Hello anyone who still reads these,

Just a quick little update to tell you about our last few days in New Zealand. Here goes ...

Having left Wellington we took the 4 hour drive at 6am to quickly set up camp in Napier and leave for the cricket at midday. The cricket groud was dead but the school holidays had started so the kids made up to make small crowd of a few hundred. Pick of the seats though and even a nice spot on the mound in the sun after the tea-break helped towards an enjoyable day watching New Zealand get Pakistan all out for 223 achieving 3 ducks in a row for Pakistans middle-order. They were ony kept in it by a century from their opener who took 117 not out. A nice day of relaxing enjoying the sun, wine/beer and cricket was ended by bad light with New Zealand on 47 for 0.

Leaving Napier we arrive North in Whitianga (near Mercury Bay), a place we didnt really know much about. Our fulll day there was eventful though, and we drove to find Hot Water Beach, a beach where you can dig holes near the surf to reach the hot water underneath. Here we saw lots of families building their own personal spa pools. Next we found the 45min coastal walk down to Cathedral Cove. This walk ended at a hide-away beach set down between the hills with a tunnel naturally carved through one hill to adjoin the two beaches. A lovely picturesque beach where plenty of people go to relax, sunbathe and see the Catherdral-looking rock looming out of the water. Shame we forgot our swim-wear!

Finally, we took the short drive back to Auckland to return the car and enjoy a real bed for a few nights before flying to Chile. Tried to sell our camping gear, but to no avail so just settled for relaxing at the hostel and going to the cinema on cheap-tuesdays!

That´s it for now until after new year when we´ll update you on Chile.

Hope alls well and everyone has a very merry christmas.

Lots of love Katie and Steve xxxx