Apologies for the lack of posts - a combination of little internet access and being too busy - Cliff and I can't believe where the time is going - its flying by - here's what we've been up to....

Day 14

It raining again in Kaikoura and we are back at the garage to get the car parts fixed. Once we're done its off down the coast to sample the famous fresh Kaikoura crayfish at Nins Bin, then on to watch the very energetic seals (I don't think they moved at all - what a hard life!). Eventually back home for a BBQ and to start the Soprano's Series 2.

Day 15

Yesterday we received the call I had been waiting for - the opportunity on standby to swim with the dusky dolphins - unfortunately they only had one space so cliff came along as a spectator. The morning started at 8.30 with a wetsuit fitting - how attractive those things can be! It took well over an hour to find the main pod - however it was worth the wait - there were hundreds of them! They were really playful - jumping and showing off - it was a real pleasure and honour to swim with wild dolphins. We had about 5 entries into the main pod - and to be so close initially took my breath away. Something I will always remember! Cliff enjoyed it too even though he didn't get in - however we can straight home and booked another trip - this time at the end of the holiday in the Bay of Islands. We both can't wait to do it again!

Day 16

We set off for our 2 hour drive to Picton to catch the ferry to Wellington - when the car developed the same mechanical fault! We limped onto the ferry and a very bouncy crossing into Wellington! I do not like the rolling of the boat - so we ended up at the back of the boat, slap bang in the middle to try and help with the sea sickness!

When we finally find the hotel we are told that the car helpline can't help us until tomorrow at 8.30 - great! We wander around Wellington in the evening and end up in a curry house for tea - we turns out to be owned and run by a guy from Leicester. Small world!

Day 17

Heated early discussions see us setting off for the 7 hour drive to New Plymouth in the same car - we a promise to have a new one waiting for us. When we finally make it to Nancy and Hugh's Cottage by the Sea we realised it was worth the drive - and we a new hire car delivered too! The place is amazing - the views are incredible - and we decide that the following day we are going to hang out! The fleeting sight of Mount Egmont will have to suffice! BBQ for tea!

Day 18

We laid in the garden all day - lovely hot sunshine and crashing waves - how awful - a quick walk down to the empty beach and a nose around Nancy's sunken garden and avocado orchid sees us into another BBQ and a couple of bottles of wine! This is the life!

Day 19

We reluctanly leave the Cottage by the Sea and start the mamouth drive to Napier (with hindsight I think we would prefer to do less driving - however its throwing up a few interesting sights!). To save time we take a short cut recommended by the "Towie" (guy who brought the car yesterday) and end up on gravel roads! Oh well! The weather is hot hot hot! and when we finally arrive at Lake Taupo I could have thrown myself in! After a quick lunch at McDonalds (I know Sunday lunch - how crap!) we carry onto Napier and land at the Pipstay. We are greeted by a strange lady and her cat JayJay. She pushes off and we settle in - the town is full of Art Deco architecture. We finally end up in a restaurant called Pacfica and have a fab meal - and the find of the holiday - a locally grown bottle of red tempranillo wine - as we are massive Rioja fans this is very exciting.

Day 20

After lazing round all morning we join "Vince" for his wine tasting tour and happily find out we are going to the vineyard that produced the tempranillo! The afternoon warms up and we sample wine, after wine, after wine. White, rose, port and red wine - immense fun helped by the range of nationalities of the other couples with us - Oz, USA, Canadian, Dutch - the more we drank the more we laughed! In the end we bought a crate of the tempranillo to keep us going for the rest of the holiday!

After a quick visit to the stony beach at Napier we stumble into the steak house next door to the flat and sober up! T-bone all round please!

Day 21

The Pipstay owner is waiting on the doorstep for us to leave so we make a sharp exit at 10am and start the drive back up to Taupo and over to Rotorua before heading into Whakatane (which I am reliably told is pronounced fak-a-tar-e). We arrive at the Mimaha cottage to be greeted by Bev and Hilton - the house is amazing, set in its own grounds. After coffee and Christmas cake with the guests we start plannning our week in the area - and finish off with a BBQ!

Day 22

Today we are hanging out at the house - a much earned rest after the trucking about of past weeks. We both need to write our vows for the wedding which is now only a week away - Cliff is going to get his hair cut too! We're planning to got to Ohope beach tomorrow and sample the Oysters at the harbour in Whakatane tomorrow night. Then its Rotorua (or Rota-vegas the Kiwis call it) for the thermal springs and Maori culture.

Day 23

We explore Whakatane for the morning and then its off to Ohope Beach - at last on a sandy beach! However with a strong cross wind and some serious waves its not quite what I expected. After an hour or two on the beach lapping up the sun we are wearing more sand that we know what to do - its blowing straight at us - time for a bit of wave jumping, such a shame we don't have a body board it looks like great fun. Washed and dressed again its off to explore the whole of the beach (which is about 22k's long) before heading back to Whakatane for early doors dinner at the Wharf Shed on the harbour front. I finally taste local oysters which are great and cliff has the best seafood chowder yet.

Day 24

It up at 6am (oh my god) to get over to Rotorua to the Wai - O -Tapu Thermal Wonderland at doors open (8.30) - which was a blessing as the day it turning into a scorcher. After watching a couple of bars of soap disappear down the Lady Knox Geyser she dutifully explodes at 10.15am! Pretty impressive.

It's back into the car and off to Te Puia - the Maori cultural centre - we start with a traditional Maori concert including signing and the Haka, then onto a guided tour for 90 mins - by which point it is about 33%uFF70! So being in a termal area makes it even hotter! We see a kiwi, mud pools, traditional weavers and carpenters, but finally give up by mid afternoon - it's just TOO hot. We dive into the car - drive to the lake and stand in the lovely cool waters of Lake Rotorua to cool down!

A great but hot day!

Day 25

today we meet up with a friend of mine - Sammy Richardson - in Tauranga. She very kindly shows us around the area, including the amazing Mount Maunganui. We walk around the mountain, watch a wedding on the beach (getting excited about our own), have a swim in the sea, down the driving range and fish and chips for tea! A great day out and doubly special to spend it with friends.

The expected rain holds off and we have another gloriously hot one!

Day 26

Sunday morning and we just about manage to drag ourselves out of bed at 8.30 to go to the Whakatane farmers market - which is not what we expected - just a few stalls of people selling their home grown wares. Leaving empty handed we head home and spend the day lounging about - updating this blog and reading. We planning on a spa tonight at the main house and tomorrow it's back to Whakatane for waxing and haircuts - in preparation for the big day!

Its only 4 days to the wedding, we're both writing our vows today! However the bad news is it's forecasting rain for the rest of the week - so I need you all to pray for sunshine on Thursday!