Hi now in Napier. Great campsite with ocean veiws keep looking for dolphins but haven't seen any yet. Got here yesterday afternoon after a nearly 3 hour journey, headed straight into the town which is famous for its 'art deco' buildngs (it was rebuilt after an earthquake in 1931). Stopped for lunch overlooking the sea then headed to Marineland which said in our guide book had dolphin and sealion shows, we'd given it quite a build up for the kids only to find when we got there that their dolphin had passed away 5 months ago and actually it was just a few pools with sealions in which were allegedly quite impressive at feeding time but that never actually materialised! We were ever so slightly disappointed and it has been renamed the 'dead dolphin show'! We then went to visit the national aquarium of New Zealand just down the road which luckily was much more impressive, the usual sharks stingrays etc. plus crocodiles and a couple of kiwis which we saw really close up! Then back to the site for tea, had our first experience of rain (no snow yet, we've seen pictures of yours in the papers!)

This morning was slightly overcast again into Napier up to a lookout point to look down on the town and the port, very impressive much like Southampton. We then headed out to the 'Aquatic centre' which actually just turned out to be the indoor public swimming pool which was completely overun with school children! not a pleasant experience but kept the kids happy. Back into town for lunch then we visited the museum which was really great. Wandered round town and admired some of the art deco buildings - as much as we could get away with before the kids got tired of walking - we do miss the buggy! Popped into our local winery at the end of the road and had a quick taste, bought a few bottles. Back to the site and onto the beach for a paddle, bit breezy. Had tea at the van.

We are headed off to Palmerston North tomorrow to meet up with Roger, Zoe and Eve for a BBQ, then we're onto their beach house, potentially for 3 nights but if the weather isn't that great we may move on before then. Basically while we're there I don't think we'll be in reach of internet so may be a while before my next blog. Have managed to secure myself a job for when I get back, horrible to have to think about it while we're here but needs must! Start in Winchester on 24th - too good an opportunity to miss really. Sorry for lack of our photos struggling to find places that can do it.