Hi All,

Well we survived the bungy and this week we move onto some more death defying stunts but back to Picton.

Friday 7th March

Last nights meal in the famous Green Mussel cafe was superb, We had to drive an hour along the windy scenic route of Queen Charlotte pass before we arrived at Havelock. Cheap as chips it was.

the views back from the cafe were really good too as we caught some of the sunset before retiring to our $40 cabin in the marine bay of Picton. Really nice and cheap.

The next day we ventured back up the Queen Charlotte pass for some scenic day views and then headed onto the ferry to cross to the North Island.

We drove straight through Wellington to a bay called Plimerton where our backpackers called Moana Lodge, very nice for couples or people not wanting anything to lively. We were right on the beach front.

Saturday 8th March

We headed into Wellington and walked around town to get a feel also to find a Starbucks as we hadn't had one in ages. We entered into the Te papa museum which was free and very interesting especially regarding earthquakes and volcanoes in NZ'd.

After lunch at the beach of Oriental Bay we headed in the car up to Mt Victoria look out over the city.

At night we headed to the local Ten-pin bowling for a few games, off course i know you are wondering who won, but lets just say the best man won both games and he broke 100 both times. Charlotte was not that far behind by 11 points each time breaking 100 once.

Sunday 9th March

Well it was farewell to Wellington and hello to Napier. This was a 4 hr drive so we stopped of at North Palmerston for a Starbucks before going to our backpackers called Wallies. We got upgraded from a Standard double to one with an En-suite!!!

We headed to the beach from and had lunch in the gardens before heading to the pebble beach to sunbathe for a while, first time we have had a chance to for months.

We got some fish and chips for 3 pound and looked out at sea to the east while the sunset was to the west. lots of pastel colours emerged, really beautiful.

Napier was flattened by and earthquake and grew due to land coming up from the the sea bed!!! Napier is now the Art Deco capital of NZ, so we took some pics as Napier feels like Miami or even an English beach resort.

We wish we had more time in both Wellington and Napier!

Monday 10th March

We left Napier at 8 this morning as we had a Horse riding session for 2hrs through the mountains and rivers through a company called Mountain Valley based between Napier and Taupo.

We were really nervous standing thinking about getting on a horse, first Charlotte was introduced to Big Mac!! Ironic!! and she saddled up and then I got a horse called Alico who was a bit Lazy I was told!!

We trotted through valleys, mountains and along streams, Alico who must have been enjoying the time with me started to have a faster trott and the owners said he must be remembering his younger days. I had to give him a good heel sometimes to get him to move though! Charlottes Big Mac was up front most of the time where I was at the back!!!!

Soon Alico made his way up the pecking order as Charlottes 22 year old horse tired out and fell in behind me. We reached a small stream and some of the horses lept over it. Alico just went through it hard as nails or because he was a little older so couldn't be bothered.

Charlottes horse initially decided to walk through and then gave an almighty leap which threw Charlotte of and she tumbled sideways which was a bit of a scare!!! She was more frightened that the horse would land on her and then she ran so fast chasing the horse and she didn't want it to run away. No harm done and Charlotte is fine.

We had just said Charlotte's fear of animals and how brave she was doing this and then jinks off she comes.

Charlotte was not the only one to come of the horse as another fella when coming of fell on his bum, I was the only rookie still standing with no falls to his name, maybe next time!!!!!!!!!!!!1

We then have headed to Taupo where we will update you in a few days of our activities, Start praying as we jump from 15,000 ft tomorrow tandem from a plane, many many more adventures in Taupo as well.

Speak soon

Iain and Charlotte (The flying Scotman and Scotwoman)

(Johnny was a parachuter in the RAF, he jumped from 15,000 ft and forgot to pull the cord, he jumped from 15,000 ft and forgot to pull the cord, He ain't gonna jump no more!!!)