We've just reached Lake Taupo after being to Hell and back! Yes we started our trip round the geothermal areas and Rotarua by visiting a place called Hell's Gate. Apparently Bernard Shaw visited it and decided that was a good name, as many of his critics said that was where he would end up anyway. It was our first experience of all the bubbling pools and sulphur smells around here. It was only when we drove on to Rotarua, proper we were met by the smell and steam...

We were sorry to leave Australia on Sunday especially after enjoying the Botanical gardens on Saturday in the sun shine. We had a lazy lunch and then went out to the Circular Quay to see the new film Australia. It is a heavily romanticised account a la Hollywood but the pictures are great and we both enjoyed it.Sunday was a frustrating day at Sydney airport with a delayed plane and lots of hanging about. By the time we reached Auckland and picked up the car it wa...