Hey,

since Mt Maunganiu we've been to Rotarua and Taupo, we spent 3days in Taupo and these were probably the best 3days yet in New Zealand. For once we had a nice ish day on the drive into Taupo from Tauranga, taking full advantage of the weather we decided to put our life on the line and head straight for the airport to scare the sh*t out ourselves by jumping out of a plane from 15000ft. The four of us were joined by about 8 other guys and girls from the kiwi experience bus, some of which looked pretty damn scared. We were suited up and given partners for the drop, I was partnered up with Ingy some Swedish dude he looked experienced so I was quite happy with that. We all gathered in the plane and within minutes were up in the air in tiniest plane, we were squashed together like sausages. The flight was great, the view of the lake Taupo pretty spectacular, I was calm it was like any other flight. Next minute they open the hatch and the guy sat in front of me looks petrified, he's first to jump from 12000ft! We carry on for another ten minutes upto 15000ft, they give us oxygen masks in case we pass out! We get to 15000ft and I'm the first to go, I can't expain how surreal it is, first thing your in a plane happy as larry, and then there I am feet dangling off the edge of the plane looking down into oblivion. I was told to smile from the camera and then GERONIMO!!! I'm falling!!! We did a back flip as soon as we left the plane and free falled for a minute, it was the most exhilirating experience ever and the initial drop for 5secs out of the plane is pretty scary (you are so disorientated). After spinning around in the air we eventually released the parachute and spent 4mins taking in the awesome view of the lake before eventually landing in the airfield. Everyone landed perfectly, I however, took a sideways approach and ended upon my arse! Couldn't believe I did it in the end, and wouldnt stop talking about it afterwards, I hate flying but have just jumped out of a plane, surely I've conquered any demons I previously had.

The next day we decided to do the Tongariro crossing through the mountains, Chra and I decided the day before that we were gonna climb mt Ngaruhoe or more commonly known as Mount Doom in Mordor (from Lord of the Rings), where the ring gets destroyed in the film. This was so much more dangerous than the sky dive, it's 2200m high i think and took us 2hrs to get to the top. I don't think I've ever been in so much pain, we followed the lava trail initially up the mountain, which was like climbing up a massive sand dune. We kept slipping and sliding down, rocks were lose and giving way all the time. After about half an hour we were well above the clouds, the view was amazing from where we were, but I was struggling only about 10 ppl climbed it that day and I realised why as we continued, I was going to give up but after a while I had gone too far. I was naive, I didnt have proper boots, or a coat, or gloves, the basics! The further we got up top, the colder it became and soon we were scrambling over ice, chra was wearing trainers and was struggling with grip. 2 thirds of the way forward I was in absolute agony, both my legs were cramping up and it felt like I'd pulled a muscle (we rested for 10mins) and the pain subsided, we had to carry on. We were 20m from the very top, but were struggling. The final furlong was pure snow/ice, I was determined to make it. I got 10m from the summit when suddenly I lost grip,I was going backwards not forwards UH OH! I was sliding back down, I turned on my back and dug my heels and hands into the snow, no use! Fortunately I managed to stop myself from picking up anymore speed. I've had enough now, my hands are stinging from the cold and I seriously could have slipped all the way down the snow trail all the way down the mountain. Both of us were about to head back, when an irish lad (Kieran) came back down from the summit in full hiking gear. We gave me his gloves and with his pick axe started making a path back up to the top, we followed. Success!!! We had conquered the mountain, the view of the mountain range was spectacular, it was so worth it in the end (check out the photos). The next tricky part was getting down. The ground was loose, and icy, chra went down on his arse coz his trainers were useless. I slipped again on the way down but grabbed onto a rock to stop me sliding down the mountain, again! Eventually it got easier, and I ran down the rest of the lava trail for about 800m, it was just like running down a big sand dune, great fun! Once we had made to the bottom we continued the rest of the 18km walk with Kieran who had really helped us out, we walked past craters and lovely blue and green lakes. Each time we went up hill I really felt it in my legs, I've never had so much cramp in different places in my legs. Not planning on climbing anymore mountains in the forseeable future after that epic adventure, but gonna do some more extreme activities.

We're heading to the south island once Phil's sorted out his passport, not sure if you know but he had his bag knicked from the van and had his flight details, insurance and others bits nicked when we were out at a foam party. What else has happened, well Lowe got pulled over by the police for speeding!!! We went out in Taupo and met up with a bunch of Irish girls and got wasted, got so many random photos of complete strangers, one of the girls told the bouncer to chuck me out just for a laugh, he was mean looking but I think I could have taken him (he didnt anyway).

Not sure what to expect from the south island, it'll be pretty desolate I expect. Planning on scaring myself more by doing the nevis bungey jump. It's a 134m drop!!! So I may have second thoughts.

I better go for now, hunger has struck time for beans and bread for dinner, YUM!

Hope your all well, another good result for southend (leeds 2 southend 0), is that 2 wins all season looks like your going down Petey. As for County, we're going up 12th in the league and knocking on the playoffs door.

Speak to you all soon,

Ben xxx