Hello again,

Hope all is well at home. We've been trying to load photos for you people to see but there's a problem with the computer so no can do :-(

We've made it to the north island! In Kaikoura we had a whale of a time watching sperm whales from a tiny plane. The take off and landing were fine - it was the banking in the air that was stomach-churning! We loved it though. Headed up to Nelson, enjoyed ourselves driving around then headed back to Picton via the very pretty Queen Charlotte Sound drive. Had a hot day in Picton before getting the very expensive 5am (yes people, 5am) ferry to Wellingto. We got in at 9am and drove to the city. Enjoyed the cable car in the botanic gardens and walking the main city before relaxing at a hostel. Went to the free museum and wandered the streets before having a couple of drinks. Then it was an early night!

Drove up the coast, stopping to visit the Weta Caves (production company behind LOTR etc), being geeks looking at film memorabilia. Stopped at Foxten Beach for the night, walked for AGES to get to the sea, found some incredible shells along with dead puffer fish and animal bones...carried on to Mount Taranaki, drove all the way around it on the coastal drive, stopping in New Plymouth. There we spent a gorgeous evening in the park - a festival of lights and music which was beautiful. Then we headed here, Lake Taupo, with a long hot drive past Mount Doom. Very pretty area, we've relaxed today because campervan decided to have a dodgy radiator (cue trips to mechanics and stress). All being well, we'll head to hot springs of Rotorua tomorrow.

Thanks for the messages, glad all going well. Lots of love, Jo and Roy XxX