Greetings to anyone still reading (mum?)

So after our hobbit inspired walk, we pushed on north past Auckland to some more great beach camping and the 'Bay of Islands' where we took to the water on an overnight boat trip.

As we left the harbour fishing lines were cast. This is the first time any of us had fished and we were all full of confidence and bravado as we cast off. An hour or so later it was clear that Pete's bait was all wrong and he'd been stood in the wrong place and the rod wasn't set up right and many other excuses. Both Iain and Pete had failed dismally to catch anything whereas Polly and Katie - in a display of feminism that Germaine Greer would have been proud of - both landed fish.

After a barbecue meal we had a start gazing lesson, under a wonderfully bright sky. It was so clear you could even see the planets (but no not Uranus). It was then time for a midnight swim, before a couple of bottles before bed. Hic.

The next day we snorkelled in the bays and walked across an Island then a quick kayak before heading for shore. On the way back I think Katie and Iain realised their trip was nearly over and after a final meal and a final day on the beach it was time for them and their van (Optimus) to head for the airport. Sob.

Having friends with us for three weeks was fantastic. It made us lift our game a bit to squeeze as much as possible into the holiday, and it was brilliant to have people to share the adventure with. Plus their van had a massive fridge that kept our wine cold, now we have to squeeze it into our pathetic little cool box (wine or milk, wine or milk it's a dilemma?). Anyway their leaving also bought it home that it's only 2.5 months until we are back. Wow where has the time gone? Next stop South America.

But before that…there was just time to squeeze in another couple of dives. The Poor Knights Islands, off the coast of the North Island are reputedly one of the best dive sites in the world and from what we saw of them, I would have to concur. What wasn't mentioned though were the horrific sea conditions just to get out there. New Zealand gets a load of wind and the waves were immense. Half the boat was spewing clearly wondering what it was they were doing and Pete lost a succession of man points by being sick a number of times. However once we hit the shelter of the islands it calmed down and we were able wipe the vomit from our chin and get diving.

The underwater world was completely different to that we had back in Cairns. For a start it was colder - a lot colder. So we were kitted out in two piece 7millimetre wetsuits (warm ones) which meant we were slightly bulkier and floatier than last time. We were however quietly impressed with all that we had remembered, as we had been scared that how to use all the gear would have been forgotten as soon as we left Australia! We saw a load of fish, some great eels, sea slugs and a massive starfish. The best bit though was swimming through all the kelp and seaweed. It was like swimming through a jungle, pretty scary stuff.

Talking of scary stuff - next stop Chile - eeek