We would just like to say a massive thank you for all your lovely messages it is really great to be in touch xxxxxxxx

Having spent more time at Hobbiton than expected, not only were we running late but also out of fuel!! There are very few filling stations on the main routes and we reached one by the skin of our teeth so a lesson learnt! Arrived at our Rotorua campsite (close to the city centre) just in time to check in and dash out for dinner. Thought to have a night cap on the way back but discovered that all hostelries start to close around 10pm and the whole populace seem ...

The journey from Hot water beach included a trip along the coast and again we managed to stop at a few places to view the lovely beaches and admire some of the stunning houses overlooking the coast. We stopped at Waihi, great surf beach, got the chairs out and had brunch (egg sarnies and coffee, simples but lovely), carried on over the Kaimai range, brilliant views and lots of bends to negotiate along the way! We decided that, as Hobbiton was a slight detour to...

Managed to get up at a reasonable time to finish packing and leave the city roads before they were closed for Auckland's175th celebrations. Took a taxi to the campervan hire depot and cabbie didn't stop moaning once (most unlike a London cabbie!). Motorhome sound and got a quick hand over and directions. We set off and immediately directions went out of the window as 300 yards down the road we ended up circumnavigating the airport in totally the wrong direction...

Stopped on route to Hot Water Beach and cooked breakfast on a gorgeous beach at Kuatuno. Just love the beaches here; golden sandy stretches along the Pacific coast, mostly lined by grass verges, easy to park up and picnic and there are so many bays and coves that none seem crowded. Once at Hot Water Beach we did what had to be done and donning a spade we headed down to the beach prior to low tide to dig for hot springs. It is the only beach in New Zealand where...