New Zealand is beautiful!!! And yes Gemma you were right.- it does rain!
I met Ali in Auckland on Wednesday and we celebrated with a Maccy D’s, a box of goon and a few gallons of beer. Once the booze had cleared from our bodies we set off on our little road trip up to the Bay of Island and Cape Reigna. In a CAR!!! Having not driven for coming up to 6 months, I was very, very excited about this! We collected our lovely white Toyoto in the morning and once we’d set the windscreen wipers going, turned the full beams on , set the alarm off, stalled the car, freaked that it was automatic and opened the petrol thingy-ma-jiggy we managed to locate the indicator and set off on our little road trip….woohoo!

Our route took us up to Paihia, via Whangarei and Goat Island, then onto Kaitaia and up to the Cape Regina and 90 mile beach then down to Dargavile. Along the way I’ve learnt that ‘Wh’ is pronounce ‘F’ in New Zealand. Moved a few hundred stones in the rain, all in the name of friendship. Had some hokey pokey with Alison on the bonnet of the car! Seen even more dolphins. Met a guy in a isolated shop that comes from the Buzzard…..Queen Street! Driven down some very beautiful, windy roads that would have been much nicer to ski down than drive. Posted postcards from the most remote post box in New Zealand. Fallen in love with Pee-wi the sheep. Hugged some pretty big trees. Laughed at fat and hairy Fred the Pig. Milked one cow. Driven half an hour up one long, windy, scary dirt track to find out it was a dead end! Swam in the sea….this is something I really didn’t think I would be doing in New Zealand! And sung Alison a thousand songs with the mission of demonstration I should NOT do karaoke! I’ve still not convinced her can you believe it! I am now listening to a Welsh couple have a domestic!

New Zealand really is a beautiful place, so green. Everyone says it….because it is true! The Bay of Islands was stunning and the water, having come from the east coast of Australia, was so so calm. It looked beautiful. The dolphins that we saw on the boat trip in the Bay of Island came so close and was amazing to see them play. The farm stay was also great! We didn’t know what to expect, it was the only accommodation that was near Kaitaia. The couple we stayed with were really helpful and keen to show us round the farm and let us join in! Having been away from a proper family home for so long it was extra nice….and Heather was playing Carole King when we arrive! Wish we could have stayed another day so it is definitely something we will be doing again!

We are off to Sizzling Sausage night tonight and join the Kiwi Bus on Wednesday, first stop Mercury Bay!

I have a new number new number +64211635683.
Love ‘n’ kisses
Ellen