Hi Everyone,

So everything here is still going great, i'm still working and living in Taupo but a few things have changed for the better over the last few weeks. I am no longer housekeeping at the hostel, working 3 hours every morning after working till 4 most nights was exhausting so i had to give it up. The deal was they would take 10 hours of my pay each week to pay for my accommodation which was a bunk in a dorm, which would equate to $130 a week which is ridiculously over priced. Jen moved out the room, and with Ant gone down to work on the mountain, it was basically crap in the room with just me and Adrian. So i asked around and discovered that B who works on reception and her boyfriend Scribble (DJ from the bar!) had a spare couple of rooms so i spoke to B and she would only charge $100 a week. We jumped at the chance, so we now live around 10 minutes walk out of town centre, with a flat screen TV, PS3 and Sky TV! (sorry Dad!!) We have our own rooms with double beds, and work is so much better now that i'm not constantly in and around the hostel.

The other news is that today i bought a van that will take me and jen all around NZ! Adrian spotted the van for sale parked up in town, a 1992 Toyota Hiace, with a bed in the back, automatic with a good CD player, $2000 ono. So i rang the girl yesterday went to see the van which was perfect, so after a quick test drive we came to $1800 which is a real bargain! Me and jen will go halves on the cost, so thats all sorted. Really i'm now just waiting for jen to finish up her job which will be till end of August then we're off and away around NZ! I have been driving round today, i honestly have to pinch myself that i'm living in a house and driving a van on the otherside of the world!

I miss you all lots still, but now i just can't wait for various people to arrive, esp Mum and Dad!! Any family reading this i hope you're getting excited about the upcoming wedding and baby arrival! I'm so jealous of you all being there for them both! :(

Anyway that's about everything that's new, i will have another blog up when i have more news to report.

love you all!

Ben xx