAL?; PROG ON...ITS HARD TO TAKE NZ POLITICS SERIOUSLY...COME TO THINK OF IT...ITS HARD TO FATHOM POLITICS IN ANY COUNTRY!


28.10.08...DAY 91...
8.10AM...SECOND TO LAST DAY...AFTER 14 MONTHS ITS INCREDIBLE THAT WE ARE SO CLOSE TO RETURNING TO OUR HOMELAND.
8.25AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.45AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.15AM...SCRAMBLED EGG ON TOAST...ANOTHER CUPPA.
10.05AM...EVERYTHING IN CAR.
10.15AM...OFF WE SET.
10.45AM...SECOND HAND BOOK SHOP IN WELLSFORD...NU BUYS TWO BARRY CRUMP BOOKS...HE'S FAMOUS OUT HERE?
11.40AM...OUTSKIRTS OF AUCKLAND...TRAFFIC GOING SLOW.
12.35PM...FINALLY FOUND OUR PRE-BOOKED LODGE FOR THE NIGHT...ITS ONLY 5K TO THE AIRPORT FROM HERE...CHAP ON RECEPTION TELLS US THE STREETS ARE NOT THE BEST PLACE TO BE AFTER SUNSET...OH!...AUCKLAND AS A BAD REPUTATION...MUGGINGS/KNIFING/SHOOTINGS...SOMEBODY ACTUAL GOT SHOT IN DANGAVILLE LAST NITE...WE WERE THERE 3 NIGHTS AGO...IT LOOKED ALRIGHT TO US.
1.30PM...CHEESE/LETTUCE SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
2.40PM...SOME FORIEGNER AS PUT A VIDEO ON IN THE LOUNGE...NO CONSIDERATION FOR US...I'M LOOKING AT THE SCREEN AIMLESSLY!
4.25PM...I'M HUNGRY...WE ARE HUNGRY...SHOULD WE BE?...MIGHT RISK AN INDIAN.
5.15PM...INDIAN RESTAURANT...ITS THE KAMIKAZI IN US!
5.45PM...MOUTH ON FIRE!
6.20PM...AS MUCH AS IT WAS HOT SPICY...IT WAS AN ENJOYABLE TASTE/FLAVOUR.
6.50PM...BACK AT OUR LODGINGS.
7.30PM...CORONATION STREET...BEER.


I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW I DON'T REGRET A SINGLE DAY OF THIS MAMMOTH TRIP/FANTASTIC VOYAGE NU AND I HAVE UNDERTAKEN...WE'VE MOANED...WE'VE GROANED...WE'VE DRANK...WE'VE LAUGHED...WE'VE CRIED...WE'VE DEFINATELY GOT FATTER!...WE BOTH FEEL SO LUCKY TO HAVE SUCCEEDED/CONQUERED A DREAM...AND I ASK EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU TO GET OUT THERE AND ENJOY THE WORLD...YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!...WE HAVE ZIG-ZAGGED ACROSS A QUARTER?/THIRD? OF THE PLANET...WE MET SOME WONDERFUL FOLK...SEEN MANY SPECIAL PLACES...ITS HARD TO TELL YOU IT ALL...YOU'VE GOT TO DO IT YOURSELF...THEN YOU WILL UNDERSTAND/LEARN SO MUCH...ALTHOUGH TO ANYBODY READING THIS BLOG...I DO UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS SOMEWHAT?BORING...BUT WHEN NU AND I GO TO ANY PAGE/DAY ITS LIKE A TV SCREEN IN FRONT OF US...AND WE REMEMBER SO MUCH...AND ITS OH SO UNBORING!...I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYBODY THAT HELPED US ON OUR WAY...BUT MOST OF ALL I WOULD LIKE TO THANK NUALA[MY WIFE]...THANKS NU...LOVE YOU FOREVER!


GOOD LUCK,
TAKE CARE,
SAFE VOYAGE.

BYE FOR NOWZ.

NZ CONTINUED...

22.10.08...DAY 85...
9.55AM...DOING NOTHING TODAY...JUST GONNA FIDGET ABOUT.
10.15AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
10.30AM...SHOWER.
11.05AM...RICE CRISPIES/MARMALADE ON TOAST...ANOTHER CUPPA.
11.50AM...WALKED INTO TOWN.
12.20PM...LOOKING AT GIFT SHOPS...NU LOVES IT...I HATE IT...CHEAP STUFF AT INFLATED PRICES.
2.00PM...NU HUNGRY...I AM TOO...BOREDOM I GUESS!
2.15PM...CAFE RIP OFF...KUMARA PIE/MOROCAN CHICKEN WITH SALAD...BEER...ACTUALLY IT WASN'T BAD...THE PRICE WAS TO MUCH FOR TO LITTLE.
3.20PM...SITTING ON BEACH...NU READING...I'M FIDGETTING.
4.25PM...BACK AT LODGE.
5.10PM...FIDGETTING.
6.00PM...CHEESE ON TOAST WITH ONION AND TOMATO...YUMMY!
7.00PM...WAFFLING WITH ENGLISH COUPLE...THEY'RE BORING.
8.05PM...FIDGETTING.
8.25PM...GLASS OF WINE...NOT REALLY ENJOYING IT...GUESS I'M BORED.
9.10PM...IS IT TIME FOR BED YET?...GETTING MORE FIDGETTY!...THE BAY OF ISLANDS IS A PLEASANT PLACE...SCENERY WISE...BEAUTIFUL...THE PEOPLE ARE A PROBLEM...ALSO THE PRICES.


23.10.08...DAY 86...
7.40AM...WE ARE GOUNG SOMEWHERE TODAY...CAN'T REMEMBER WHERE.
7.55AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.20AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.45AM...PACKING UP TIME AGAIN...THESE IS THE WORST PART ABOUT TRAVELLING.
9.20AM...BACON/TOMATO SANDWICH...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.55AM...EVERYTHING IN CAR.
10.10AM...BANK...ATM MACHINE.
10.25AM...PETROL STATION.
10.35AM...BAKERY.
10.45AM...SUPERMARKET...GOT ENGLISH NEWSPAPER AMONGST OTHER ITEMS.
11.25AM...WAITANGA...TREATY HOUSE...THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE THE MOST IMPORTANT DOCUMENT IN NZ HISTORY WAS SIGNED BETWEEN THE MAORI AND INVADING FORCES...I'M NOT SURE THAT IT WAS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE MAORI BRCAUSE THEY STILL DON'T HAVE EQUILITY.
12.15PM...HORURU WATER FALLS...OK ITS ANOTHER WATER FALL.
12.35PM...BLEDISLOE LOOKOUT POINT...NICE VIEWS...SIGN THER SAYS 11,278 MILES TO LONDON...DON'T KNOW WHEN THE BUS ARRIVES...NO TIMETABLE!
12.50PM...DRIVING ON TO MANGANUI...HILLY BENDY ROADS.
2.10PM...MANGANUI...FISH AND CHIPS...BLUE NOSE FISH...THEY'VE GOT A FANCY FISH SHOP HERE...WE THOUGHT THAT WAS THE ONE WE ATE AT...DROVE ROUND THE CORNER AND THERE IT WAS...OUCH!...WE HAD EATEN AT THE CHEAP NOT SO FANCY ONE...TASTED OK THOUGH.
2.50PM...NEXT STOP KAITIA.
4.10PM...WE HAVE BEEN UP AND DOWN KAITIA HIGH STREET 3 TIMES AND HAVE AT LAST FOUND THE PLACE TO BOOK OUR TRIP TO CAPE REINGA[90 MILE BEACH]FOR TOMORROW...GOES AT 9AM.
5.00PM...ENDLESS SUMMER LODGE,AHIPORA...BOOKED 2 NIGHTS.
5.40PM...FELL ASLEEP.
7.00PM...WOKE UP...NU HAD MADE SANDWICHES...CHEESE/ONION/LETTUCE...CUPPA TEA...WHAT WOULD I DO WITHOUT HER?
8.00PM...READING NEWSPAPER.


24.10.08...DAY 87...
7.00AM...ALARM...DIDN'T HEAR IT...NU DID.
7.15AM...SHOWER.
7.25AM...CUP OF TEA...MADE SANDWICHES FOR TRIP.
7.45AM...WEETABIX.
8.10AM...OFF WE SET...GOTTA BE THERE FOR 8.45AM.
8.25AM...SUN NOT SHINING...BUT THE WIND IS WARM.
8.40AM...PARKED CAR IN TOUR BUS COMPOUND.
9.00AM...BOARDED COACH.
9.10AM...WE HAVE A MAORI GUIDE WHO FIRST SPEAKS HIS OWN LANGUAGE AND THEN TRANSLATES IT IN ENGLISH.
9.50AM...START OF 9O MILE BEACH...WHICH IS ACTUALLY ONLY 64 MILES LONG?
10.10AM...COACH DRIVING ALONG THE BEACH...TASMAN SEA SIDE...I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO SAY ABOUT THE BEACH...I MEAN A BEACH IS A BEACH!
10.35AM...OFF THE BEACH WE COME...BACK ONTO THE ROAD.
11.20AM...RARAWA BEACH...PACIFIC SEA SIDE...HERE THE WHITE SAND IS VERY FINE AND YOU CAN POLISH YOUR RINGS AND COINS HERE WITH A RUB...AND THEY WILL GLEAM...LIKE MAGIC!
12.10PM...NEXT STOP TEKAO STORE FOR AN ICECREAM...AND FOR 2 DOLLARS YOU CAN HAVE A CONE OF TOO MUCH ICECREAM...AND I MEAN TOO MUCH ICECREAM.
12.40PM...OFF WE SET AGAIN...STICKY HANDS FROM TOO MUCH ICECREAM...WE FORGOT THE WET WIPES!
1.10PM...CAPE REINGA LIGHTHOUSE...THIS IS WHERE THE TWO OCEONS MEET[PACIFIC AND TASMAN]...ITS VERY WINDY...LUCKILY NU AND I ARE QUITE WEIGHTY!
1.55PM...BACK IN COACH...FREE COFFEE AND BUN...I TUCK INTO MY OWN SANDWICHES...NICE COFFEE.
2.40PM...OFF WE SET AGAIN...THE RAIN AS ARRIVED.
3.10PM...TAPOUPOTU BAY...THIS IS THE OTHER END OF 90 MILE BEACH...THE COACH DRIVES THRU SOME VERY WEAK WATERLOGGED SAND TO THE MAIN BEACH...THE DRIVER/GUIDE WANTED TO GO ALL THE WAY...BUT THE TIDE WAS COMING IN FAST THAN USUAL...SO HE SAID?...SO WE HAD TO TURNAROUND.
4.00PM...TE PUKI SAND DUNES...TIME TO SAND SLIEGH...I'LL SAY NO MORE!
4.40PM...BACK IN COACH...ON OUR WAY BACK TO OUR STARTING POINT.
5.15PM...DAY DONE...AND IT WAS A GOOD DAY...WORTH THE MONEY...TIME WENT SWIFTLY...AND THE MAORI GUIDE WAS WITTY.
5.40PM...SUPERMARKET...COOKED ROAST CHICKEN/CAULI.
6.10PM...BACK AT ENDLES SUMMER LODGE.
6.35PM...SPUD/CAULI ON BOIL.
7.30PM...I'M FAT AGAIN...WASHING UP SORTED.
8.00PM...READING NEWSPAPER...GLASS OF WINE...RAIN ABSOLUTELY THUMPING DOWN/LIGHTENING.



25.10.08...DAY 88
7.45AM...THE RAIN AS CEASED...RAINED FOR THE GREATER PART OF THE NIGHT.
8.05AM...SHOWER.
8.25AM...CUP OF TEA.
8.40AM...PACKING UP.
9.15AM...LAST OF THE WEETABIX/ANOTHER CUPPA...MADE SANDWICHES WITH YESETERDAYS LEFTOVER CHICKEN.
9.50AM...EVERYTHING IN CAR...EVERYTHING A MESS.
10.20AM...DRIVING IN DIRECTION OF KOHUKOAU.
11.30AM...ON FERRY TO RAWENE...ONLY 10 MINS.
11.45AM...DRIVING ON TO OPONINI.
12.20PM...OPONINI...FAMOUS FOR A FRIENDLY BOTTLED NOSE DOLPHIN WHO FREQUENTED THESE SHORES BACK IN 1955...THE DOLPHIN WHO WAS NAMED 'OPO' BY THE LOCALS ENJOYED PLAYING WITH THE LOCAL CHILDREN...AND WAS APPARENTLY A BIT OF A WHIZZ WITH THE BALL...ALTHOUGH HE/SHE HAD NEVER BEEN TRAINED...CROWDS FROM ALL OVER NZ WOULD COME...THEN SOMEONE SHOT HIM/HER...OH!...OUCH!...WETCHED A FILM ABOUT THE POOR THING IN INFO/MUSEUM CENTRE.
1.00PM...TIME FOR CHICKEN SANDWICH...SAT ON A BENCH OVERLOOKING THE BEACH/SEA.
1.30PM...TIME TO DRIVE ON...DIRECTION OF KATUI...THERE IS A VERY TALL KAURI TREE[TANE] ON THE WAY NU WISHES TO SEE.
1.50PM...TALL KAURI TREE...OK I SUPPOSE.
2.15PM...DRIVING ON TO DARGAVILLE...GREY SKIES ABOVE.
3.10PM...DARGAVILLE...BOUGHT A FLEECE...REDUCED FROM 45 TO 16 DOLLARS.
4.00PM...BOOKED ONE NIGHT AT GREENHOUSE LODGE.
4.40PM...FRY UP TIME...LAST OF THE BACON/MUSHROOMS/BEANS/TOMS/EGGS/TOAST...CUPPA TEA.
6.00PM...TV NEWS...FIGHTING ON THE STREETS OF WELLINGTON...NATIONAL FRONT...BLESS!
6.40PM...SHAVE...COULDN'T BE BOTHERED THIS MORNING.
7.20PM...READING NEWSPAPER...BEER...DREAMING OF HOME...DREADING 24 HOUR FLIGHT.


26.10.08...DAY 89...
7.55AM...BACK ACHING...BED NOT GOOD.
8.15AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.30AM...SHOWER.
9.00AM...ALL PACKED UP...EVERYTHING IN CAR APART FROM BREAKFAST STUFF.
9.25AM...TOAST AND JAM...ANOTHER CUPPA...MADE CHEESE SALAD SANDWICHES FOR JOURNEY.
9.55AM...WE ARE ON OUR WAY.
10.40AM...KAURA MUSEUM...EVERTHING HERE IS MADE FROM THE KAURI TREE WOOD...LOADS OF OLD PHOTO'S OF WORKERS/MEN KNOCKING DOWN THE TREES AND PREPARING THE WOOD TO BE SHIPPED ALL AROUND THE WORLD...PHOTO'S OF FOLK MAKING FURNITURE...AND ALL THE MACHINERY AND TOOLS THEY USED...IT WAS A HARD LIFE BACK THEN...WE DON'T KNOW HOW LUCKY WE ARE...NOT A BAD LITTLE MUSEUM...WORTH A VISIT.
12.15PM...DRIVING ON TO WAIPO...OUR DESTINATION FOR THE DAY.
1.00PM...BRYNDERWYN...TIME FOR A SANDWICH.
1.20PM...OFF WE SET AGAIN.
1.55PM...WAIPO...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS AT THE WAIPO WANDERERS LODGE.
2.15PM...CUPPA TEA.
3.00PM...EVERYTHING...AND I MEAN EVERYTHING OUT OF CAR...A BIG BIG SORT OUT TO DO.
4.30PM...SPUD/CAULI ON BOIL...STEAK UNDER GRILL.
5.10PM...STEAK WAS AWFUL...AND I MEAN AWFUL!
5.30PM...WATCHING NETBALL ON TV...NZ/OZ...THERE ARE A SOUTH AFRICAN COUPLE HERE SUPPORTING NZ...SO I'M SUPPORTING OZ...I LIKE A GOOD STIR!
7.05PM...NZ WON...OH WELL.
8.00PM...PHONED PAULINE.
8.30PM...FILM...A ROOM WITH A VIEW.
10.00PM...BED.


EVERYBODIES HEART DOESN'T BEAT THE SAME.


BYE FOR NOWZ!
7.40

NZ CONTINUED......

14.10.08....DAY 77...
9.15AM...NU ALREADY UP...WASHED AND DRESSED...SOME PEOPLE ARE JUST TOO EAGER!
9.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.05AM...SHOWER.
10.40AM...SCRAMBLED EGG ON TOAST/ANOTHER CUPPA.
11.30AM...OFF WE SET.
11.45AM...BANK.
12.10PM...'CRATERS OF THE MOON'...LARGE HOLES WITH STEAM RISING FROM THEM...JUST LIKE ON MARS?...CAN'T BE SURE...NEVER BEEN FURTHER THAN PLANET EARTH!
1.45PM...BACK IN CAR...RAINING/DRIZZLING...ITS TAKEN US 0NE AND THREE QUARTER HOURS TO WALK...WE WERE A BIT SLOW...WELL WORTH A LOOK.
2.00PM...OPENING OF FLOOD/WATER GATES...THIS CREATES ELECTRICITY...NZ GETS 22% OF ITS ELECTRICITY VIA THIS MEANS...NOT SURE HOW...THEY HARNESS IT SOMEHOW.
3.00PM...PRAWN FARM REASTAURANT...FRESH PRAWNS...QUID EACH!...AWESOME TASTE...ONLY HAD SIX!
4.00PM...SUPERMARKET...NU NEEDS BEER AND MALTESERS.
4.30PM...'WAREHOUSE'...A LARGE OUTLET SELLING CLOTHES TO BATTERIES TO ELECTRICAL GOOD TO ETC...NEED A NEW FLEECE...BUT THEY'VE SOLD OUT THERE WINTER STOCK...NU BOUGHT A WATCH...PLUS I GOT A STEVE HARLEY CD...WELL CHEAP.
5.20PM...BACK AT LODGE...HEAVENS HAVE OPENED.
5.40PM...SEARCHING FOR PLASTIC MUG I BOUGHT IN CHINA...I CAN'T FIND IT ANYWHERE...THINK I LEFT IT ON BREAKFAST TABLE THIS MORNING...OUCH!
6.10PM...EXPLAINED ABOUT MY MISSING MUG TO CHAP ON RECEPTION...I THINK HE FELT SORRY FOR AND OFFERED ME A NEW PLASTIC MUG FROM THE STAFF QUARTERS...ITS NOT THE SAME THOUGH!
6.25PM...READING MY BOOK...BUT MY THOUGHTS ARE WITH MY LOST CUP.
7.50PM...CHEESE/CUCUMBER/LETTUCE SANDWICH...BEER...DON'T FEEL HUNGRY...BUT NU SAYS ITS BEST I EAT!
8.30PM...PHONED PAULINE.


15.10.08...DAY 78...
7.35AM...I WAS DREAMING...I WAS GONNA TELL NU ALL ABOUT MY DREAM...BUT AS I WOKE IT JUST FADED AND I FORGOT IT.
7.55AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA...IT DOESN'T TASTE THE SAME FROM THIS ALIEN CUP.
8.20AM...SHOWER.
8.50AM...WEETABIX/ANOTHER CUPPA...THE RIM FEELS DIFFERENT?
9.35AM...PACKING EVERYTHING INTO CAR...NO SIGN OF CUP.
9.50AM...OFF WE SET.
10.10AM...HUKA FALLS...FIERCE BLUE FOAMY WATER CREATING ELECTRICITY.
10.45AM...OFF WE SET AGAIN...ONLY ABOUT 50 MILES TO ROTORUA.
12.10PM...SLOW DRIVE...BENDY ROAD...WHAT ROAD IN NZ ISN'T BENDY!!...I LET EVERYONE PASS ME...BUT WE HAVE FINALLY ARRIVED IN ROTAORUA.
12.35PM...BOOKED ONE NIGHT AT CENTRAL CITY BACKPACKERS...NICE PRICE.
1.30PM...WE WANT TO GO TO A MAORI CULTURAL EVENING...THERE ARE TWO TO CHOOSE FROM...CAN'T MAKE UP OUR MINDS.
2.30PM...DECIDED TO DO THE 'HANGI' MAORI EVENING...HAVING SPOKEN WITH SOME FOLK WHO HAD ALREADY BEEN.
3.00PM...BOOKED 'MAORI EVENING'.
3.40PM...SUPERMARKET...COOKED ROAST CHICKEN/BREAD COBS/TOMATO/WINE.
4.30PM...WATCHING 'STEVE HARLEY' DVD...SCOFFING CHICKEN SALAD COB...TASTY.
4.50PM...NU DOING LAUNDRY.
5.30PM...SHAVE.
5.40PM...READING KEN FOLLETT NOVEL.
6.20PM...OFF WE TROT TO CATCH COACH FOR 'MAORI EVE'.
6.35PM...WATCHING SHORT FILM ABOUT MAORI'S.
7.00PM...ON COACH TO MAORI VILLAGE...OUR MAORI WOMAN GUIDE IS ENTERTAINING...THE MAORI'S ARE A WITTY BUNCH.
7.25PM...ARRIVE AT MAORI VILLAGE.
7.45PM...MAORI DANCING/SINGING...A LOTTA AGGRESION...A VERY WARM WELCOME!
8.15PM...SHOWN ROUND MAORI VILLAGE...FIRES BURNING...BUT ITS COLD...AN INTERESTING ARRAY OF HOW THEY MAKE THINGS/ITEMS...HOW THEY COOK.
8.40PM...A STAGE SHOW OF MAORI CHANTING/DANCING.
9.15PM...FOOD...AT LAST!...AND THERE IS PLENTY...LAMB/CHICKEN/VEGGIES/SWEET AND NORMAL SPUD...ALL COOKED IN THE MAORI WAY...IN UNDERGROUND OVEND IN VAST IRON POTS.
9.55PM...WONDERFUL MEAL...AN EXCEPTIONAL FEAST...WITH PAVLOVA FOR SWEET?
10.20PM...THE MAORI EVE FINISHED WITH THE 'HUKA' DANCE...NU AND I PREFER THE 'TWIST'!
10.45PM...BACK ON COACH FOR RETURN JOURNEY TO OUR ABODE.
11.10PM...GLASS OF WINE...TALKING ABOUT WHAT GREAT EVENING WE HAVE HAD...DO NOT COME TO NZ AND MISS IT...ONE OF THE HI-LIGHTS SO FAR!


16.10.08...DAY 79...
7.40AM...THIS IS GONNA BE A BORING DAY.
8.00AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.25AM...SHOWER...NOT A VERY GOOD SHOWER...HARD TO CONTROL THE HEAT...I'M NOT ONE TO MOAN THOUGH!
9.00AM...DON'T FEEL HUNGRY...CUPPA TEA...MADE UP SANDWICHES FOR NEXT JOURNEY TO AUCKLAND WITH YESTERDAYS LEFTOVER CHICKEN.
9.20AM...SPEAKING WITH ISRAELI CHAP...THEY'RE ALL A BIT BARMY FROM THERE...THE SOUND OF THERE OWN BOMBS BLOWING UP INNOCENT PALESTIANS AS TWIDDLED THERE BRAINS!
9.55AM...RAIN POURING...SAT IN CAR...DISCUSSING WHETHER TO DRIVE PASSED AUCKLAND OR STAY ONE NIGHT...ITS GOT A BAD REPUTATION...LOTTA GANG WARFARE.
10.20AM...OFF WE SET...STILL UNDECIDED.
10.45AM...ON THE ROAD TO HAMILTON...HALFWAY TO AUCKLAND...ANOTHER PLACE WITH A BAD REPUTATION.
11.35AM...PICKED UP HIGHWAY ONE TO AUCKLAND...200 ODD K TO GO.
1.00PM...STOPPED IN A PLACE WITH UNPROUNCEABLE NAME...CHICKEN SALAD SANDWICH...ALSO BOUGHT ENGLISH NEWSPAPER.
2.20PM...LOST IN AUCKLAND CITY CENTRE...ITS AN ENIGMA...BIT LIKE ITALY OR RUSSIA!
3.00PM...DECIDED TO STAY ONE NIGHT IN AUCKLAND...FOUND A LODGE WE WOULD LIKE TO STAY AT...THE RECEPTION IS CLOSED TILL 4.00PM MIND.
4.00PM...ENQUIRING ABOUT A ROOM...THEY ARE FULL...OUCH!...THEY DIRECT US TO ANOTHE LODGE.
4.30PM...BOOKED ONE NIGHT AT 'THE AUCKLAND LODGE'.
5.15PM...STEAK UNDER GRILL...VEGGIES ON BOIL.
5.50PM...A TASTY MEAL.
6.20PM...ALL DONE...READING NEWSPAPER...BEER...IT WAS A BORING DAY SPENT DRIVING...BUT IT WAS ONE STEP CLOSER TO HOME!


17.10.08...DAY 80...
7.40AM...HAD A FIDGETY NIGHT...COULDN'T SETTLE...LOTS OF THOUGHTS ON MY MIND...NOTHING BAD...JUST THOUGHTS ABPOT OUR LAST DAYS...ARE WE GONNA GET IT ALL DONE?
8.05AM...SHOWER.
8.40AM...WEETABIX/CUPPA TEA....MADE CHEESE SALAD SANDWICHES FOR JOURNEY.
9.15AM...PACKING UP.
9.40AM...EVERYTHING IN CAR.
10.05AM...TRYING TO FIND ROAD/WAY OUT OF AUCKLAND...THIS PLACE IS A MESS...THE ONLY THING ON THIS PLANET THAT ISN'T A MESS...IS MY HEAD!?
10.30AM...I THINK WE ARE ON THE RIGHT ROAD...WE GOING NORTH...SEEN A SIGN...THATS THE MAIN THING.
11.20AM...ON THE SCENIC ROUTE?/COASTAL ROUTE.
12.10PM...WAIWORA...TIME FOR CHEESE SALAD SANDWICH.
12.40PM...DRIVING ON.
1.30PM...GOAT ISLAND BAY...GOAT ISLAND IS ABOUT 100 YARDS OUT TO SEA...NO-ONE IS TO SURE WHY ITS CALLED GOAT ISLAND AS THERE WAS NEVER ANY GOATS THERE...SOMEONE DID PUT SOME PIGS ON THE ISLAND BUT THEY ESCAPED BY SWIMMING ASHORE...GO PIGGY GO!
2.45PM...WAIPU COVE...A SURFING PLACE/BEACH...STOPPED FOR A LEG STRETCHED.
3.20PM...WAIPU VILLAGE.
3.35PM...WAIPU WANDERERS LODGE...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS.
4.30PM...FRY UP TIME...EGGS/BACON/MUSHROOMS/TOMATOES/FRESH BREAD...CUPPA TEA.
6.00PM...TV NEWS....FAIRGROUND ATTRACTION GONE WONKY,FIVE KIDS INJURED IN GISBOURNE...WILD WINDS IN CAMBRIDGE,ELDERLY FOLK EVACUATED...BIG WAREHOUSE FIRE IN PERNELL,SUBURB OF AUCKLAND...THATS WHERE WE STAYED LAST NIGHT!
7.00PM...READING NEWSPAPER.
7.30PM...CORONATION STREET.
8.45PM...TIME FOR BED...WELL TIRED.


18.10.08...DAY 81...
9.40AM...LAZY IS ME.
9.55AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
10.20AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
11.00AM...BACON/TOMATO SANDWICH...STEVE AND ELAINE THE OWNERS OF THE LODGE HAVE JOINED US...SO I'M DOING A BACON SANDWICH FOR THEM AS WELL!
11.40AM...HAPPILY CHATTING...THEY'VE INVITED US ROUND FOR THE EVENING TO WATCH THE NZ VERSUS ENGLAND NETBALL MATCH...NETBALL IS BIG HERE!
1.00PM...WALKED INTO VILLAGE CENTRE...BUTCHERS...BOUGHT PORK STEAKS...SUPERMARKET...BOUGHT CABBAGE AND CARROTS.
2.05PM...MUSEUM...SMALL MUSEUM...NOT ALOT TO SAY...JUST HAPPY THAT IT WAS SMALL!
3.10PM...PUB.
4.25PM...BACK AT LODGE.
5.40PM...PORK/CABBAGE/CARROTS/SPUD...GREAT MEAL.
7.00PM...SITTING WITH STEVE AND ELAINE IN THERE LOUNGE...THEY ARE QUITE AN INTELLECTUAL COUPLE...I'M DOING MY BEST!
7.30PM...NZ/ENGLAND MATCH KICKS OFF.
8.15PM...THE NZ GIRLS ARE AN UGLY BUNCH...THEY ARE WINING BY A MARGIN AND A BIT!...I THINK THE REF IS NZish!
9.10PM...GAME OVER.
9.30PM...NU AND ELAINE IN SPA POOL...GLASSES OF WINE IN HAND.
11.00PM...WATCHING A VERY BRITISH FILM...'CHEERS AND TEARS'...A TOTALLY BRITISH A1 COMEDY.
1.00AM...TIME FOR BED...PHEW!


19.10.08...DAY 82....
8.00AM...MY EYELIDS ARE HEAVY.
8.15AM...SHOWER.
8.35AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.00AM...PACKING UP.
9.25AM...WEETABIX/ANOTHER CUPPA...MADE CHEESE SALAD SANDWICHES FOR JOURNEY.
10.10AM...CLIMBING TREE FOR GRAPEFRUITS!!
10.25AM...ON OUR WAY.
10.40AM...HEADING IN THE DIRECTION FOR WHANGAREI.
11.05AM...TOOK A DIVERSION...GOT LOST IN A PLACE CALLED 'ONE TREE POINT'.
12.10PM...HEADING FOR TUTUKAKA BEACH...SUPERMARKET...COOKED CHICKEN/PEAS.
12.40PM...MATAPOURI...TIME FOR A SANDWICH.
1.30PM...FOUND OUR WAY BACK TO MAIN ROAD.
2.20PM...KAWAKAWA...THIS PLACE IS FAMOUS FOR ITS PUBLIC TOILETS...TILES OF MANY COLOURS AND ODD BALL ITEMS CEMENTED INBETWEEN THEM...OK...I SUPPOSE?
3.10PM...BACK ON THE MAIN DRAG...NEXT STOP PAIHIA.
4.00PM...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS AT THE 'PICKLED PARROT LODGE'...TONIGHT[MONDAY[...AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT...TUESDAY WE ARE ON A 'BAY OF ISLANDS TOUR CRUISE'...VERY POSH?
5.10PM...ROAST CHICKEN/PEAS/SPUD...OK.
6.00PM...TIRED.
7.30PM...PHONED PAULINE.
8.30PM...NOISY CROWD OF KIDS OUTSIDE OUR ROOM...NEED TO SLEEP!


20.10.08...DAT 83...
6.30AM...OH I DO LIKE TO BE UP AT THE CRACK OF DAWN...HEAR THE THRILL OF TWITTY BIRDS...BREATHE THE EARLY MORNING AIR...GO TO THE LOO!
6.50AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
7.15AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
7.40AM...WEETABIX/ANOTHER CUPPA.
8.35AM...GETTING BAG READY FOR CRUISE TOUR...EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE.
9.10AM...MADE CHICKEN/LETTUCE SANDWICH FOR FOR PICNIC LUNCH.
9.40AM...WALKED TO TOWN CENTRE.
10.10AM...BOOKED CRIUSE TRIP...DEPARTS 5.00PM.
11.10AM...IN AND OUTA SHOPS.
11.40AM...FERRY TO 'RUSSELL ISLAND'...ONLY TAKES 10 MINS...10 DOLLARS RETURN.
12.10PM...ON A COACH/MINI BUS TOUR OF ISLAND...THE GUIDE IS ONLY INTERESTED IN TELLING US THE PRICE OF HOUSES!
1.20PM...SITTING ON BENCH IN BAY...SUN SHINING...CHICKEN SANDWICH/BEER.
2.10PM...BACK ON FERRY FOR RETURN TRIP TO PAIHIA...RUSSELL ISLAND?...NOT WORTH IT!
3.00PM...FISH[DORY] AND CHIPS...FISH SALTY...CHIPS UNCOOKED!
4.00PM...READING NEWSPAPER...BEER.
4.40PM...WALKING TO HARBOUR FOR START OF BOAT CRUISE.
5.10PM...BOARDING.
5.30PM...THE BOATS CAPTAIN TELLING US THE DO'S AND DON'TS.
5.50PM...IN OUR CABIN...HAD TO PAY AN EXTRA 40 DOLLARS FOR AN UPGRADE TO A PRIVATE CABIN!
6.20PM...NOTICED THE CURTAINS ON THE CABINS REAR SLIDING DOORS/WINDOWS DOES NOT FIT CORRECTLY...ALSO THE LOCK DOES NOT WORK...I WANT TO GO AND COMPLAIN...NU SAYS NOT TOO.
7.30PM...FOOD...MINISCULE AMOUNTS OF MEAT/PASTA/SALAD...DRINKS HAVE TO BE PAID FOR.
8.30PM...EVERYBODY DRINKING/WAFFLING...MET SOME FOLK WHO WE HAD MET AT FRANZ JOSEF[HELIHIKE].
11.30PM...BED.


21.10.08...DAY 84...
8.15AM...SLEPT FAIRLY WELL...WINE PROBABLY HELPED!
8.35AM...NEED A SHOWER...NO WATER...HOT OR COLD!...THIS CRUISE IS POOR...GETTING POORER.
9.00AM...MENTIONED THE WATER SITUATION TO A FEW CREW MEMBERS...THEY JUST SHRUGGED THERE SHOULDERS.
9.25AM...BREAKFAST...RICE CRISPIES...NOT KELLOGGS...CHEAP ONES...THEY DON'T SNAP,CRACKLE AND POP CONSISTENTLY!...COFFEE AWFUL!
10.30AM...NU SNORKELING...I'M AGITATED.
12.05PM...STOPPED AT SMALL ISLAND...NU KAYAKING...I'M AGITATED.
1.15PM...BACK ON BOAT...HEADING BACK TO HARBOUR WHERE THIS CRAP CRUISE STARTED!
3.00PM...BACK IN PAIHIA...THANK GOD...THE MONEY THAT WAS SPENT ON THAT TRIP WAS A WASTE...'ROCK THE BOAT TOURS'...FORGET IT!
3.40PM...BACK AT 'PICKLED PARROT LODGE'...BOOKED ANOTHER NIGHT...NEED A DAY OF REST TOMORROW.
4.00PM...SORTING WASHING.
4.20PM...SHOWER...WELL NEEDED!
4.45PM...WASHING IN MACHINE.
5.10PM...BACON/MUSHROOM/TOMATO/EGG/TOAST...A LATE LATE BREAKFAST.
5.30PM...WASHING ON LINE.
7.15PM...WASHING DRY AND FOLDED.
7.35PM...TV...CORONATION STREET!


BAY OF ISLANDS IS A LET DOWN...BUT IF I HAD NEVER COME...I WOULD NEVER HAVE KNOWN.

BYE FOR NOWZ.

nz continued...

7.10.08...day 70...
7.40AM...SLEPT LIKE A LOG...THE TOUR PARTY LEFT AT 7.30AM...DIDN'T HERE A THING!?
8.00AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.15AM...SHOWER.
8.40AM...RICE CRISPIES/CUPPA TEA...FED THE CAT SOME MILK NAMED FREE...LOVELY CAT.
9.30AM...ALL PACKED UP.
9.40AM...ON OUR WAY.
9.55AM...SUPERMARKET...PORK/CABBAGE/CARROTS/WINE.
10.30AM...ON OUR WAY AGAIN.
11.00AM...HOT WATER BEACH...APPARENTLY HERER YOU CAN DIG A HOLE IN THE SAND AND 65%[HOT] WATER WILL EMERGE...THATS HOT...UNFORTUNATELY THE TIDE IS IN AND ITS NOT GONNA HAPPEN TILL LATE AFTERNOON!...OUCH!
11.30AM...BACK IN CAR.
11.55AM...RAIN FALLING...WIND KNOCKING CAR FROM SIDE TO SIDE.
12.40PM...WHANGAMATA?...LETS DRIVE ON.
1.50PM...TAURANGA?...TO INDUSTRIAL...LETS DRIVE ON.
2.15PM...MOUNT MAUNGANUI?...LETS DRIVE ON...ITS THE PITS!
3.00PM...TE PUKE?...I AGREE...LETS DRIVE ON?
4.00PM...WHAKATANE?...YOU PRONOUCE THE WH LIKE AN F!
4.15PM...CARABOO LODGE...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS.
5.10PM...PORK UNDER GRILL...CARROTS/CABBAGE/SPUDS ON BOIL.
5.35PM...OK MEAL...PORK A WEE BIT OVERDONE.
6.00PM...READING LOCAL NEWSPAPER...LAST FRIDAY A MOB OF 150 PEOPLE ATTACKED THE POLICE WHILE THEY WERE PATROLING IN THERE POLICE CARS.
6.45PM...SPEAKING WITH A WOMAN NAMED ROSE...SHE IS GOING TO A LECTURE ON BRICKLAYING/BUILDING THIS EVENING!...THE RAIN IS POURING/THE WIND IS HOWLING...SHE'S GONNA WALK THERE!...THERE ARE SOME STRANGE FOLK IN NZ!
8.00PM...PHONED PAULINE.
8.30PM...GLASS OF WINE/PEANUTS.


8.10.08...DAY 71...
9.40AM...THE SUN IS SHINING.
10.05AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
10.25AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
11.00AM...RICE CRISPIES...CUPPA TEA.
11.50AM...WALKED IN TO TOWN CENTRE.
12.15PM...WALKING TOWN CENTRE.
1.50PM...ITALIAN RESTAURANT...ALTHOUGH ITS AN ITALIAN FOOD SERVING RESTAURANT THE CHEF IS NOT ITALIAN...ITS BEST TO CHECK THESE THINGS OUT FIRST!...MEATBALLS IN PASTA SAUCE...LUNCHTIME SPECIAL...ONLY 8 DOLLARS...SOMETIMES PRICE WISE YOU HAVE TO TAKE RISKS IN LIFE!
3.00PM...PUB.
4.00PM...SEARCHING FOR DENTIST...NU IN PAIN...CRACKED A TOOTH...WAS IT THE ITALIAN PASTA?!!
4.30PM...AT DENTISTS...ON WAITING LIST.
4.55PM...NU IN DENTAL CHAIR...I TRYING TO STAY COOL...READING ABOUT FARRAH FAWCETT AND HER CANCER PROBLEM!?
5.30PM...NU APPEARS...HER SMILE AS RETURNED...THEY'VE VARNISHED IT?
6.10PM...BACK AT CARABOO LODGE.
6.40PM...STEAK AND MUSHROOMS FOR ME...NU CAN'T EAT FOR AWHILE.
7.15PM...CHATTING WITH TWO YOUNG TRAINEE DOCTORS FROM NOTTINGHAM.
8.30PM...NU OK TO EAT NOW...CHEESE/CUCUMBER COB EACH...I THINK THE GIN AND TONIC HELPED!


9.10.08...DAY 72...
9.05AM...0UCH ITS LATE.
9.15AM...SHOWER.
9.35AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
9.55AM...PACKING UP.
10.20PM...RICE CRISPIES...ANOTHER CUPPA.
10.40AM...EVERYTHING IN CAR.
10.50AM...OFF WE SET.
11.25AM...OHOPE BEACH?...ITS A BEACH!
11.50AM...DRIVING ON.
1.00PM...OPOTIKI...NEED PETROL.
1.30PM...NEXT STOP GISBOURNE.
1.55PM...GOING UP HILL AND DOWN HILL...WHY DIDN'T THEY JUST DRILL A HOLE STRAIGHT THRU THE HILLSIDE?
2.30PM...GISBOURNE...IT LOOKS DULL...COMPARED TO THIS BLOG IT PROBABLY MAGICAL!
3.00PM...MONUMENT AT THE PLACE THE SHIP 'ENDEAVOUR' LANDED.
3.20PM...MONUMENT/STATUE OF JAMES COOKE...THE CAPTAIN OF THE 'ENDEAVOUR'.
3.25PM...MONUMENT/STATUE OF 'YOUNG NICK' THE LAD WHO WAS THE FIRST TO SPOT THE ISLANDS THAT WERE TO BECOME NZ.
3.55PM...PAK'N'SAVE SUPERMARKET...BOUGHT LAMB/CARROTS/PARSNIP.
4.20PM...FORGET GISBOURNE...ITS THE PITS.
5.00PM...MORERE...A SMALL VILLAGE...SOMETHING IF NOT NOTHING.
6.10PM...WAIROA...HAD ENOUGH OF DRIVING TODAY...GOTTA BE A PLACE HERE TO STAY.
6.30PM...THE FIRST HOTEL WE STOP TO LOOKAT AS A SIGN THAT SAYS 'NO GANG MEMBERS ALLOWED ON THESE PREMISES'!
6.40PM...A WOMAN NOTICES WE LOOK A BIT BEWILDERED AND DIRECTS US TO A CAMP/CABIN SITE.
7.00PM...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS IN CABIN WITH KITCHEN...VERY PLEASANT PEOPLE/OWNERS.
7.35PM...LAMB UNDER GRILL...VEGGIES ON BOIL.
8.05PM...PASSABLE MEAL...LAMB A BIT CHEWY.
8.40PM...IN OUR CABIN...TV ON...PLEASANT ENOUGH.
9.15PM...NU GOT BAD INDEGESTION AGAIN...I WISH I COULD HELP HER...SHE'S SUCH A SPECIAL PERSON.


10.10.08...DAY 73...
9.40AM...THESE BED NEEDS HELP...THE MATTRESS AS HAD IT'S DAY.
9.55AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
10.20AM...SHOWER...NEED A SHAVE...CAN'T BE BOTHERED.
10.50AM...SCRAMBLED EGG ON TOAST...ANOTHER CUPPA.
11.45AM...WALKING INTO TOWN CENTRE.
12.15PM...THIS IS A ONE STREET TOWN.
12.50PM...MAORI CARVINGS...I THINK THE MAORI FOLK ARE WONDERFUL...ALWAYS SMILING AND HELPFUL...BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND THERE CARVINGS...THEY PROBABLY WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND MY BLOG!...I LOVE LIFE...DON'T YOU?!
2.00PM...SUPERMARKET...YOU ARE PROBABLY WONDERING WHY WE GO TO THE SUPERMARKET EVERYDAY...THE ANSWER IS WE DON'T HAVE A FRIDGE IN OUR CAR!...ANYWAY NOT TO WORRY!...TARAKIHI FISH ON SPECIAL...IF YOU COME TO NZ...TRY TARAHIKI.
2.30PM...BACK AT OUR CABIN.
3.00PM...RELAXING IN SUN...NEARLY FINISHED NEWSPAPER.
4.30PM...FISH IN OVEN...BUTTERED AND LEMONED...PEAS AND SPUD ON BOIL.
5.00PM...FISH NOT AS TASY AS BEFORE?
6.10PM...SUN GONE IN...WATCHING TV.
6.50PM...GLASS OF WINE TIME.
7.20PM...TIME FOR A SHAVE.


11.10.08...DAY 74...
8.30AM...NU WAKE'S ME WITH A CUP OF TEA AND A BIRTHDAY CARD.
8.55AM...SHOWER.
9.30AM...PATE/TOAST...ANOTHER CUPPA...TEXTS MESSAGES COMING IN FROM ALL OVER THE GLOBE!!
10.05AM...EVERYTHING IN CAR.
10.20AM...SAYING FAREWELLS TO OWNERS OF A LOVELY HOLIDAY PARK.
10.30AM...ON THE ROAD TO NAPIER.
11.05AM...ANOTHER BENDY HILLY ROAD...I'M LUCKY TO GET OUTA THIRD GEAR!
11.50AM...BAYVIEW...ABOUT 8K FROM NAPIER...WE THINK WE MIGHT STAY HERE...WE READ IT WAS AN OK PLACE.
12.15PM...DECIDED IT WASN'T FOR US...DIDN'T LIKE THE LOOK OF THE OWNER.
12.50PM...NAPIER...AQUA LODGE...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS.
1.30PM...CHEESE/CUCUMBER/BRANSTON PICKLE SANDWICH...CAN OF LEMONADE.
2.10PM...WALKED INTO TOWN CENTRE.
2.30PM...THIS IS A SURPRISE...THIS TOWN LOOKS CLEAN!
3.15PM...NU HAPPY TAKING PHOTO'S OF ART DECO BUILDINGS.
4.30PM...PUB...BEER A BIT WATERY.
5.35PM...INDIAN RESTAURANT.
6.10PM...I ASKED FOR MEDIUM HOT...THIS IS BORDERING ON VINDALOO...NU'S IS THE SAME!
6.40PM...PAID THE BILL...MY TONGUE IS TO NUMB TO SPEAK!
7.20PM...BACK AT AQUA LODGE.
7.40PM...CUPPA TEA.
8.20PM...ANOTHER CUPPA TEA...HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEE!


12.10.08...DAY 75...
10.00AM...BETTER MOVE...FEEL HUNGRY.
10.15AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
10.35AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
11.05AM...RICE CRISPIES/TOAST...ANOTHER CUPPA.
11.50AM...TWO GERMAN GIRLS HAVE JOINED US.
12.30PM...BUSILY WAFFLING ABOUT OUR TRIP...FOR SOME REASON THEY SEEM INTERESTED...ALTHOUGH A LOTTA PEOPLE ARE AMAZED WE HAVE COVERED 14 COUNTRIES.
1.00PM...BOTTLES OF BEER.
2.00PM...STILL WAFFLING.
2.40PM...IT'S 20 TO 3...AND WE HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING BUT WAFFLE TODAY!
3.05PM...WALKING TO THE MARINA AND OTHER THINGS?
3.30PM...ONLY GOT AS FAR AS THE SUPERMARKET!...HAD TO MUCH BEER!
3.55PM...DEPARTING SUPERMARKET WITH COOKED ROAST CHICKEN/SALAD/COBS.
4.15PM...BACK AT LODGE.
4.35PM...HAPPILY SCOFFING CHICKEN SALAD COB.
5.10PM...READING KEN FOLLETT NOVEL...PAPER MONEY.
6.30PM...WATCHING TV...A PROG ABOUT CLEANING BRITAIN OF LITTER.
7.40PM...BACK TO MY BOOK...ANOTHER BEER...BUSY OLD DAY!


13.10.08...DAY 76...
7.30AM...WE ARE GONNA GO AND SEE THE MARINA AND THINGS THAT WE DIDN'T SEE YESTERDAY...BEFORE WE LEAVE TOWN.
7.50AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.10AM...SHOWER.
8.35AM...NU DOING THE PACKING...I WON'T GET IN THE WAY.
9.10AM...WEETABIX...ANOTHER CUPPA...THERES NO RICE CRISPIES LEFT...YOU ONLY GET SIX SERVINGS TO A BOX.
9.45AM...EVERYTHING IN CAR.
10.10AM...PARKED UP ON SEA FRONT...BEACH LOOKS BLACK.
10.25AM...A WORKING CLOCK IN A FLOWER BED.
10.45AM...WALKING THE MARINE...FLOWERS IN BLOOM EVERYWHERE...NU LOVES IT...I FANCY AN ICECREAM.
11.30AM...BACK IN CAR...NU HAPPY TO SEE WHAT SHE AS SEEN...I DIDN'T GET MY ICECREAM.
11.40AM...ON THE ROAD TO TAUPO.
12.40PM...STOPPED FOR EATS...WE STILL HAVE CHICKEN AND SALAD LEFT FROM YESTERDAY.
1.10PM...OFF WE SET AGAIN...TUMIES CONTENT.
2.00PM...TAUPO...RAINBOW LODGE...ONLY GOT A TWIN AVAILABLE...IT'LL DO...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS.
3.00PM...WALKED TO INFO CENTRE...THERE ARE A FEW THINGS WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE HERE.
3.40PM...IRISH PUB...MEAL WITH A BEER[BURGER AND CHIPS OR PASTA] FOR 10 DOLLARS...ABOUT 3.80p EACH.
5.00PM...STILL IN PUB...SUN SHINING...2 FOR 1 WHISKY MIXERS...NU ON PINTS OF LAGER.
7.00PM...SUPERMARKET...BREAD/MILK/DENTAL FLOSS.
7.40PM...BACK AT LODGE.
8.15PM...CHEESE/CUCUMBER SANDWICH...RED WINE.
8.35PM...READING BOOK...FEEL TIRED.


PHONETICALLY IN MAORI...'KATTIE PI' MEANS THANK YOU/GOOD/YOU ALRIGHT?...WELL ITS DEFINATELY ONE OF THOSE...WELL WHO CARES?!...STILL GOT MY PONYTAIL...JUST NEED A PAIR OF JESUS BOOTS AND A PAIR OF FLARES!


BYE FOR NOWZ!

nz continued...

3.10.08...DAY 66...
9.40AM...NEEDA CUPPA...MOUTH DRY.
9.55AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
10.15AM...STILL IN BED.
10.55AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
11.30AM...RICE CRISPIES/ANOTHER CUPPA.
12.05PM...WAKED TO TOWN CENTRE INFO CENTRE.
12.25PM...BOOKED TRAIN TRIP INTO HILLS/MOUNTAINS.
1.15PM...DROVE TO TRAIN DEPARTURE PLACE.
1.35PM...TRYING TO LOOK INTERESTED AT GIFT SHOP OFFERINGS.
1.55PM...BOARD TRAIN[BORED TRAIN!].
2.30PM...GOING UP MOUNTAIN TRACK...THE VIEWS ARE OK.
2.40PM...TRAIN STOPPED AT 'EYEFUL TOWER'?
2.50PM...BACK ON TRAIN FOR REVERSE JOURNEY... A CHAP CALLED BARRY BRICKNELL ARRIVED HERE ABOUT FIFTY YEARS AGO TO BECOME THE LOCAL PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHER...BUT INSTEAD BUILT THIS RAILWAY AND SURVIVED ON SELLING POTTERY...HE'S A BIT OF AN ECCENTRIC...ALSO ANY MONEY THAT THE RAILWAY EARNS GOES BACK IN TO MAINTAINING THE UPKEEP OF THE RAILWAY...HE WISHES EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT...NICE GUY...NOT MANY PEOPLE FIND THERE TRUE WANTS IN LIFE...THIS GUY AS...I APPLAUD HIM.
3.10PM...BACK AT STARTING POINT...GIFT SHOP...STILL TRYING TO LOOK INTERESTED.
3.25PM...DRIVING TO NEAREST PUB.
3.50PM...BEER/BUTTERED CHICKEN AND RICE...NOT WORTH THE PRICE.
5.00PM...BACK AT LODGE.
6.00PM...WAFFLING WITH WELSH COUPLE.


4.10.08...DAY 67...
9.00AM...MIGHT GO FOR A WALK TODAY...PROBABLY WON'T!
9.20AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
9.50AM...SHOWER
10.30AM...RICE CRISPIES/ANOTHER CUPPA.
11.10AM...ENDEVOURING TO RELAX...READING NEWSPAPER.
12.35PM...WALKED INTO VILLAGE CENTRE[THEY CALL IT A TOWN...BUT ITS REALLY A VILLAGE].
1.00PM...SUPERMARKET...BOUGHT A BAG OF FROZEN PRAWNS...WE ARE ENGLISH WE ARE ALLOWED TO BUY OUR FISH FROM SUPERMARKETS!...MOST KIWI'S DANGLE A LINE AND WISH FOR THERE SUPPER.
1.40PM...PUB.
3.00PM...BACK AT LODGE.
4.30PM...PRAWNS/PESTO/PASTA...TASTED OK.
6.00PM...FILM ON KIWI TV...NED KELLY.
7.30PM...PHONED MOTHER.
8.10PM...THOUGHTFUL ABOUT THE DAY...WELL WE DID GO FOR A WALK OF SORTS!


5.10.08...DAY 68...
5.30AM...WOKE UP...NOT FEELIN TO GOOD.
5.40AM...TOILET.
6.00AM...STILL NOT FEELING WELL...LAST TIME I HAVE FROZEN PRAWNS...GONNA GET A FISHING ROD AND SEND NUALA OUT FOR SUPPER!
8.00AM...BOOKED ANOTHER NIGHT...ALTHOUGH THERES NOT A LOT TO DO HERE...ITS A PLEASANT PLACE TO BE...APRT FROM THE FROZEN PRAWNS I HAVE NO COMPLAINTS.
9.00AM...BACK IN BED.
1.30PM...WOKE...FEELING WEAK...NU OK...SHE HAD PRAWNS AS WELL...LIFES SO UNFAIR!
3.00PM...SHAVE/SHOWER...ARMPITS A BIT WHIFFY!
4.00PM...WATCHING VIDEO...BORAT/KAZAKSTAN.
5.45PM...WALKED INTO VILLAGE CENTRE...HUNGRY...DON'T KNOW WHAT I WANT?
6.30PM...RESTAURANT.
6.50PM...ORDERED T-BONE STEAK/SALAD/CHIPS...NU HAD RED SNAPPER FISH.
8.00PM...THAT WAS THE WORST T-BONE I HAVE HAD IN MY EXISTANCE ON THIS PLANET!
9.00PM...BACK AT LODGE.
9.15PM...TOILET...TAKEN NEWSPAPER WITH ME...MIGHT BE A LONG HAUL!


6.10.08...DAY 69...
6.00AM...NOT A VERY GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP...NU HAD BAD INDEGESTION.
6.10AM...WATCHING CHELSEA/VILLA MATCH LIVE ON SKY TV.
6.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.30AM...NOT A VERY GOOD MORNING SO FAR...VILLA 2-0 DOWN.
7.50AM...SHOWER.
8.25AM...PACKING UP.
9.05AM...RICE CRISPIES/ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.50AM...ON THE ROAD OUTA CORAMANDEL ON ROUTE TO WHITIANGA.
10.15AM...HERE WE GO...UP HILL...DOWN DALE...SCENERY VERY GREEN.
11.50AM...HIGH STREET,WHITIANGA...RAIN POURING...WE ARE TIRED HAVING NOT SLEPT SO WELL.
12.30PM...BOOKED ONE NIGHT AT THE 'TURTLE COVE' LODGE.
1.40PM...WALKED INTO TOWN CENTRE...WIND HOWLING...LEAST THE RAIN AS STOPPED.
2.20PM...PUB.
2.40PM...DECIDE WE HAD BETTER HAVE SOMETHING TO EAT.
2.45PM...OUCH!...THEY STOPPED SERVING AT 2.30PM!
3.40PM...BACK AT 'TURTLE COVE' LODGE.
4.00PM...CHEESE/BRANSTON PICKLE SANDWICH...BEER.
5.00PM...WATCHING VIDEO...'ONE LAST CHANCE'...ABOUT 4 SCOTS LADS...COMEDY.
6.10PM...BAKED SPUD/CHEESE/BUTTER.
6.20PM...COACH LOAD OF 18-21 YEAR OLDS ARRIVE.
6.55PM...THE PLACE IS SWARMING...EVERYWHERE SMELLS OF SPAG BOL...PLUS I COULDN'T HEAR THE END OF THE VIDEO I WAS WATCHING!
8.00PM...CHATTING WITH SOME OF THE LADS IN THE COACH PARTY...THEY ARE NOT A BAD LOT...JUST NOISY!


ITS TOUGH AT THE BOTTOM!


BYE FOR NOWZ.

NZ CONTINUED....

1.10.08...DAY 64...
9.40AM...NO HURRY...WHY HURRY...BE HAPPY.
10.05AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
10.30AM...SHOWER/SHAVE.
11.15AM...BACON/MUSHROOM/EGG ON TOAST...CUPPA TEA.
12.10PM...NU SEARCHING FOR HER ANXIETY PILLS.
12.20PM...NU FOUND HER ANXIETY PILLS...SHE WAS GETTING A BIT ANXIOUS!
12.23PM...IN CAR...FOOT DOWN.
12.34PM...WAITOMO GLOWWORM CAVE SEEING TOUR...IT WAS MEANT TO START AT 12.3OPM...LUCKILY THEY ARE RUNNING LATE.
12.45PM...WALKING THRU DEEP DARK CAVERNS...NO SIGN OF GLOWORMS YET.
12.55PM...BIG OLD CAVE THIS ONE...STALAGNITES AND STALAGTITES...THEY CALL THIS CAVE THE CATHEDRAL...KENNY ROGERS AND THE VIENNA VOICE CHOIR HAVE PERFORMED HERE[AMONGST OTHERS]...THE ACCOUSTICS ARE GOOD...SO WE ARE TOLD...ARE EXCEPTIONAL...SHOULD I BURST INTO SONG!?
1.05PM...WALKING FURTHER INTO CAVE[CAVES]...A FEW GLOWORMS ARE GLOWING.
1.20PM...IN A BOAT/LONG CANOE...GOING THRU CAVE WATER WAY...GLOWORMS IN ABUNDANCE...LOOKS LIKE A 1980'S DISCO!...WAITOMO MEANS WATERHOLE ON MAORI...THIS CAVE WAS FOUND BY A MAN WALKING HIS DOG IN 1910...I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE NAMED THE CAVE AFTER THE DOG...TREVOR?
1.35PM...TOUR OVER...AS WE EMERGE FROM THE CAVE THE HEAVENS OPEN.
1.45PM...IN CAR ON THE WAY TO NEXT TOUR THAT STARTS AT 2.00PM.
2.05PM...RUNIAKA CAVES...NARROW DOOR WAY...NU AND I GO IN SIDEWAYS.
2.20PM...VAST INSIDE...LIGHTS BOUNCING OF STALAGTITES/STALAGNITES...WONDER IF THE BEEGEES ARE IN RESIDENCE?
2.40PM...WELL WORTH A VISIT...BUT NOT AS GOD AS GLOWORM TOUR.
3.10PM...GIFT SHOP.
3.20PM...NU BOUGHT SHOULDER BAG AND POSTCARDS.
3.50PM...PUB...GIRL[REBECCA] WE MET IN KIWIANA,SOUTH ISLE IS THERE...SMALL WORLD.
4.20PM...PLAYING POOL WITH LOCAL.
5.00PM...LOST 2-1...LIFES UNFAIR...THE CUE WAS USELESS!
5.15PM...TWISTED SHRIMPS/SALAD/CHIPS...COULD HAVE DONE WITH AFEW MORE SHRIMPS!
6.20PM...BACK AT LODGE...I'VE ENJOYED TODAY.


2.10.08...DAY 65...
8.10AM...LONG DRIVE TODAY.
8.20AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.40AM...SHOWER.
9.10AM...TOAST/JAM...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.40AM...I THINK THATS EVERYTHING IN THE CAR.
9.55AM...OFF WE SET.
10.25AM...SUPERMARKET/NEWSAGENTS.
11.50AM...HAMILTON...APPARENTLY THE WORST TOWN IN NZ FOR THUGGERY...GOT LOST...GOING WRONG WAY...NZ DOESN'T DO GOOD ROAD SIGNS.
12.40PM...CORAMANDEL PENISULA...56K TO GO.
2.00PM...CORAMANDEL TOWN...LOOKS INVITING.
2.30PM...BOOKED 3 NIGHTS AT ANCHOR LODGE.
3.20PM...THEY'RE STILL BUILDING THE PLACE...SO I FAIR BIT OF BANGING GOING ON...THATS PROBABLY WHY ITS ONLY FIFTY DOLLARS A NIGHT.
4.10PM...WALKED INTO TOWN CENTRE...ONLY A STONE'S THROW.
4.50PM...NEED FOOD.
5.20PM...FISH AND CHIPS...GUANARD AND LEMON.
5.40PM...WONDERFUL FISH...CHIPS?...WELL...CHIPS ARE CHIPS.
6.30PM...BACK AT LODGE...READING NEWSPAPER...GLASS OF RED WINE.

SEE YOU SOON.

BYE FOR NOWZ.

NZ CONTINUED

26.9.08...DAY 59...

7.40AM...WE GOTTA GET OUTA THIS PLACE.

8.05AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.

8.20AM...SHOWER.

8.50AM...PACKING BAGS.

9.20AM...BREAD/JAM...CUPPA.

9.55AM...OFF WE SET.

10.15AM...HEADING IN DIRECTION OF NEW PLYMOUTH.

11.35AM...HAWARA...PARKED UP.

11.55AM...WALKING TOWN CENTRE.

12.40PM...MORRISONS...NAMED AFTER A FAMOUS PERSON WHO LIVED IN THE AREA...APPARENTLY ITS A 'MUST EAT AT PLACE'!

1.05PM...ORDERED PIZZA OF SORTS...BACON/TOMATO/SALAMI ETC?

1.17PM...PIZZA ARRIVES COLD!

1.19PM...PIZZA SENT BACK!

1.25PM...PIZZA RETURNS BURNT!

1.40PM...PICKING THRU HORRIBLEY TASTING PIZZA.

2.30PM...DRIVING ONWARDS TO NEW PLYMOUTH.

4.30PM...AFTER SEVERAL STOPS FOR PHOTO TAKING SESSIONS...FINALLY ARRIVE IN NEW PLYMOUTH.

4.50PM...SUNFLOWER LODGE...THEY DIDN'T HAVE A DOUBLE AVAILABLE...BUT THEY HAVE A SISTER LODGE THAT DOES...THE WOMAN SAYS ITS VERY NICE?

5.20PM...SISTER LODGE...WE BOOK ONE NIGHT.

5.45PM...WISH WE HADN'T BOOKED A NIGHT...THERE'S SOME STRANGE PEOPLE WALKING AROUND.

6.10PM...I ASKED THE MANAGER IF HE KNEW HOW TO WORK THE OVEN...HE DIDN'T!...HALF THE LIGHTS DIDN'T WORK IN THE PLACE...HE WAS UNCONCERNED...A WOMAN SAT NIBBLING AT A PIZZA...LOOKING STRANGELY WEARY OF ANYBODY PASSING...THERE IS ANOTHER WOMAN WALKING AND TALKING NERVOUSLY AND ENDS EVERY SENTENCE IN THE WORD 'STRANGE...THIS PLACE WAS ONCE AN OLD PEOPLES HOME THAT AS BEEN CONVERTED INTO A HOSTEL...I THINK SOME OF THE PEOPLE FORGOT TO LEAVE!

7.15PM...I FINALLY MANAGED TO WORK OUT HOT HOW THE OVEN WORKED.

7.35PM...STEAK/MUSHROOM SANDWICH/BEER.

8.10PM...WATCHING WIERD AND WONDERFUL VIDEO CALLED SHARKS VERSUS EAGLES...ITS AN APT FILM FOR THIS PLACE.





27.9.08...DAY 60...

7.55AM...WE GOTTA GET OUTA THIS PLACE!

8.15AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.

8.35AM...SHOWER.

9.25AM...EVERYTHING PACKED UP.

9.40AM...BREAD/JAM...CUPPA TEA.

10.05AM...OFF WE SET FOR STRATFORD...MOST OF THE ROADS ARE NAMED AFTER PEOPLE IN SHAKESPEAREN PLAYS.

11.15AM...HOILIDAY PARK...YORKSHIRE WOMAN IN CHARGE.

11.40AM...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS IN CABIN.

12.30PM...BACON/MUSHROOM/EGG SANDWICH...CUPPA.

1.20PM...NU DOING LAUNDRY.

2.30PM...SUPERMARKET.

3.25PM...PUB.

4.50PM...CHINESE?...IT IS THE WORST CHINESE I HAVE EVER TASTED!

6.00PM...IN OUR CABIN...THINGS CAN ONLY GET BETTER!

7.00PM...LISTENING TO MY IPOD THINGY.





28.9.08...DAY 61...

10.00AM...ARE THINGS GONNA GET BETTER...NZ FOLK ARE A FUNNY LOT...I COULD NEVER LIVE HERE!

10.20AM...CUPPA TEA.

10.45AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.

11.35AM...BACON/MUSHROOM/SCRAMBLED EGG...ANOTHER CUPPA.

12.15PM...WE ARE OFF TO SEE A MUSEUM?

12.40PM...NORMANBY...A SMALL VILLAGE ABOUT 20K OUTSIDE STRATFORD.

1.00PM...THE 'TAWHITI' MUSEUM...10 DOLLAR ENTRANCE FEE.

2.30PM...THIS IS A HERITAGE MUSEUM...MODELS OF PEOPLE FROM TWO INCHES HIGH TO A NORMAL SIZE PERSON...VERY DETAILED...VERY INTRICATE...THEY ARE IN SCENES DEPICTING LIVE AS IT WAS MANY YEARS AGO WHEN THE MAORI WERE FIGHTING FOR THEIR LAND AGAINST THE BRITISH...ITS VERY WELL TOLD THRU THE EYES OF A CHAP CALLED KIMBLE BENT...ITS WOTHWHILE TAKING A LOOK AND 10 DOLLARS IS WELL SPENT...PROBABLY THE BEST PLACE I HAVE BEEN ON THE NORTH ISLE.

4.15PM...A WELL SPENT AFTERNOON...IF YOU COME TO NZ...NOT TO BE MISSED.

5.00PM...PUB.

6.00PM...TIME TO EAT...PORK/CABBAGE/CARROT/SPUD.

7.00PM...WATCHING KIWI TV.

9.45PM...STILL WATCHING TV...WHEN A CHAP[MORON]...SAYS ITS TIME TO CLOSE THE TV ROOM...SO WE DID NOT GET TO SEE THE END OF A DRAMA CALLED 'TORN'.
9.50PM...IN CABIN...IRATE!...THERE IS DEFINATELY SOMETHING FUNNY ABOUT THE KIWI'S!


29.9.08...DAY 62...
8.00AM...STILL IRATE ABOUT MISSING LAST 15 MINS OF DRAMA!
8.15AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.35AM...SHOWER.
9.10AM...PACKING BAGS.
9.40AM...TOAST/PATE...ANOTHER CUPPA.
10.05AM...EVERTHING IN CAR.
10.20AM...HEADING FOR HORARA[INFO CENTRE].
10.50AM...HORARA...INFO CENTRE/INTERNET.
11.35AM...HEADING BACK TO STRATFORD.
12.40PM...WAITING FOR MINI LOOKING BIG BEN CLOCK TO CHIME AT 1.00PM.
1.01PM...CLOCK CHIMING.
1.03PM...FIGURES OF ROMEO AND JULIET POP OUT QUOTING SHAKESPEARE...VERY AMUSING?
1.08PM...ITS ALL OVER...WAS IT WORTH IT?...NU WAS HAPPY SNAPPING.
1.25PM...IN CAR...ON THE ROAD BACK TO NEW PLYMOUTH...THATS WHERE THE NUTTY PEOPLE HOSTEL WAS.
2.40PM...SHOESTRING BACKPACKERS...BOOK DOUBLE ROOM FOR ONE NIGHT.
3.00PM...WALKING TO 'PUKE IRIKI' MUSEUM...WEATHER WELL WINDY.
3.20PM...I'M BORED...ANOTHER BORING MUSEUM...FULL OF STUFFED ANIMALS FROM LONG AGO.
4.35PM...THANK GOD THATS OVER...HEADING BACK TO BACKPACKERS.
5.30PM...FRYING STEAK/MUSHROOMS...SPUDS IN OVEN.
6.40PM...CHATTING WITH SOME KIWI CHAPS...INTERESTING BUNCH...THEY THOUGHT I WAS OZ...BECAUSE OF MY BOOTS AND HAIR!
7.45PM...WITH NU IN ROOM...BOTTLE OF WINE x 2...TALKING SILLY THOUGHTS...WE GONNA WRITE A BOOK TOGETHER...WELL WE WANT TOO!.


30.9.08...DAY 63...
7.40AM...HAD CRAMP IN THE NIGHT...RIGHT LEG...DIDN'T SLEEP WELL.
8.05AM...BIT DRY...PINEAPPLE JUICE.
8.30AM...SHOWER.
8.55AM...DIDN'T BRING A LOT IN FROM THE CAR...SEEMS TO HAVE SPREAD IT SELF AROUND MIND.
9.30AM...KITCHEN...TWO CUPS OF TEA...I DIDN'T FEEL HUNGRY...NU HAD PATE AND TOAST.
10.10AM...SUPERMARKET...MINCE/CABBAGE/CARROT/EGGS/ENERGY DRINK/BEER/WINE...JACOBS CREEK ON OFFER!/COOKED ROAST BEEF.
10.50AM...BACK IN CAR.
11.15AM...HEADING OUT NEW PLYMOUTH.
11.40AM...NZ DRIVERS ARE CRAZY...OVERTAKING ON BENDS.
12.15PM...STOPPED AT PICNIC SITE.
12.25PM...ROAST BEEF/COLEMANS MUSTARD SANDWICH.
1.00PM...ON WE DRIVE.
2.00PM...WAITOMA CAVES...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS AT LOCAL LODGE.
3.10PM...BOOKED CAVE TOUR TRIP FOR TOMORROW.
3.40PM...BACK AT LODGE...SUN SHINING...BUT I'M COLD.
3.50PM...NU DOING MORE LAUNDRY.
4.25PM...WASHING ON LINE.
5.05PM...PUB...I'M HUNGRY.
5.45PM...DECIDED TO COME BACK TO LODGE AND COOK OUR MINCE/CABBAGE ETC.
6.20PM...HAPPILY!COOKING...NU READING.
7.05PM...A WONDERFUL MEAL.
7.25PM...I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THEY ARE A FUNNY BUCH THAT ARE STOPPING HERE...I WON'T SAY TO MUCH...I DON'T WANNA BORE YOU!


FUNNY PEOPLE.

BYE FOR NOWZ.