just got back from an amzing weekend, jennie and i did a roadtrip up to the northern tip of NZ. We set off Friday eveing around 4 ish and got stuck in rush hour traffic straight away which took about an hour to get through, but once we had got to out if was all systems go. On the way we stopped for a picknik, i had brought drumsticks, rolls, salad and had also made fruit salad and a sponge cake, so it was a right treat for us both. At around 9pm we got intp Paihia, where we found a campsite. After a much needed shower and a beer we got an early night. I actually slept quite well too. The next morning we were up bright and early and headed into town to grab a coffe and some milk for our cereal. From here to headed to the next town called Waitangi where we went to the treaty grounds. This place is very important in NZ history because it was here that the maroi signed the peace treaty with the british. I found it very interesting and the grounds were just stunning. After here we headed to beach for lunch and a swim. In the afternoon we had booked to go on a horse trek, this was lots of fun and my horse was called Jimmy. He was a big grey old horse that just plodded along at his own pace. We rode through a bit of the forest and also through the sea. Once back in Paihia we caught a ferry over to Russell and walked over to long beach where we went swimming in the warm clear sea. I loved it. We had a quick beer in Russell then caught a ferry back. We had fish and chips for a dinner and headed back to our campsite. In the evening we walked to the local pub and played some pool. The locals were nice enough and a bit drunk. There was also a flurosecent light that every time a bug flew into it would make a loud popping noise, took us awhile to realise where the noise was coming from.

The next day we were up bright and early, had a morning coffee shot and then set off upto Cape Reinga, the most northern point of NZ. On the way we did a bit of tree hugging, sand boarding at the Te Paki dunes, this was amazing fun and very tiring. Walking up the sand dunes was an effort, i could only manage 4 attempts up the largest dunes. From here we drove the remainding 20km to Cape Reinga. I loved it up here, you could see where the tasman sea meets the pacific sea, and there are waves where both sea's meet. The views where stunning here also. From here we began our long drive home, but did stop by a bay to go swimming, the water was perfect and the beach went on for miles. It took us a bout 6hrs to get home, but well worth it. I feel tired now.

Am off to see Jane this afternoon then going surfing for the rest of the week, Hopefully this will be good fun.

thanks for your messages,

H xxx