Hello, we have finally got round to updating the postcards, so here goes. Stayed in Auckland with Andrew for about a week, on the condition we do a bit of baby sitting. After browsing around the hostels we bought a camper for our NZ trip, thus hoping to save money by selling when we leave and having a great time driving around the islands. Unfortunately my mechanical knowledge is not brilliant, so I don't really know what im looking for. Anyway, fingers crossed we hand over the cash to a hippy called 'Baby G', I know this sounds completely mad but we get the Toyota Town Ace looked at by a 'mechanic' before we leave. The town ace has no heating, the petrol gage doesn't work so got to keep a record of ks and there's a slight dead animal aroma about it. Apart from that it's got a brilliant stove with hot plate and a moon roof. (electronic). Spend a couple of days sorting out a bed and kitting it out, also visit Kelly Tarltons undersea world, the guy you invented the walk through aquarium, Nicky joins the boys in dressing up as sea creatures. Head to Piha beach (30 people die a year due to rips), great fish and chips on Easter Sunday and we check out waterfall. Have bbq in the evening and Nicky attends easter vigil where its too hot to stand by the fire. Go fishing out on Nevs boat and take my new fishing rod an accessory of the town ace, nice evening, too my surprise I catch two fish. Result. Ross and Kate arrive from Gloucester on the March 29th, so we pick them up from the airport and head straight off south to start a whistle stop tour of the North Island in 10 days. The girls seem happy enough to sit on the make shift bed in the back and we also got a tent with the van for extra beds. Its good too see some familiar (pale) faces as well as receiving some clothes from home and obvious chocolate supllies, even too our surprise a Easter egg. Head towards Waitomo, on route there's a lot of rolling countryside and not a lot else, very windy roads. (Using the word 'Windy' will always be referred to as 'snake like' and not a 'gust of' for future reference, I think it may be used a lot). Arrive Waitomo pouring down, guys don't know what they ve got themselves into. To avoid jet lag we sign up for black water rafting, which involves climbing into caves and floating down the caves in a rubber ring, with the occasional rock/waterfall jump. Good fun and can see loads of glow worms with torches off. End up sleeping in a scouts hut, and we re a little dishonest about the honesty box when leaving. The tour continues to the central plateau and Taumarunui national park.