Monday 1st March - Wednesday 9th March

Looking like rain this morning

Sam had to collect his hearing aid which we left for repair before we went to South Island so we walked through the reserve to the plaza. A really nice walk through grassland, shrubs and waterways. Sam was supposed to play golf this afternoon with Graham, my cousin but as it started throwing it down they put it off to another day. When Mike got home with the kids, we headed off to Rain Bar where we were meeting Maureen and Graham for a meal. The rain bar has a great policy, if it's raining cocktails are half price!!! So I had to indulge. Couldn't let that offer get away. It was good to catch up with Graham, Maureen and Kieran again as we haven't seen them since our last visit 3 years ago.

Helped Mike blow up balloons and put decorations up for Gills birthday tomorrow.

Tuesday 1st March
Happy birthday to Gill.

Not as lucky as us, Gill had to go to work today. Boo hoo for some.

Weather not great today so we had a bit of a mooch around the shopping areas and had some lunch on the strand.

Arriving home from work, Gill walked through the door clutching a huge squash (looks like a marrow) wrapped with a nice bow! One of the parents grew it in her garden and brought it for her present. She has won prizes for her squash!! They have a real community thing going in Gills kindergarten. People make chutneys, bring fruit in from the garden and some make balms from plants. After present opening we had Indian takeaway for tea then watched a movie before bed.

Wednesday 2nd March
Happy birthday Mike!

A glorious day today
Sam took Mike and the kids to school so we could have the car for the day.

We walked around the base track at the Mount then along to pilot bay and had fish and chips at the wharf. Beautiful views along the track with crashing waves on one side then when you get round to the other side, it's really flat and calm. Ideal place as its not far from Mike's house and you can surf or paddle as the fancy takes you.

We were considering going out for a meal for Mike's birthday but after present opening when he got home from work and playing with his new bottle cutter, we decided to knock something together instead. Mike and Gill are looking forward to doing the Tongariro Crossing in April which Gill has organised for his birthday present.

Thursday 3rd March

Sam played golf with Graham today so Mike had the car. I went for a walk down to the beach which is just 10 minutes away. Everything here is so handy. Its great. Unfortunately I realised I hadn't put my suncream on properly so didn't linger too long. Just as well as I did manage to burn my neck!!

Spag boll with the kids for tea as Mike and Gill do the 5-2 diet (2 days a week, no tea). They've been doing it for almost 2 years and say it's easy and it works.

Friday 4th March

We had the car today so went to Welcome bay where there's a waterfall walk close by. It's only a short walk but very steep with lots, and lots of steps. Sam put his tracker on and when we finished I couldn't believe it said we'd only walked 0.7 of a mile!!! Must be a mistake! After that we walked the reserves and along the bay managing to end up with a decent 6 miles in all stopping for sushi for lunch

Pizza and movie night - Friday tradition

Saturday 5th March
Mike and Gill headed off for their overnight stay in Hamilton. Gills birthday present from Mike. They like to go there now and again as its got a lively night life. Louis and Daisy both had water polo practice so after that we went to the Gypsy Extravaganza just down the road. I think Louis almost broke his ankle in the stilts but we had fun trying out the hula-hoops and juggling sticks. Then we had a BBQ at pilot bay watching the sunset. All in all a great day

Rotorua tomorrow

Sunday 6th March

Started a bit cloudy but picked up to be a beautiful day

Finally ready to leave just before 11. Went to Agroventures first for where Louis and Daisy did freefall extreem, which is like flying with an aeroplane engine underneath you blowing you up to keep you in the air. Like auekix at home but not so big. Daisy's long hair was like a rat's nest when she came off!! She is a bit of a dare devil and when she said she wanted to go on the swoop I was horrified! Basically you get strapped in a sack. They hook you onto a crane and take you to a height of 40 metres (141ft) then let you go!! You swing down, tip upside down then gradually swing to a halt! Terrifying - even just to look at! She assured me she would be allowed to go on it by herself but in the end I decided to ring Mike to check. While I was waiting to speak to him, she said she'd go on something else instead. Phew! Just as well as it turned out as Mike said she wouldn't have been allowed. Louis and Daisy both went on the Shweeb - The only one in the World!! You, lie down and pedal as fast as you can! This is one of the world's most efficient human-powered machines - suspended aerodynamic racing pods! You can race at up to 50kph (30mph) against the clock, your friends or foes in a 600m race. The bullet-shaped recumbent ( lie back) pods run under two inverse tracks that weave 200m long and ride 5m high. It's really hard work and some people were falling over when they got off because their legs had gone.

We went on the Agrojet which was fun.
It's a jet boat ride - 100kph (62 mph) in the blink of an eye and 3G's of force. It's NZ's fastest jet boat and the world's first ever jet-sprint. We were driven over a sprint course, weaving around islands and finishing with a full 360 degree spin

Skyline next. Up in the chairlift and down on the luge. I took the scenic route (nice way of saying slow one) with Daisy, and Sam and Louis raced down the advanced track. Louis won. Daisy and Louis had another few runs then time to head back. Mike and Gill were due home about the same time so we met at home then a lovely meal in the Chinese.

Monday 7th March

We had the car today so went to McClaren Falls Park. Really nice here with trails, and walks around the lake. You can camp here too, right by the lake but we didn't. 10$ per person - no facilities, just a toilet. There was a few sprinkles of rain here and there as we walked around so we sheltered under a tree for our picnic lunch.

When we got home it was boiling and when Mike came in he said it's been like that all day!! Their area is protected by the Kaimai's so they usually get the best of the weather.

Auckland tomorrow for Sea life then Rainbows End Theme Park on Wednesday

Tuesday 8th March
A lovely morning

Kids up and ready with bags packed early this morning but it was about 9.30 by the time we had filled up with petrol and sorted the satnav. Should be at Auckland for 12.30.

Went to Kelly Tarleton's Sea Life and it was really good. Even better that we collected the voucher off Kellogg's packs and adults went in free!! We watched these huge stingrays being fed. The girl climbed in the tank with them and they almost curled around her to get their food. Huge! And we saw the shark feeding and the king penguins too. The penguins were really funny as the keepers were in the process of putting mirror foil on the glass so they couldn't see the people on the other side. Apparently, being able to see the crowd has changed their behaviour. They were very inquisitive to see their numbers doubled and reminded me of a budgie in a cage performing to its mirror.

We booked into Grange Motor Lodge for the night as it was only 20 mins drive to rainbows end for tomorrow and it also had 2 bedrooms one with single beds so it was ideal. We went to see where there was for our evening meal but it was mostly takeaways so we got an Indian which was nice but VERY hot! Fitted in well as the room had a full kitchen and all the dishes you could want.

After tea we played pop up pirate, monopoly and Looping Louis. All in all had a great day.

Rainbows end tomorrow

Wednesday 9th March
Happy Birthday Ian. Hope it's nice and sunny there too!!

We had breakfast then got to rainbows end just after 10.30. Now I'm not a theme park person. I'm a real woos when it comes to rides but they had some that we enjoyed. The bumper cars, scorpion race cars, log flume and bumper boats. The kids also did the high, fast, sick making rides and because we went mid week there were no queues so they could go on things more than once.

Left around 4.30 and got back in time for bed. Surprised myself enjoying the theme park so much and spending time with the kids was great too

Battered down with rain tonight