Friday. today we went to auckland via the ferry. kathy had manage to arrange one of the stages of the Louis Vuitton pacific sailraces to be on today. the ferry had to slow down for one of the stage races took place. went for a tour of the quay, and some of the fantastic craft there. onto the skytower were unfortunatley my fear of heights took over so we went into the casino instead.we did not win if you can belive that.had a thai meal on the way home and are now preparing for the trip around north island with ian and kathy,they live in howick as we do but you cannot compare the two places even if you discount the sun / snow by the way it was 81 today in some places derek