Hi All,

I hope you all liked the photo's, wasn't my assistant good, on time as well!!!

I should really note things down as I go because I keep forgetting what day of the week it is but here goes for the blog of the week:

Wednesday 19th March

We head to Pahia in the Bay of Islands for 3 days where we based ourselves to do some trips. Pahia is very pretty bay town, It took us 3 hrs to drive so by the time we got there on the first day we booked our trips and had a little wonder around town before running up another mountain (8k) for some exercise.

Our Bay Adenture double room was really nice and facilities were good too so we were happy. A lot of things were free, including the tennis courts so C and I gave it a go on the big court after our run. C a much more accurate server than me.

Thursday 20th March

We started our drive north to Cape Reigna which was going to take a few hours, We reached 90 mile beach, not the most prettiest but 4WD vehicles can use it to go up the hard sand to Cape Reigna. We didn't realise the motorway ended and an unsealed 21K road was the only way to the Cape so we had to turn back. Not to worry though we had spotted a nice beach called Coopers beach in the Doubtless bay.

The weather was slightly overcast but we enjoyed ourselves making some shell art before I decided to build the beach shelter you see above in the picture. Dad I must make you proud with my DIY skills now, built my own house from scratch, hee hee!!!

After spending the day there we headed back home.

Friday 21st March

We had a sailing trip booked to take us out to the bay of Islands, it was a full day of lots of fun. We headed out around 10 on a private sail boat with 6 other people (A really nice Irish couple, 2 canadian girls and a young English lad. The boat was called "She's a Lady" so I kept singing with a Tom Jones vioce.

We sunbathed on the way out as the weather was fantastic, Charlotte's first job was to help with the ropes to put up the sail. I was able to keep out of any tasks.

We headed for a little Island which had a lovely beach and hill views. C and I walked the 20min hill, I was in bare foot which made it a little hard with the jaggy nettles, but the views were good. We snorkled and saw some marine life and I kicked a ball around for a bit getting some practise in before I get home. In the bay there was a huge stingray in the water which was cool to see but makes you nervous.

We had lunch on the beach and then headed home. At night we got some fish and chips and sat on the grassy area on the beach over looking the bay, fantastic way to end it.

Saturday 22rd March

Today we have arrived back in Auckland after a 3hr drive, We took our tent to our previous hostel so we could give it to someone who needed it, Within seconds a guy asked me and was pleased to be able to have it.

We handed in our little Bertie Car back to there owners, feel funny with no car now and headed into town. We have managed to buy some easter eggs last minute and I have shaved all my hair again in preparation for Fiji and the hot weather.

Tomorrow we have a Canyon adventure trip booked, we will absail, rock climb, do some caving and general hiking. We will let you know how we get on.

New Zealand has been amazing and the time here has flown by, never mind at least we have our memories.

Some good news, our tennant has asked to extend her stay for a month, so that helps us a lot when we get home.

bye for now

Iain and Charlotte