How time flies! It is now one week since we arrived in Auckland and, although the weather has been wetter than we've generally experienced we've also had lots of sunny spells and it's not too bad at all considering it's winter. Our second Sunday saw us head off to the theatre for some 'high-brow' entertainment - Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the Civic Theatre, an outrageously camp musical about the adventures of three drag queens who travel from Sydney to do a show in Alice. It was a splendid production with magnificent over-the-top costumes and great music - great fun and hugely enjoyable. The theatre itself was something to behold. The foyer and huge auditorium were luxuriously decked out on an Indian theme and were like something out of the British Raj - all gold leaf, red carpets and elephants. It would have been worth going just to see the theatre itself. The Kiwis seem to be good at creating interesting public buildings - the old cinema in Hokitika, the Napier Theatre and the Embassy Theatre in Wellington(all mainly Art Deco), which contrast nicely with the extremely modern design of Te Papa, the National Museum in Wellington.M had two sessions at the gym: one an introductory dance thing and another requiring an early morning rise for a session on the various machines with a trainer. She's also walking to and from the gym as it's so handy. She also had her first Spanish lesson at the Hispanic Club in the city centre. Meanwhile E had been scouring the city for second had car dealers to sound out the chances of getting the car sold - and it was not good news at all. Due to the hike in petrol prices people were no longer buying large engine cars (ours is a three litre). Only a couple of dealers said they might be interested and would only give us a pittance for it. Shame really because it's a good car, but we'll just have to take what we can get for it and put it down to experience. Another bit of bad news was that the front tyres were just about down to the bone so we've had to cough up for a couple of new ones. Ah well, that's the traveller's life for you! Wednesday night saw as at the theatre again for a serious play. Finding Murdoch is the story of how Keith Murdoch, an All Black on the 1972 UK tour, was sent home to NZ in shame and went missing. It revolved around what happened on the rugby tour at the infamous first test in Cardiff and how a TV reporter eventually tracked him in Australia 18 years later. It was very well performed and had a very relevant context for us.Since we've arrived in Auckland we haven't really ventured very far, apart from our run out with Jeremy. So with thunderous showers forecast we headed off on the ferry for the short ride across the harbour to Devonport, which is one of the most sought after and expensive suburbs with lovely colonial style houses, fine beaches and a slower pace of life than Parnell. With the weather staying sunny and warm we walked to North Head and climbed this extinct volcano which offers wonderful views all around the harbour and back towards the city. It was glorious. By the time we'd wandered around the area and had coffee the skies had darkened, the thunder clouds and rain were upon us and the harbour was frothing as we sailed back to the city. Thi How time flies! It is now one week since we arrived in Auckland and, although the weather has been wetter than we've generally experienced we've also had lots of sunny spells and it's not too bad at all considering it's winter. Our second Sunday saw us head off to the theatre for some 'high-brow' entertainment - Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the Civic Theatre, an outrageously camp musical about the adventures of three drag queens who travel from Sydney to do a show in Alice. It was a splendid production with magnificent over-the-top costumes and great music - great fun and hugely enjoyable. The theatre itself was something to behold. The foyer and huge auditorium were luxuriously decked out on an Indian theme and were like something out of the British Raj - all gold leaf, red carpets and elephants. It would have been worth going just to see the theatre itself. The Kiwis seem to be good at creating interesting public buildings - the old cinema in Hokitika, the Napier Theatre and the Embassy Theatre in Wellington(all mainly Art Deco), which contrast nicely with the extremely modern design of Te Papa, the National Museum in Wellington.M had two sessions at the gym: one an introductory dance thing and another requiring an early morning rise for a session on the various machines with a trainer. She's also walking to and from the gym as it's so handy. She also had her first Spanish lesson at the Hispanic Club in the city centre. Meanwhile E had been scouring the city for second had car dealers to sound out the chances of getting the car sold - and it was not good news at all. Due to the hike in petrol prices people were no longer buying large engine cars (ours is a three litre). Only a couple of dealers said they might be interested and would only give us a pittance for it. Shame really because it's a good car, but we'll just have to take what we can get for it and put it down to experience. Another bit of bad news was that the front tyres were just about down to the bone so we've had to cough up for a couple of new ones. Ah well, that's the traveller's life for you! Wednesday night saw as at the theatre again for a serious play. Finding Murdoch is the story of how Keith Murdoch, an All Black on the 1972 UK tour, was sent home to NZ in shame and went missing. It revolved around what happened on the rugby tour at the infamous first test in Cardiff and how a TV reporter eventually tracked him in Australia 18 years later. It was very well performed and had a very relevant context for us.Since we've arrived in Auckland we haven't really ventured very far, apart from our run out with Jeremy. So with thunderous showers forecast we headed off on the ferry for the short ride across the harbour to Devonport, which is one of the most sought after and expensive suburbs with lovely colonial style houses, fine beaches and a slower pace of life than Parnell. With the weather staying sunny and warm we walked to North Head and climbed this extinct volcano which offers wonderful views all around the harbour and back towards the city. It was glorious. By the time we'd wandered around the area and had coffee the skies had darkened, the thunder clouds and rain were upon us and the harbour was frothing as we sailed back to the city. This week we also heard from Australian friends that we'll be meeting them over the next few weeks. When we returned to the motel Judy phoned to confirm she & Pat would be with us next week. Earlier it was good to hear from John and Deb that we'd see them at end July. It'll be great to see them all again. s week we also heard from Australian friends that we'll be meeting them over the next few weeks. When we returned to the motel Judy phoned to confirm she & Pat would be with us next week. Earlier it was good to hear from John and Deb that we'd see them at end July. It'll be great to see them all again.