Before I get into the main body of this blog, I wanted to tell you about an issue to do with Maori rights. The Tuhoe people of Te Urewera, to the west of Gisborne and south of the Bay of Plenty insist that they never signed the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. This treaty between the British and Maori set out an agreement and still today it is seen as fundamental tenet of New Zealand Maori rights. The treaty having been legalised in 1984, Maori could now address grievances outstanding since 1840. Despite being promised in 1896 the right to self determination, financial redress and legal right to land title from The Crown, it has taken until now to press their claims into law. This group of Maori, as of a couple of months ago, now have these rights over their traditional lands, better known as Te Urewera National Park. Whether the 'National Park' bit is removed remains to be seen, but we expect that not much will change.

One of New Zealand's Great Walks is within this area, around Lake Waikaremoana, and we'll be visiting the lake and doing a couple of short walks in November. We can't wait!

With the history lesson out of the way it's time to blog a bit more about what we've been up to.

How many people have not been to 'The Odeon', that large screen institution found in all the best towns.......and very much alive in these days of 'Netflicks' and DVD's? Cinema is where to see box office hits. A humdrum of feverish anticipation, the lobbies of cinema complexes throng with folk of all ages, their eager path to the particular cinema diverted only to purchase popcorn and sticky sweets. Without doubt the cinema is usually a place of great entertainment, frequented by the masses, where you can snuggle down in a comfy seat, do nothing and have a thoroughly good time.

So, with that experience in mind, and trying to live like locals, last night Lesley suggests a visit to the Gisborne Odeon to see 'Gone Girl'. Released three weeks ago, it has just been knocked off the top spot of UK Box Office ratings, so we decide to check it out (Lesley has also read the book). I can recommend it, if you liked 'Basic Instinct'. We get parked a few metres from the doors in a pretty quiet main street. Disappointingly, there are no crowds elbowing their way into the building, we are the only two in the lobby 15 minutes before it starts. Surreal would be an understatement. Maybe the Kiwis all turn up 5 minutes before to avoid the ads? Lesley buys a glass of red in the deserted cafe. A rather unsmiling lady takes our dollars and points the way up stairs to Cinema 5, agreeing that it's cold outside but offering that it is warmer in the cinema. Now this is impressive, 5 cinemas in the Gizzy Odeon, and indeed there are 5 films programmed. But where is everybody? Maybe they are all in and we're the last, but no, in our 40 seat cinema there are a couple of girls chattering away, and another two come in shortly before the start. We don't mind the ads before films, they are quite good, but here - none, just a couple of trailers.

Won't tell you anything about the film (but girls, take someone with you to grab onto) and there is something strange again. There are no censor's titles, it's straight into the film. Quite different to UK offerings, although there is a sign at the cinema entrance saying over 16's only. When we leave, it is still all rather eerie, nobody else in the lobby, and the main street is deserted with only a couple of cars parked here and there.

Feeling good having done something we must do more of back home (we have 12 cinema complex 10 minutes walk from our apartment.....not the Odeon I am sorry to say, though there is one 5 minutes away) we set off for the 7 minute drive to Wainui and home. Just easing the car up to 70 kph as we leave the town, the road is dark and I'm talking to Lesley about NZ films when she yells 'Look out' then BANG, THUMP and CRUNCH. Oh hell, what happened, and I pull over. 'It was a dog in the middle of the road', Lesley shakily offers, 'never saw it either'. We both get out the car and peer into the darkness........there is no sign of a dog and it's not lying on the road. A log lorry is approaching fast and if that runs over the animal it will be killed outright if it's still there. The lorry thunders past and we cast about a bit, and with great relief see two Rottweilers trotting on the roadside towards us. We hastily retreat into the car in case they are intent on getting their own back. But they wheel into a side street, isn't it quite unbelievable that one of them has been hit and can still move? He'll have a sore head in the morning though.

What have I done today? Got a quote to repair a dented bumper and broken headlamp.....there is only a single dog hair and no blood. 'You won't be able to tell once it's done', Alan the panel beater assures when I ask if the colour will be the same. That's yet another day Lesley will be working to pay off an unforeseen expense. But what would an adventure be without a story to tell..........