Had a morning around Rotoura town centre then caught the Bus which took nearly 8 hours and many ipod songs to roll into Wellington via Palmerston North. I walked from the bus stop in the dark to Wellywood Backpackers, and didnt get lost once much to my surprise. I met Gibbo who had already arrived and had laid claim (rightly as first arrival!) to the only lower bunk bed. We did get an upgrade for a few nights thanks to a welcome clerical error.

The 2nd Test Match started the following day, and was just up the road from Wellywood so we got our 5 day passes (only 28 quid again) and sat on the mainly sun-drenched bank for the whole match watching England make amens for the dismal effort at Hamilton to level the series at 1-1. Tim Ambrose got the Man of the Match for a century, presumably inspired by a bizaare barmy army song involving custard - although Sidebottom (subject of another popular song which involved a sexual act or a glass of wine depending on his place in the batting order) and Collingwood ran him close.

Most evenings we drank much beer and played lots of pool in the varous bars which are rammed on Fridays and Saturdays but very quiet the rest of the time, the Irish bars being an exception on Paddys day on the Monday. We also met up with Mr&Mrs Bugg senior, and later various barmy army people in the popular Feathers where bands played various covers and the crowd sang numerous cricketing songs.

Needless to say as we won at lunchtime on the 5th day more beer was drunk in celebration. I did manage to fit in a trip to the impressive museum and a walk along the harbour front in warm sunshine before the pub proved too inticing during late afternoon.

I was invited to join the Barmy Army bus for free for a trip to Taupo the following day which I did, I got a taxi from Wellywood to there Copthorne Hotel and was greeted by a string of very hungover people.....