Hi Folks

We are having some major technical hitches getting this blog off the ground so ignore any other things you have received I think this one is going to be the real deal!!

Friday 7th November

Tainui Road,Our new home for the next 8 weeks.After a gruelling 36 hour flight from the UK we had finally touched down in NZ,the land of the long white cloud.The sun was shining but our bodies were in no mood to enjoy it,and I am sure that I heard mine squeal when it saw the bed in the house because it knew for the first time in 36 hours it could be horizontal.

Once Sue the owner had shown us around we were both asleep within 15 minutes just intending to have a quick nap but before we knew what had happened our bodies had taken control and we did't really get up till 6am the next morning.

Saturday 8th November

This is a downside of global travel,the early starts for a few days while your body adapts to the huge time difference but to be honest by 6am we were so hungry we would have been up anyway!!!

By 8am we were on our way to the shops to get provisions and were amazed by the few hundred people that were padded up and playing cricket so early on a Saturday,a totally alien concept to us,but as we walked and talked we decided that with suroundings this good it was worth the effort to enjoy the day fully. In true Marcus and Mel fashion we spent the next 4 hours walking the town and climbing the highest points around,which in this case was an 87m high extinct volcano with stunning views across the harbour to the city.

The harbour is amazing and sometimes the water doesn't look real it is so turquoise and today the sky matched itWhen we turned to look the other way we had Mt Rangitoto in the distance.We had time to check out our local beach,which is just a few minutes walk from the house,before arriving back home with tired feet and ready for food.By 21.30 the tiredness had set in again but we fought it off to watch the rugby,which after a promising start ended in defeat so we weren't too impressed but eventually we gave in and hit the comfy bed again.

Sunday 9th November

Well it's day 3 and we have noticed that we still get tired around 4pm at the minute but I am sure it will wear off in a few more days.The sun was out again and the wind was blowing but it didn't stop us going for a walk to another of the many beaches around here.Narrow Neck Beach was deserted apart from a few wind surfers taking advantage of the weather.We watched for a short while before heading along a cycle track to see where it lead us,but as this place is fairly small it seems all roads lead to Victoria Road the main shopping area and as it was midday we decided to take a leaf out of Jill and Richards book and enjoy a late breakfast in a local deli.Mel had eggs benedict which in itself is not amazing but the fact that it was the first time she had eaten them was!!!

Feeling contented and full we took a seat on the sand at Torpedo bay (yes another beach) where we found a sheltered spot out of the wind and read for a while to the local seagull mafia got too close for comfort and we had to on off their beach!!!

Its just gone 7pm and we are just deciding which crap TV channel to watch,this place does have it's down sides you know!!!!

Speak again soon,and remember the more you message us the more we feel closer to home and won't miss you all as much.

Take Care

Lots of Love

M & M

xx