A short drive back to Wellington and we were in familiar territory - same motel, same room, same car park space - but we did head to a different coffee shop in Cuba Street before returning to Te Papa to visit another few floors and exhibitions.It was then back to Cuba Street to another familiar location - Rasa, a little Malaysian bistro - for another excellent meal.Now it was time to do something different, so we set off for the Embassy Theatre, an old style comfortable cinema, which is renowned for premiering the Lord of the Rings movies that had been filmed in New Zealand.Tonight was showing Shine a Light, a Martin Scorcese film of a Rolling Stones concert.Excellent stuff and nearly like a live concert, but no dancing in the aisles!On Thursday we split up when M went off to the Chilian Embassy to suss out entry/visa issues and E went searching for maps and guide books for Central and South America (of course he couldn't resist also delving into the many record shops in and around Cuba Street).M also spent some time looking round Wellington Cathedral and a couple of interesting exhibitions in the National Library.On Friday we'd be going to stay with Bev and Jeff in the evening so that gave us an opportunity during the day, the weather being fine, to see some other parts of the city.Mount Victoria is a popular look out spot about 600 feet high and gives great views over the city, the harbour and the surrounds.The wind turbine which sits on a much higher hill (above Patricia's house) gives even better 360° views, even as far as the mountains of the South Island.In between those viewpoints we'd also explored and enjoyed more of the harbour and coastline as far as Red Rocks.Being expert navigators we found our way to Bev's and Jeff's who live in a very attractive suburb called Ngaio.It was great to see them again, especially in theirlovely new house which they'd moved into three weeks ago.But by God was it windy, and with them being set high in the hills above Wellington we now understood why it is called the Windy City (4th windiest in the world apparently).We were treated to Jeff's homemade cottage pie, not one dish but two, some excellent beer and wine, fine conversation then to a warm comfortable bed.Next morning (Saturday) dawned fine and sunny although the wind was still blowing strongly.We'd agreed to see Patricia again, but in order to avoid another 'cup of tea' situation we just popped in unannounced.Luckily she was in at her old house at Farnham Street and we were delighted to meet some of her family who were down with a friend helping to clear it out - Phil's brother John, his wife Sonia and son John Patrick.It was a fortuitous visit because E was able to help John manhandle an old washing machine into the skip.As we left Patricia predicted a change in the weather from a North Westerly to a Southerly bringing colder weather and rain in the evening.We hoped she was wrong.It was then back to Bev's and Jeff's to prepare for the rugby - All Blacks v Ireland.With clouds coming in and the wind still going strong there was much debate among the four of us as to how many layers were needed - for a Kiwi, Jeff seemed to end up with several slightly green layers! Once we were all suitably wrapped up we were off into town to meet up with some of Bev and Jeff's friends for a pre-match drink and bite to eat in The Thistle - Mary and Gavin, originally from Dublin and Dave.Being strangers in a strange land we didn't expect to meet anyone we knew so were really surprised and pleased when who should walk in the door but Gina and Keith from the hostel in Paraparaumu.We knew they'd be at the match but really didn't expect to bump into them.After a very convivial couple of hours we headed over the road to the stadium (affectionately known as The Caketin), and just as we got to the concourse the heavens opened.Patricia's prediction was so right!As our seats were in the uncovered area (though near the front so a really great view of the match) we'd come prepared with our waterproof jackets and overtrousers.Even so, the rain was so heavy we were wringing wet and absolutely perishing by the end of the match. We were rooting for a good game and there were some good moments.The All Blacks deserved their win (21 - 11) although Ireland put up a good show.Bev and Jeff had sensibly got tickets for seats in the covered area so weren't quite as cold and wet as us.But despite our discomfort we headed back to The Thistle where we met up with a few more of B & J's friends and acquaintances (a really nice bunch of folk) for a few more jars.It was about midnight when we got home and Bev rustled up a tasty midnight feast before we fell into bed at about 2am.

Typically, the next morning was beautifully bright and sunny and after a quick breakfast we said our goodbyes to B & J (hoping to meet up with them later in Auckland or Napier) and set off on the road for Wanganui.Driving north, with the weather so fine we decided a change of plan was in order. We needed some high country so turned off the road at Bulls and headed for Lake Taupo.

E & M xxx