Hi all, I am now heading back towards Auckland for the last two matches of the lions tour and am now in Taupo. I left Ed and Janet's yesterday after two great days relaxing in the comfort of a home again. It was a pleasent change from the hostels that I am used to staying in. I got to Waiorou around lunch time on Wednesday and Janet picked me up. Ed managed to finish work early so after being introduced to Abigail and Luke we all went to a cafe for some lunch. Abigail is 17months and luke is just 2 months. They are both lovely kids and so quite. We went for a drive around the barracks and Ed showed us where he worked. That evening I had a lovely home cooked meal and it was very funny as Abigail had her dinner and then came over to me to taste my dinner. It was obviously very good as she helped me clean the plate!!! She is so friendly and wasn't shy at all around this new stranger in her home. Wednesday night myself and Ed went out with a friend of his from the army and headed to the local bar to have a few jars. We got home around 11ish and were watching TV before I fell asleep (what's new there). The next morning I had a nice lie in before getting ready to go up the mountains to whakapapa (I hope that's spelt correct). When we got to the top it was very cold so we went to the cafe for some lunch and to warm up before heading out in the snow. Myself and Abigail built a snowman and threw some smowballs, but it was quite blusterly and Abigail got blown over once. We then drove down the mountain to stop at the Chateau. This was a beautiful hotel probably half way up the mountain. You couldn't imagine such a magnificent building half way up this mountain, but it was there. Whilst in their Abigail got chatting to a Chinesse girl who thought it was amazing how friendly she was. Thursday evening we had another lovely meal and relaxed back at Ed's place. We were not long back from the mountain when Ed came home from work. Ed and Janet had a computer that hadn't been working for a while so I said I'd have a look at it, but being the useless computer guy that I am (or maybe just out of practice) I couldn't fix it - sorry guys. Although I did think it was the CPU that was after burning out. Daren could you send one over? Cheers. We had a relaxing evening with a few beers at the house and gave O'Shagger a call in the eveing to say hello! You know who you are!!! It was good to talk to him again - hope your well? Abigail gave me a present and a card with a picture of herself and her brother luke on it for my birthday which was really nice. Thanks again for the lovely present. I am wearing it and will try to get it blessed before I leave NZ. The next morning I got up to say good bye to Ed. Well I didn't really, I woke up and said good bye to Ed before he left for work. I then got ready to go to the Maori centre on the campus, but it was closed. When we were leaving the house Abigail wanted me to carry her out to the car instead of Janet and I had to carry her around the war museum also - I think I made a new friend! We didn't have much time at the war museum as my bus was collecting me at 12:00, but it was still very interesting. I had a great time at Ed and Janet's and their kids are both lovely. luke is very quite for a baby of only two months and Abigail isn't a bit jealous of the new arrival. If he cried at all when waking up Abigail would be off down to his room to see if he's ok! Thanks again guys for having me to stay and to Janet for taking me around Waiorou and the surrounding areas to show me the sights. I had a wonderful time and it was great to have some home cooking and be in a home again. And "no" for those of you in the northern hemisphere I am not home sick I'm just saying it was a nice change. You must let me return the hospitality if you are ever in England or Ireland. I supose that might be for Colin's wedding if he gets round to setting a date? Take care and keep in tocuh. Michael