On turning south our first visit was to a pub or tavern as it is called. This Tavern started life in the early 1800's to support the shipyard workers. In fact it’s the earliest tavern in NZ. Peter had to have a quick half. It was interesting historically, but a bit soulless, a bit like a large social club for sheep and cattle….. farmers. We then headed to the site of the Wairere Boulders. Basically it’s a valley full of rather large basal...

After breakfast we went and picked up Sid – our campervan for the next 60 days (sorry but all our vehicles have been named). Sid is compact (not as compact as Gerty) and most importantly it has an inside shower and toilet – luxury. Before leaving the hotel we caught the traffic news on the TV news channel. Bearing in mind that this is a big city, the traffic report consisted of information regarding three blocked highways; by a horse, two cows and a...

Hi all, we finally arrived after a rather long flight consisting of 13 hours to Singapore and another 9 to Auckland. We did feel a bit rough, in fact I still do. Singapore was the best airport we have ever been in. It had a butterfly garden - yes in the terminal, a rather swish man made pond with giant Koi Carp, people handing out sweets and little cakes, others asking if you wanted assistance every time you stopped and looked blank (which, with the jet lag, was ...