We have arrived in Auckland and we decided we will stay in the city for the first night then go and Stay with our Peter. so we booked into quite a nice hostel in the city centre, it was abit of a nightmare to find a parking space but we finally did, we left the car for about half an hour to check into our room, the parking after 6 is meant to be free so we didnt worry when we left the car.

When we went back i thought we must be in the wrong street as there was a big burger van where the car was parked!! first thing i thought was that it had been stolen and all our bags were in the boot!! i phioned the police and was told it had been towed i couldnt believe it. I was glad that it hadnt been stolen but there was no reason why my car should of been taken away. We finally found out where it had been taken and went to pick it up. the reason it was taken away was because we had oparked in the space of a council vehicle (the burger van!) there were no signs though but we still had to pay the fine so already this is starting to be an expensive night!

the next day we went around the shops then headed off to Orewa (just outside Auckland) where my cousin Peter lives. in the City its really hard to get onto thwe motorway as there is no signs so we had to phone Peter to come and rescue us.

When we got to his house i was really impressed he has definatly landed on his feet, he lives in a lovely town near the sea, he has got a great view of the south pacific from his house, His fiancee Jen is so lovely and mad us feel so welcome straight away but the best thing of all is he hasconverted his double garage into a games room/ pub!!!! ive always wanted something like this in my house when i get one. Everytime pete mentioned him and jen were having a drink down the dog and duck (thats what they have called it! they have got drink mats and a pub sign made up with dog and duck on and everything!!!!) i thought he had a local, well you cant get a better local then that can ya!

When we got there we had some booze and some presents for them both, they showed to our room, its lovely and the house is decorated really nice all the way through.

The first night we had a few drinks down the Dog and Duck, a darts compition and a air hockey comp too what a night!! im really glad Jen and Kris get on really well so me and pete leave them watching corrie and we go down stairs for a few games of pro evo.

Had a really good bbq today but it was more like an english one then a kiwi as i had to hold an umbrella over peter whilst he cooked!!

 Peter is a really good cook and he done us an amazing roast dinner we also had some christmas crackers so me and kris had abit of a family christmas after all! (dont worry mum your roast is still better)

we had a few days here just chilling out and having a laugh, then we went up to the Bay of islands and the ninety mile beach.

When we came back we had another party and me and Peter have watched Liverpool play twice over here its been really good watching it with him. i wish i was over here for the derby!

We have helped sort the house out for the engagement party it was a relly good day and i got to meet Peter's future inlaws (dont think its been rest rest rest for me though peter has put me to work a few times!!)

One night we went to a local Japanease restarant ive never had sushi but it was really nice and i used chopsticks like a pro.

we have been playing loads of games over here which is abit of a laugh but always ends in an arguement.

For their engagement we got them a plant what they wanted, a garden ornament, A bottle of Bollinger Champagne (oh yeah we splashed out on them) and a dvd game called scene it which peter absolutly loved and kicked my arse at! the scourse b******!

We took peter and jen into town the other night for a meal in a bar called Degree, Its called stonegrill and you order your food steak, chicken whatever and it comes out on a red hot stone and you have to cook it on your table it tastes bloody lovely!

Peter and Jen have been really great hosts and so cool and generous when we have got a place in Oz we are going to return the favor. Im really going to miss them both and the Dog and Duck!