Well, we only have 2 weeks left in New Zealand. Mike has gone back to work today and we are just waiting for the chimney sweep to arrive. On Monday evening we all went to the Santa Lucia restaurant for dinner as it was Sheila's birthday. We had a really lovely meal. After dinner we walked along the waterfront. There were lots of people about, many of them had taken picnics and the beach was really busy. Yesterday morning we went over to Mike's sisters hou...

Today we have visited Alberton House. This house was built in 1863 and was the home of the Taylor family for over 100 years until it was bequeathed to the New Zealand Historic Places Trust by Muriel Kerr-Taylor in 1972. The house contains much of the original family furniture and collection, and some 19th century wallpapes still decorate the walls. It was opened as a house museum in 1973. When it was built in 1863 it stood at the head of 500 acres of land. Origi...

We have just spent a lovely week at Taupo. The weather has been really hot and sunny. Neil joined us on 3 Jan after spending a week in the South Island walking in Arthurs Pass. His friends Joe and Gillian stopped and had a meal with us on their way back to Auckland. Adrienne and Ian, who live in Taupo, have really spoilt us this week - we have been to their house several evenings for dinner and even cooked the trout that Neil and Mike caught. We spent a lovely...

HAPPY NEW YEAR It is now 2008 here in New Zealand. Do hope you all had a good Christmas. We have been very busy visiting and people visiting Sheila and Mike. We have just seen in the New Year with lots of fireworks just like home. Today we are all going down to Lake Taupo for a week, staying in a cottage. Sheila has arranged a fishing trip one day and then an evening boat trip with BBQ another evening. We are also going over to Rotarua to the hot springs...

Saturday, Neil decided that we needed yet more excerise and took us by Ferry across the harbour to Rangitoto Island. He had visited this place last time he was in N.Z. (about 10 years ago). We walked (or should I say trekked) up to the top of this now extinct Volcano. Rangitoto was formed about 600 years ago. After reaching the summit which I must admit was well worth the effort we walked down (an easier way) to Yankee Wharf where we had our picnic lunch. From th...