Well it's time to head further north. I have a housesit in Kaikohe which is about 240kms north of Auckland, near the Bay of Islands. It's a very miserable day and therefore not much to see out of the bus window. It's also the Queens Birthday long weekend and as a result the bus is fairly full. But by the time of the last leg from Kawakawa to Kaikohe I'm the only passenger left. Obviously Kaikohe is not a "must visit" sort of town. My housesit is more like ...

Well I was hoping that as I headed north that the weather would be "nicer". It is, but it depends on what time of the day you look out the window. On the upside I have done plenty of reading and having a warming wood fire at night is rather homely. This housesit has also provide me with a first - an earthquake evacuation kit. I haven't been through it in detail but it mainly seems to be about the dogs - food, medication that sort of thing. I think there's a f...

Wellington is renowned for its blustery, cold and grey weather. I suppose I can count myself fortunate that the wind wasn't there but the rain and the coolness certainly were. But I just followed the local custom - put on a rain jacket or pop an umbrella and get on with life! I catch the local bus into the city and experience something that I will do so each time I catch a bus in Wellington. As people get off they make a point of thanking the driver, even when...

I have decided to cover the north coast of the South Is by staying in 3 different towns. Motueka, Nelson and Picton/Blenheim. First stop is Motueka, which is in the north west area of the North Island. It is the major town closest to the Abel Tasman National Park and therefore a popular tourist stop. My Airbnb here is probably the best I have stayed in so far. Lovely house and fantastic hosts - a Kiwi/Sth African couple who love their rugby. We spend every ...

My northward trek up the west coast continued, with Greymouth the next stop. I had read that this place was in its death throes and from what I saw I think that may be right. The most exciting thing I saw were the waves crashing with ferocious force over the end of the breakwater. Apparently there is a sand bar just out from the breakwater which has caused much loss of life over the years as evidenced by the many plaques commemorating those who have died. Ot...