Only a quick blog at the mo before I run out of time on the computer!

Been here for a few days - weather's been fantastic, everyone's really friendly and laid back etc etc...any more cliches you want to throw in there? Went over to Rangitoto Island in Auckland Harbour - a dormant volcano that didn't exist until 600 years ago. It's now a nature reserve with several walks of varying degrees of difficulty/laziness - the main path up to the summit is a bit on the lumpy side, what with it being made of lava (a bit extreme even for extreme pushchairing!). It's also quite eerie as there are very few birds on the island (apparently there isn't enough food or water for them). It seems very odd to be stood in the middle of a lush, dense woodland and not to hear anything...

I went up the SkyTower today (tallest structure in the Southern hemisphere - taller than some of the volcanoes you can still see in Auckland) - apparently it's half term school holidays... Best way to dodge the kids? Take a Skywalk - yep, hooked onto a 1m wide walkway round the outside of the SkyTower. 192m up. Did I mention it was outside??? AND I have the photo evidence! :P It was just me and Jules the guide when I went up - which was sweet (as she kept saying - a very Kiwi expression). It was fantastic weather for it as well - we could see right over to the Coromandel, which is about 40 miles away across the harbour.

Off up north tomorrow! Where it's warm and sunny, with beaches and rainforest...jealous yet? ;D