Day of driving today, from the Bay of Islands back to Auckland and round to the Coromandel Peninsula - about 400 kms. Took a while because the roads are mainly single carriageway and very twisty up through the peninsula. Lots of nice scenery - a bit like the West Country or Wales with sun. Stopped at the glow worm cave on the way which was very unusual - looked like an underground milky way system.

On the water in Bay of Islands. This was the weather earlier. It's now chucking it down which is why I'm inside typing this! And no it's not actually a pirate ship! Also seen a pod of Dolphins that are apparently residents of the bay. Probably about 10 of them around 50 metres away.

Writing this blog in our cabin, moored alongside the jetty at Opua. Have completed our first day of yacht sailing. Conditions were a bit quiet this morning but the wind got up after lunch and we were racing along this afternoon. Didn't see any dolphins but we'll keep a look out tomorrow. Have met some interesting people today and this evening at the yacht club, including a mad brazilian who has just sailed here from Fiji. Our instructor comes from Surrey an...

Headed up to the Bay of Islands today. Staying in a cabin right next to the beach - a great location. Nice walk around Paihia this afternoon on the coast walk. Only intended to go for 10 minutes but it was a beautiful day so in the end we were out for about 2 hours. We also picked up the Ford Falcon this morning. 4.0 v6 engine has some power but the car weighs 1.7 tons so there is a lot to shift.

We've been Segwaying today in Devonport (over the water from Auckland). Great fun and thoroughly recommended. They're not as easy as they look - we both got over confident and managed to fall off! Also seen the harbour (full of racing yatchs) and the sky tower (that you can bungee off if you are brave). Noticeable how clear the air is here after the rather polluted conditions in HK and China.