Last full day in NZ! Spent most of it preparing to leave - sorting out our gear, throwing things away, packing, etc. Gave all our unwanted tourist info to Barry & Cheryl, & binned everything that we didn't want, need, or couldn't fit into our packs. D took a box full of stuff to the post office, to send back to the UK, & was quoted $170 (£85) to send a parcel, the contents of which was not worth half that value! Decided not to spend the money, so e...

Leisurely morning, as check out was not until 10.30am! After breakfast, D&L packed, while the kids built a huge marble run, which eventually noisily collapsed, all over the breakfast bar & floor! Took about an hour to drive back to Auckland, with L testing the rest of us on our Spanish as we drove, & we were soon back in Epson. No one at home, at Andy & Gwyn's house, so we went to One tree Hill Domain, & the kids played in the park for an...

Brighter day - decided to stay, as the place was relaxed, & we didn't want to head back to the city, quite yet! Spent more time chatting to Becky, & really quizzed her on how she went about setting up her business. Later in the morning, took a short drive to where Weathertop was filmed (just beautiful!) & then to the beach for the kids to play in the (black) sand for a while. Back to the hostel to chill, watch DVDs & read - D managed to ca...

Up & breakfasted in good time, as the kids had to be ready for "work" by 8.30! They disappeared off round the farm, while D&L packed, & later returned with 2 freshly laid eggs, & stories of feeding lambs, hens & pigs, visiting a very pregnant cow, & seeing the horses (again!). We debated staying, but there is little to do on the area, & we have to start to think about getting back to Auckland. The first part of the drive followed an un...

Woke just after 7am, immediately got up & dressed, so that we could go straight back to the beach, to find out what had happened overnight. The whale was now lying on its side, on the sands, & a couple of DoC officers had taped the area off, & were taking photos & measurements. There was a good crowd of people stood around watching, & as we approached, we could smell the reason why some people were standing well back! We soon realised that i...