We arrive in Orewa after an ok drive (bit wet and the gear changer is a stick changer so took a little bit to get used to). We stay at a proper camp site as we are both knackered and just want to eat and have a beer. We book in and then drive 2 mins down the road and get some fish and chips and some beers. When we get back to the camper van, the engine is completely dead and the motor won't even turn over!! Just our bloomin luck!! Then some crazy kiwi guy who was really hectic, pulled up in his johned up car with a big go faster exhaust and came over to help and was under the car with a spanner and doing all sorts of things! Eventually they gave us a bump start and we got back to the camp site ok. We turned the engine off and then back on again so thought well maybe it will be ok! The next morning.....absolutely nothing! I had to push the van down a slight slope whilst we tried to bump start it (bloody knackered!) and failed miserably but did manage to push it into everyones way! Some other kind kiwis helped us and we got it started and then took it to a garage and replaced the battery......since then it's been tickety boo!!

We stayed another night in Orewa by a river and met a Kiwi Londoner and had a really good chat with her - everyone we have met so far is really friendly.....it's such a refreshing change! We are now planning our route up the East coast and also thinking of a change of curtains and bedding etc in the camper. The Italian guy was a keen fisherman so it did smell a little funky!!