The rabbit afterwards...

One shawn German Angorra Rabbit. Before you call the RSPCA they really don't live in cages like this, they can only handle about 12 bunnies a day in the shearing shed, they live in a barn about 20kms away!

Glow Worm Caves...WOW!

Waitomo. Wow. A tiny village 50km south of Hamilton with just 41 permanent residents. Fabulous campsite, spacious cabin, swimming pool and hot tub.

There’s lots on offer. Hundreds of caves to explore. Abseiling into caves. Diving in caves. Black water rafting in caves (where you’re in a dinghy in river rapids underground). Toobing in caves (the same as black water rafting but you do it in an inflated car inner tube). High Rope adventures. Pot holing. It is the underground adrenalin capital of the north.

And, not to disappoint, we did two amazing things today.

Yes, we did go caving but we opted for a sedate 3-hour guided-tour to see Glow Worms with a charming German Kiwi called Annette. After a 20 minute off-road drive where she pointed out the many fault lines and sink holes in the rocks, we followed a stream into a cave, boarded a dinghy and gently floated into the darkness. Turn the next corner and OMG! Imagine the night sky on a really, really clear night. Then quadruple the brightness of each star but all in complete darkness. We must have been on that boat for a good 20 minutes and in our party of twelve, no one spoke a word. It was awesome, and really quite moving – quick, move on before I need a Kleenex….

But seriously, it was spell-binding. Of course because it’s pitch black, picture taking was futile. Here's a picture of the entrance to the cave, just to show we were there. If you’re interested to see the blurb, go to their website at http://www.glowworm.co.nz/

On the road...

Our first few days on the road have been fab, still warm and sunny...We had two nights in the Coromandel Penninsula visiting a place called Water World and a unique Mountain Railway built by a famous potter. After that we crossed the mountain range and walked down to Cathedral Cove (pictured - as to be seen on the new Prince Caspian film) and on to hot water beach. We stopped off in the Karangahke Gorge on the way down to Waitomo and saw relics of its goldmining industry.

Here she is....

Shes a beauty.....

Water, water everywhere...

Here's Emma and her friends Sophia and Jess getting ready to go out snorkelling. Tim and I took the more sedate route via glass bottom boat and we saw lots of things we can't remember the name of, except sea urchins, Snapper and MauMau.

Thanks so much to all of you who are posting comments, it's so nice to think that someone is reading it!!! Jackie, no the carved head is not me, cheeky! ;0) Claudia, glad you like the necklace, it's made of Paua shell. And mum, that there is a Pukeko not a common duck! :0) LoL Ju xxx

Ah, how sweet is that?

Did I say already that New Zealand folk are really friendly? Well, they are, and they almost without exception make time to stop and talk. Tim & I were at the viewpoint at the Goat Island Marine Reserve and a very kind lady took our picture there. Here we go, a rare sighting of the two adult Wilkos together. Em by this time was getting into her snorkel gear, see the next picture for details...

Posted by Julie

Old Wives' Tales

Funny, when you are heading for strange climes, how folk "in the know" will tell you that "You won't be able to get that there" and so on. Well let me tell you that you can everything here you can in the UK. However, I think I know why "those in the know" get confused. You see the Kiwis have changed all the names of the shops, so for example, Tescos is Woolworths and Woolworths is The Warehouse, Halfords is Repco and B&Q is Bunnings.... You get the drift. Another old wives tale was "you won't get a good curry".... Well you can. In fact we went for our first curry on Thursday and there, right in the middle of the menu was, Chicken Tikka Masala. Not normally one for the ol' chicken Tikka I ordered it and lo and behold, spot on. All washed down with lashings of Kingfisher. Emma had Chiken Dharba, Ju had Lamb and Pea curry. Xanthe had something hot as you can see from Emmas face when she tried it.

Posted by Timmy.

Goat Island

On Easter Sunday we went to the Goat Island Marine reserve. Its a long beach with lots of rock pools but you couldn't take anything as it was a marine reserve. Just out from the beach, at an easily swimmable distance was Goat Island. In fact, you could hardly call it an island because its so small, its just like a big rock. It gets that name because farming was hard on the mainland because they would release the animals and never see them again so they thought of using the islands - one problem, they couldn't keep cattle because on the islands there was no fresh water. The answer was goats. They don't need water to survive. So that's how it got its name! Sadly, there are no more goats there now, its not possible to keep anything there now because its close enough for rats to swim across to!

posted by Emma

Nature Watch

For the nature lovers among you [mum!], we've encountered lots of wildlife so far. A Kingfisher sat on the telephone wire in front of the house this morning, and a Hedgehog carried on foraging as we passed on our way out for a curry last night [the curry by the way was superb!]. We see a lot of Pukekos (pictured), and watched a Heron fishing in the estuary, but most common are Sparrows and common old Ducks!

Waiwera Spa

On the way back from Orewa we visited a thermal spa - there are a whole range of different pools at different temperatures, from 30-48 degrees, all heated by the volcanic activity 1500 metres below the surface. And a fab set of water slides to keep the kid(s) entertained whilst the adults relax!

Orewa Beach

This a view of Orewa Beach. The campsite is just behind those trees.

Our first venture...

This week we ventured out by ourselves and camped at Orewa Beach, about 40 mins north of Auckland. Well, I say camped, what we do is hire a "cabin" at a Top Ten site and this one was exceptionally well-equipped, really nice size cabin with everything you could possibly need, AND right by the beach as well. Weather was gorgeous and we all had a swim in the sea, even Timmy... The beach was strewn with whole clam shells, thousands of them. Here's Tim and Em in the background as I try to get artistic with the camera :0)

Howick Historical Village

A delightful day looking at how early European settlers (the Fencibles) lived and worked here in Auckland, from tents and straw huts to schools, churches and houses. And for those of you wondering where I am, here's a little piccie of me...(!)

Maori Carving

The visitor centre at Whaitakere Ranges has some examples of traditional Maori carvings.

Rainforest Walk

On Friday we went exploring Aucklan's very own Rainforest park at Whaitakere - stunning scenery and lovely walks.

Then Sunday a charming day at the local historic site - Howick Historical Village - showing the history and conditions of the early European settlers with everyone in period costume. Greg went off fishing this afternoon and ended up rescuing some stranded jet-skiiers, how embarrassing (for them!). End of week treat - fish and chips - but there's no cod or haddock here. Gurnard is the most common and very tasty.

We are now the proud owners of.....

Proud might me too fine a word for it..... in fact "begruding" owners might be more apt. Anyway... we now have a year 2000 Nissan Primera Station Wagon (wow).... Silver, so at least not red!!! This beauty will no doubt feature in many photos to follow..... Cars here are e-x-t-r-e-m-e-l-y expensive BUT... servicing is very cheap. After being robbed £100 for "re-programming" the key of our Toyota Avensis back in blighty its nice to be quoted £15 to replace the entire door lock on our new motor.......... Wish we'd brought the 'ol Toyota. Worth a fortune here........ I'll do a piece on motoring in NZ soon.......

We're all going to the Zoo today..

..well, we've been actually! Auckland Zoo is small but perfectly formed and we saw loads of animals up and around who would normally be cold and sleeping this time of year in the UK. Did you know that New Zealand only has THREE Elephants, two of whom are in Auckland Zoo? And only TWO Alligators, and only ONE Crocodile! Fascinating...they have Kangaroos and Emus, Red Pandas and an elusive Kiwi. Tomorrow we hit the Waitakere Rainforest for a good long walk (in the shade, this heat is still taking some getting used to!)...Posted by me Julie xxx

Howick

Howick is the nearest town from where we are staying. About a 4 or 5 minute drive or 20 minute walk (due to having to walk down to the bay and back up again - think cornwall) ! Howick reminds me of a colonial town although much modernised... 15 cafes, 3 pubs, library, Post Office (remember those)?, newsagents, fashion shops, antiques, clock mender (!), bus stop etc etc. Oh and the ubiquitous FoodTown (Tescos)...... Photos to follow... Reminds me very much of both Kalamunda and Bawtry....... Had to visit the Orthodentist today to check Emmas braces, they have a different system here, obviously, which no doubt just means more $$$..... Oh well eh ? Posted by Tim.

Tooo hot

The weather over the weekend has been hotter than we all anticipated. Mum and I decided before we arrived that I would be alright with jeans and a pair of combats. NO. we bought some shorts and some three-quater lengths on the SECOND day. Oh well, I've got a tan (and red patches) already.
This publication was brought to you by Emma, coming soon to a cinema near you.

Tim & Em in the kayak

In the background the extinct volcano, Rangitoto, as Tim and Em kayak around the bay.

The girls hit the beach

Jess, Em and Sophia with Rangitoto in the background...

Our first weekend - Auckland NZ

We have had a fabulous weekend being shown around by our gracious hosts, Xanthe, Greg, Sophia and Jess. Saturday we went to the Pacifika Festival in a park in Auckland where we saw Pacific Island crafts, dances, foods and displays. And today, Sunday, we went to the beach and went kayaking....The weather is sunny and warm (about 24 degrees, early 70s in old money), we're being careful not to get burned. Had to invest in bush hats yesterday to keep the sun off our lilly-white bonces...tonight our hosts are cooking BBQ accompanied by pina colada. We hear storms are approaching the UK, batten down the hatches!!! Oh, the weird thing is we're the other side of the dateline so I'm writing this on Sunday but the computer still thinks it's Saturday, I'll have to change to NZ time so it'll look like we've lost a day...

WE'RE HERE

Hoorah, we're here, tired and shaken but not stirred !! Nice and warm if not a bit muggy but hey ho... This is a pic from the lounge of our hosts fab pad. Just look at that view... Many thanks to the Nobles for their hospitality,who are currently at work/school and so have the pleasure of us to come home to. We haven't cooked, but the wine is chillin'........

Posted by Tim.

Freaky Thursday

Well it might have been, had we had a Thursday. Left LAX at 20:00hrs Wednesday and arrived Auckland 05:45 Friday. What happened to Thursday ? Oh well, at least we didn't spend any money and didn't eat any food. (Good for the diet).....

Actualy the flight was a bit rough.... I think the 747 flapped its wings all the way here....seemed like it did. "bit of a storm" said the pilot.... Probably the worst flight I've ever been subjected to...

Posted by Tim (again)...

Stars Houses (missing from last post)!!

This is the famous Chinese Theatre with all the foot/hand prints of all the starts in the cement outside. (It featured at the start of the Pink Panther Show cartoon series whereby the Panther and the Inspector arrived by Lambo to view the Show at the Theater. Remember ? ?? ... I'm full of it me). Posted by Tim (again).

And so farewell to LA...

And so it is time to say farewell to the fine city of LA. I say fine but its only fine if you like traffic. Lots of it. I mean really lots of it !! It makes the M25 look like a leafy lane meandering through the countryside.... Anyway no trip to LA would be complete without a trip to Holywood. And here are some pictures of stars houses. CAn't exactly remember whose is whose but one belongs to Arnie, Toma Hanks and (somebody Decaprio)?? and Jim Carey. Nice pads guys. Oh, and we nearly missed the tour bus in Beverly Hills as Ju was stocking up on goodies...... no not designer gear, food of course !!
This bit was brought to you by Tim.

Day 2, Los Angeles

We arrived in LA on Sunday, the weather is great! We went to Warner Bros studio today,on the V.I.P. tour. We got to see loads of sets and props for films and T.V shows like Harry Potter etc. I am having a great time and missing everyone (but no too much!). Next, it's on to Auckland on Wednesday!!
Emma xxx