Again, another long time between blogs...

So next up for our trip was a Super 14 Rugby game between Auckland Blues and Western Force, Force won 27-17 - not the best game of rugby ever but the seating was really close to the action so it was cool! There was also some amusing banter between some South African guys and 2 kiwis, something along the lines of "the sharks ate you guys for breakfast" (dont worry if you dont understand - sharks are the Super 14 team for Natal). The evening ended with a night out in Auckland city for a couple of cougars and coke! Back home at about 6.30am..

Didnt get much sleep that day! So a chilled one for us next where we went to clean the campervan - scrubbed up quite well (see photos) - didnt last long as its quite dusty in New Zealand! Awesome spaghetti bolognaise a la Mike for dinner :)

England beat Kiwis at cricket! Couple of beers for St.Paddy's day..

Managed to find a gym to use for free - met a very accommodating reception manager called Edwina, who sorted us out for a couple of sessions - slightly better than pull-ups using tree branches! Really good gym actually. Matt and I went for a run around the local (hilly) area - which was lovely.

Now for our first part of proper travelling in New Zealand - a long weekend up to Cape Reinga (most northerly part of New Zealnd) and the Bay of Islands! Myself, Matt, Ollie and Dan took the campervan aka Californian Rattlesnake (guess why!) firstly up to Paihia. One good night out and one slightly marred by a drinking ban over easter(!!) bit of a surprise to us! Stayed on a beach, did some kayaking one afternoon, and went on a long run to a waterfall, as it was really hot in the van in the morning. Next was a dusty path up to the Cape, via 90-mile beach for some surfing and sandboarding :) Spent the night up there and got up early to watch the sunrise - which was very nice indeed! Now it was on the way back where the trouble happened..to get straight to the point - smoke coming out of the engine! Had to be towed back home about 45kms!

The story of the van has almost ended, with someone buying the pretty much unusuable van for $700 - i assume for parts.. Included in the journey was another breakdown with tow and us using it as a resting place for a couple of days in takapuna before going south. It was briefly renamed the Phoenix - when it looked like it cured itself but eventually died a graceful death on the streets of Auckland. It was a short but enjoyable time :)

So for last times in Auckland with the Relling's, we went luging a couple of times (once for Miff's birthday - which ended in me receiving a dead leg via a t-bone crash from Matt!) awesome fun, though i dont think they would let it happen in UK as it was pretty unsafe! Had another night out in Auckland, met up with a couple of girls we met in Thailand, celebrated Mike's birthday and got a tattoo done...sorry Mum and Dad - i'm sure you will come to like it one day (tongue in cheek!) Photos to come...

We are now in the South Island, after spending a couple of days getting down here via Gisbourne (being one of the first in the world to see the sunrise) and Wellington - where we got to see the Sharks Vs. Hurricanes (another Super 14 game) 13 - 13 draw with a bit of controversy at the end, went out on the town and went to the Te Papa museum to learn of some NZ culture. A massive thankyou goes out to Corina (Coriander), Saffron and Sonia for letting us stay with them and Corina making us a roast on the sunday night - was awesome!

Now in Christchurch - via trying to see some whales at Kaikora. Not loads to see, but been inside the Cathedral already (bet ur proud Mum and Dad!). Off to mt.Cook tonight for a early start climb tomorrow - looking forward to it!

Hope all is well back home