Hi everyone!

Wow what a day we've just had. Last night we found this amazing camping area after about 10kms of dirt track and it was free!!

Woke up to an amazing view of Matai bay over the sea and beach with hardly any other people about. THen we had the most fun ever for 2 dollars as we got a kite a few days ago and had its maiden adventure this morning on the beach. boy did she fly...... It run away from us twice, so imagine us two running down the beach after it... it was soo good :)

Then we have jsut spent the last 2 hrs changing a flat tire on our Suzuki jeep... we really are proper campers!!! It had a huge nail in it and we managed to whinch the car up and take the flat one off, then we had to call in help.... some real friendly kiwi folks on the next camp space to us. so that was good fun.....

In case you are confused, we have rented this wicked suzuki jeep with a tent thing on top, that we wind up. its brilliant...

Its so cool to be able to do our own thing and go off this random roads and up these pebble tracks (don't tell the rental company).We have both been driving so far which has been cool. We have been caving, saw loads loads of glowworms, where we got knee deep in water which had mini eels in, we went to a little choccie factory where we got some nice treats for ourselves, we have been to Waitangi Treaty grounds, the historical begginning of NZ and not forgetting SHEEPWORLD!!! its a funky place where yuo see sheep and stuff and they have shearing shows, we are going back in a few days!!

Tomorrow, we are off to the most Northern Tip of NZ - Cape Reinga. We are going on a tour that includes a trip along 90 mile beach (actually 90km) in a coach and that we are doing sand surfing down huge dunes, thats gonna be fun...

So thats its for now, we're cooking some marinated beef and garlic things tonight with a potato salad on our camp stove, which is really good. not forgetting the remaining chocolates and beers to compliment.

Hope everyone is good back home, 3 months left (its gone so quick so far)

Take care, love ruth & adam

xxx