Ps.... KL lay-over

So we had an 18 between flights... So made the most of KL, and Colin visiting his childhood. First stop Batu cave home of the 5 legged cow (since dead) Colin was surprised at the development here, asRead more
So we sadly come to the end

Our last night in NZ was spent in Howick visiting the lovely Caldwells. Who took us out for what must be one of the best Thai meals. Just down the road from them was a beach and plenty of parking....Read more
Goat Island

First stop was Whangarei Falls. Quite a pretty waterfall and walk. Nice being able to make these impromptu stops now that rain has held off.
Original plan was to hire kit and dive at Goat Island butRead more
Happy birthday to me

What a great place to spend a birthday. Sun shining. Blue skies n seas.
Today we did one of my top ten dives. We went along a wall explored an arch but creme de le creme was going into a cave. ThereRead more
Poor knights-bucket list

So after our disaster of not getting to dive the rainbow we headed to tutukaka to dive poor knights a day earlier than planned.
We found a fantastic freedom site over looking the bay, and which weRead more
Castaway

We've driven up for 7hrs hours to paiha to dive rainbow warrior. Arrived at dive centre at 7.45. Taken the 45 mins to boat launch beach. After dive brief the rib was launched n we all jumpedRead more
Good bye for now.

Today we say bye (again) to my daughter and her friend. I shall miss her and Laura cooking but be so good to get the van to ourselves, we can keep our bed up, we hav more space for things and moreRead more
Spa day

After having to put earplugs in overnight as the rainfall was so loud we were woken to the most beautiful view.
Headed off to hot water beach where you did holes in sand to allow the hot spring waterRead more
The upside down

Stayed in another amazing freedom site called roselands. In the woods at the back there were glowworms, i kept popping out tryin to see when they were coming out, by 21.00 I got Colin to come n seeRead more
Frodo n Co

Stayed in a great low cost site tower museum $12 with electric.
Hobbiton was great. Yes very commercial but what a business for the farming family the Alexander's. Unfortunately it poured down, butRead more
Mountain high.

Left the beach late morning to go hiking up mount maunganui... Ok so it wasn't high, but to this unfit old person it bloody was. Note made more exercise when back home.
Nice views from top but it wasRead more
To the beach

Breakfast at our overnight carpark camp site was nice would hav been nicer without the sulphur smells but you can't hav everything. Christy n Colin showered in the oilly smelly lake.
Made way toRead more
Spring day.

We woke after a brilliant night's sleep to really miserable grey wet cold day... Just ripe for a day of outside activity. Luckily as we headed north the sun shone.
We passed mount doom with rainbowRead more
Off we go..... Or maybe not?

So we start our journey from welly up to the North. Didn't start well, OH taken wrong out of date driving licence all I could hear was "sorry sir you can't drive on tht" now at tht moment in time IRead more
Niece's pad

Off to visit Hope and Mike today. Bit of long journey but nice way to see the area. Went through one if the prettiest towns I've ever seen called Grey Town would been nice to stopped but noRead more
Wedding 1920 style

The reason we decided to come to NZ our friend bevs wedding. After the appalling rain the day before the wedding day was bright and sunny. Held on the beach side decorated by the talented bev herself.Read more
New Zealand

We chose an ace of an Airbnb hosted by Gillian, who was lovely and we felt at home in no time at all.
Christy picked us up and took us on a quick tour of welly. First stop was Ta Papa museum where weRead more
New Zealand

So we land in New Zealand, and what's the first thing that happens on our adventure? I get done for 'smuggling' an apple through customs- long story short given it (29th) on airplane from HR put it inRead more