Arrived, as did the ship Queen Victoria, in Wellington early pm here Sunday. We checked into hotel and immediately went to the airport to drop of the rental car and meet and greet Emma and family. They arrived 10 minutes after we got there. It was such a rush I only got the Cam working after they actually had come thru. It must have been very strange to fly 27 hours around the world to a country you have never been before and be greeted on arrivals by your father...

Today Saturday 16th we drove into Napier, at 12 there was a fantastic air display of prop aircraft over the marine parade and then at 12-30 the parade of cars started . I guess there must have been a 300 -400 old cars including Morris 8's, 10's and 12's. Rolls Royces, Model T Fords, Packards etc . All the drivers and passengers were dressed to kill 1930's style, as were a very large number of the spectators. Peg then bought another pair of sandles. The shop owner...

Now in Hastings by Napier, staying at B&B Hawthorn Lodge - with three other couples - owners are ex UK who spent some time first in Oz. The chap is very similar to Ian G in personality and in looks to Ian's friend. Amazing week-end of Art Deco events. Car rally of some 350 cars with 1920/1930's cars in pristine condition and also a large number of population dressed up in 20's and 30' s US garb. Off to see Parade at 12 and Peggy to buy the set of sandles she ...

Since yesterday we have stayed here in Tongariro National Park - see web site of Bayview Chateau Tongariro. This morning we drove up the mountain on a very winding road from the hotel (at 1,400 metres above sea level) to the ski lift when Peggy decided she did not feel well, so we drove straight back down. Peg stayed in the room to rest and I went for 2 hour walk to a waterfall towards the volcano. Came back at 2 ish and we had a light lunch and we then both went...

We are now in the National Park. We left Russell after a relaxing time at the Duke of Marlboro hotel. We then drove down to Coromandel which took all of one day. We stopped for lunch just north of Auckland for a bite (Wardsworth?) village very pretty on the river but the Lonely Planet let us down on lunch recommendation!! We spent 2 days at the Puka Park hotel at the edge of the Coromandel which is a resort hotel very relaxing in our own chalet. Spent our free d...