Since we last wrote we have spent a month apart (don't worry...we survived). We both had to return to the UK separately for interviews and other than that not much happened. Claire did go to the Wellington Sevens' festival one weekend but as she is unable to recall much of the event there's little to write about.

Three days after we'd been reunited Claire's mum and dad arrived for a holiday. They landed late Friday afternoon and we immediately whisked them off to the Gisborne Wine Centre to sample the local vintages. It was a hectic experience as it coincided with our last official day of work and so a number of people had turned up to wish us well. A table for 20 was arranged right in the middle. Following this the British occupants went out for dinner at a pop-up Mexican restaurant in an art gallery - 'The Day Of The Taco'.

The weekend consisted of a real introduction to Gisborne life with a trip to the Farmers' Market, a fresh fish BBQ by the sea, sampling wine in a local vineyard with live music and a visit to Captain Cook's landing site. This wasn't complete without stretching our legs down the longest wharf in the Southern Hemisphere at Tolaga Bay. Greg and Claire decided it was a challenge to jump off the end of the wharf, unfortunately nerves got the better of Claire, so several minutes later, with quivering legs and an audience of bystanders cheering them on, they plummeted gracefully off the side and into the sea below. We survived and luckily so did Claire's bikini.

Gisborne's weather managed to live up to it's reputation...so much so that Kath even indulged in a little paddling in the sea! The weather also held for her birthday present - a private scenic flight up the East coast with spectacular views and a rather dishy pilot according to Claire. Regrettably Greg stayed firmly on the ground due to his healthy anxiety at being thousands of feet in the air in what is essentially a ride on lawnmower with wings.

A full week of activities ensued. Kaiti hill was conquered, further wine was consumed and green lipped mussels were home-cooked with limited to no ill-effects. Kath and Claire were dragged around the East Coast Museum of Technology, essentially three warehouses filled with old cars, tractors, fire engines, tanks, medical equipment and washing machines. A scrap yard that you paid to walk around. The reward for the brave young adventurers was yet another trip to a local vineyard!

We decided to embark on one of the local adrenaline activities...the Rere rockslide, mentioned in a previous blog entry. The relatively flattish rock slide into a plunge pool was undertaken this time on an inflatable inner tube. Shortly after arrival Tim decided he had to have a go, sharing his inner tube ride with both Claire and Greg, it was a cosy affair. Unfortunately at the bottom all three were thrown from their raft. Greg emerged spluttering but unscathed and clambered back onto the ring. He spotted a hysterical Claire in the water to his left simply exclaiming repeatedly "I've wee'd!". To his right, scrambling back to the ring, was Tim, a look of shock on his face as he winched his trunks up from around his ankles beneath the water.

It was Tim & Kath's final day in Gisborne and they had saved the best til last. They all got up early to head out to sea to meet the local stingrays. Kitted out in waders, and given brief but strict instructions, they strode into the murky depths. As the guide spoke dark shadows appeared to be moving towards them, growing bigger every second. First came the kingfish, from the shark family and sharing a striking resemblance. They circled around, viciously lunging for anything that resembled food. Then appeared the stingrays...at least ten times the size any of us imagined. They came straight for us and on multiple occasions attempted to clamber up our fronts, nearly knocking Kath over. We were given chunks of fish to feed them, which you did so as you would a horse, flat handed, and they would hoover it up. FLAT HANDED they will never forget after their first attempts led to fingers being crushed by the toothless, vice-like jaws. Once you got the hang of it though it was amazing. GoPro in hand Claire fancied an underwater shot. Unfortunately she lingered for a fraction to long and the shine of the GoPro attracted a nearby kingfish. The GoPro survived, her hand didn't fare so well. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, however even nipple high waders couldn't save Kath and Claire from the incoming tide.

The week was rounded off with a delicious meal at the local posh restaurant (there's only one). A glorious Gisborne experience was had by all (we hope). It was also our last week in Gisborne. Now for the next adventure...