Homeward bound

Six months have passed every quickly, and suddently it is time to leave. There have been a lot of goodbyes to say, and we will be sad to leave NZ, although it will be great to see friends and family in the UK again.

So what about the highlights? Well our road trip around the S Island takes some beating, for the sheer scale of the scenery. Auckland itself has some lovely spots, usually volcanoes, and we have enjoyed some great beaches. There's also the sense of being on the other side of the world, which is obvious I know, but still remarkable. Digging a bit deeper into the complexities of NZ culture - especially the Pacific Island influence - has also been interesting. When the weather is good (like today), there is also a peculiar quality to the light, which possibly results from the maritime air combined with the latitude. The colours seem richer somehow, and it makes many of the views a sight to behold.

And the lowlights. Two things for me, the poor insulation in our house (and most others), and the crazy, crazy Kiwi driving. But these pale into insignificance in comparison with the highlights.

So we are off tomorrow; we leave at 12.40 bound for Singapore, and then we fly on to the UK on Wednesday.

Best wishes,

Richard

Bay of Islands and Waitangi

We managed to get up north to the Bay of Islands for the weekend.

We visited the memorable HundertWasser Toilets - not to be missed and stopped in a cafe to watch the train coming down the middle of the street. Peter, Felicity and Adam got to drive the ferry across to Russell. We really wanted to visit Waitangi - the Treaty of Waitangi is New Zealand's founding document. It was both beautiful and quiet.

Here's some photos ...


If you have trouble, here's the link.

Best wishes,

Catherine

Cable Bay, Waiheke

A few photos of Cable Bay on Waiheke on a showery autumn day showing where David and Amanda are getting married.


Try here for the link to the photos.

Catherine

Taupo

We had a great time in Taupo. Peter, Felicity, Adam and I stayed at the south of Lake Taupo near Tongariro for a few days before moving up to Taupo where Richard joined us. We walked up to Huka Falls where Lake Taupo drains into the Waikato river. We tried out the geothermal heated AC Baths and walked through the Craters of the Moon - a thermal valley near Huka Falls. The highlight for P, F and A was our visit to MacDonalds (sigh) where you can eat in a real aeroplane which looks as if it's about to crash into the restaurant.


If you have problems viewing the pictures, try here.

Catherine

Tongariro

We had lots of fun at Tongariro although the snow was unseasonal for autumn.

Graeme and BJ looked after Peter, Felicity and Adam for us so we could go and play!

If you can't see the pictures, try here.


Catherine

Meola Reef

What with illness, a party, a march, bad weather and dentistry we've spent quite a few weekends in Auckland over the last two months. We took a short walk along Meola reef at the weekend. It's a long lava flow from Three Kings Volcano. Good views of kite surfing in Auckland Harbour.


Felicity and Peter enjoyed an Art Course after Easter - here are a few of their pictures.


If you have trouble seeing the photos click here and here.

Catherine

MOTAT

MOTAT is a musuem of technology - full of old fire engines, police cars, steam engines, buses, rockets and aircraft. We've had a lot of fun checking out their exhibits and testing their assault course. It's only about 10 minutes away from us, so we've been there quite frequently.


If you have trouble seeing the photos click here.

Catherine