Regarding Jane's last entry in my defence the lure on the fishing rod was twisted and the fish weren't hungry!!! We're now in Taupo, extreme activity capital of the North Island. It has rained solidly all night and all day so far so most things are off!!! There is a finish post for some endurance running event in the park opposite, the clock is still ticking at 27 hours. Since the last entry we have travelled down from the Bay of Islands. We stopped off at the Waitomo Caves on the way. Anyone that has been watching Planet Earth may have seen the glow worms there. We got first hand experience by boat which was surreal but absolutely fantastic. However the Kiwis overdid the caves next door as a big thing... Wookey Hole anyday for me. We then drove via Rotorua to see the hot springs and geyser (not the east London sort). The whole place stinks of sulphur and bad gas. I can now imagine how Jane must feel travelling on a long journey in a car with me. We are now in Taupo where we had hoped to do a day trek across the Tongariro national park but the weather has put paid to that. We've been for a dip in the hot springs to refresh. It's Wellington next and then wine tasting is the first stop on the South Island... woohoo!!!