Anchor House Paihia

... between Britain and the Maori´s was signed back in the 1800´s which effectively handed New Zealand to the British. In the best colonial traditions, the treaty was drawn up in both languages and the British to all intents and purposes stuffed the locals! They´ve been arguing about it ever since.



Nice part of the world but I´m pretty certain we wouldn´t travel halfway around the world to see it in its own right.

... are equally ridiculous. The tree itself is impressive and if hugged will apparently bring good weath**. I'm not quite into the huggin of trees - I'm from the north - we just don't do the hugging thing. Lizzy is practically having sex with it anyways - so surely that will make up for my little gentle feel of the bark. Various activities are explained. I'm reminded immediately of home. The rolling hills and drumlins could be County Down. The ...

... that you can stay around them. After stop in Russell we passed the Black Rocks on the way to Marsden Cross at Rangihoua Bay. The Black Rocks are volcanic remnants with the interesting thing being that they support flora and birdlife - not something that can happen on most rock surfaces. Marsden Cross is where the first Christian service was held on Christmas Day 1814. From here went back passed the second largest island in the bay, Moturoa. It is farmed with sheep ...

... or not. Though the weather had been beautiful the day before it had changed suddenly and now it was windy and overcast. We headed out into the harbour and almost immediately we caught our first glimpse of wild dolphins. There were around 20-30 in the shoal and they swam at the bow of the boat for around 30 mintues before we left them alone and tried to find another shoal that contained only adults. Seeing a group this large was truly amazing but ...

We are tired and a bit cranky and realise that we haven't planned a route or anything around NZ so spend the next 2 days in perpetual miffedness. Although, it's a pretty beautiful place to be miffed. We pick up another van, she says we've been upgraded, but we really haven't this is the worst van so far. It whistles like a kettle over 80km an hour as the passenger door ...

... ship captains to drop anchor and shelter from the Pacific whilst giving the crew some shore leave. Those days are long gone and what remains is an idyllic village on the edge of the bay. We had a bite to eat at Gables restaurant - one of the best here apparently, Seafood Chowder is highly recommended by me!, then we walked up the hill to the flagstaff where we were treated to 360 degree views of the harbour before tumbling down to Long Beach at the other side of ...

... money :-) BUT we did see them, after 15 mins we saw a pod of at least 30 dolphns and we could get really close to them. We couldnt swim with them as they had their young and apparently when the little dolphns are at this stage the mothers are extremely protective. The trip was in beautiful weather and was a really nice couple of hours. After our cool boat trip we ...

... several days in a good sized room that has a small, but functional kitchen. It's a couple block walk into town and a block to the beach. Place is pretty nice, although the walls are very thin! Having some more time in the evening we visited Horuru Falls, a couple miles outside of town. You can just drive to the falls and take a short walk to the view point. We did a short drive around the point and up a lookout, did some grocery shopping and cooked our own dinner.

... touching any fabric! The windows, which had been open for some time presumably to let in as much wildlife as possible, were covered with miserable old bits of fabric and grubby-looking throws. It was cold, clammy and depressing, and made the Ngunguru digs look like the posher bits of Longleat Centre Parcs. There was no way on God's green earth that Jez or I were going to sleep in this caravan. So, not for the first time on this trip we ...

... bay, it was a bit boring though. Russell is the longest continually habited town in NZ - and has the oldest church... Christ Church. You can even see old musket balls in the side of it, was slightly creeped out though because of the grave yard - sent shivers down my back. We were going to be going up to a view point, but I didn't make it - I am so unfit, and my ankle was so sore that I thought I was going to fall over. Heading back to Auckland tomorrow though. So for now c'ya xxx