Northridge Country Lodge Auckland

... at some point in the future. The weather was glorious and a major transformation from yesterday's gales and rain. This is what I love about the weather in NZ – like the UK you never what will happen from one day to the next. Funny thing weather and people’s perception of it. All through this trip and also when I was offered the job in Canberra I kept having people tell me that Australia the *the* weather. This is bollocks. Australia ...

... really - they are on a kind of guide wire system that halts them right outside the window so we can see their naked fear for a few seconds before resuming the plummet. I don't fancy it myself, in fact it takes me a while before I am braving the lift back down.

And that was the first full day in NZ. It's nice. I just hope the weather picks a bit soon.

Before I go, I have to say something about the TV here though. It seems to consist entirely of:
1 ...

Word up,

OK, so Cairns was an interesting place. We stayed at a place called Angie's Guesthouse, on Gemma and Tom's recommendation (cheers guys!). She is a Brummie expat and a bit eccentric, we saw her on our way out one morning to go down the market where she's a fortune teller! In fact she was very reminiscent of Marsha from Spaced. The place itself was alright but the sign up saying heroin use will NOT be tolerated were a bit ...

... Luxurious Ski Holiday Accommodation at affordable Prices. Design your own ski holiday from the huge range of properties to choose from.

Looking for a Budget Campervan or Motorhome or if you prefer Affordable Luxury then we can supply you with a Vehicle to suit your needs. All our Vehicles come supplied with a 24 hour-7 days a week Roadside Breakdown. Here's your chance to fly a Jet Airliner Simulator! Here's an opportunity that doesn't come your way ...

Travels went well with smooth flights all the way. Duplicity was my choice of movie. Others watched various including Hannah Montana new movie. Villa exceeded our expectations to adjoined units. So two baths, two showers, two toilets. Very cool.Then King Bed (where R u Kathy). And separateliving room. Vey close to pool and the sea. Units 817 and 818

... such fun -you are an awesome travelling companion. It has been a wonderful experience being able to share our trip with you all, and I would like to say it gives us such a thrill to see how many `hits' are still getting, which means most of you are still following the Blog -it has been a fabulous way of sharing our trip and being able to communicate so easily with our friends and families. As I post this , we have had 1294`hits/viewings !!!!! This is it -byeeeeeeeeeeeeee

... again to travel around the top part of the South Island. We have hired out a Hippie Camper again which will be brilliant!  Also since being here we have been to see Coldplay in concert and My Fair Lady (not really my bag, but good) Next week we are going to see the killers. I have also invested in an SLR camera- my new toy! Sorry it's all a bit rushed but thanks for taking the time to read it. We are having an amazing time, the country is beautiful and  the people are lovely. 

... a couple of beers until the sun went down on the last few people fishing here for the day. 6-12-08 Whites Bay. It was cozy sleeping in the back of Tanja's van. When we woke up in the morning she slid the van door open so we could look out at the water. Beachfront living! The air had a bit of a cold snap to it and the water was even worse. I walked down to the water and waded in. It was so cold, my feet hurt. I managed to talk myself into diving under brrrr. Freezing! So I did it ...

... the Auckland War Memorial Museum - a huge place renowned for its unique collection of Maori and Pacific treasures. We experienced a Maori cultural performance - an entertaining glimpse of maori culture through song and dance. This included the "HAKA" dance (the bulging and eyes and protruding tongues signifying a sign of defiance). Apparently the HAKA was used in battle during the ...

... crossing our fingers hoping it's only that, no other problems related to it...) and off we go. Plan is to drive to Bay of Islands and stay there on a campsite, taking day trips around the area and getting back to Auckland by Friday to pick up Tina & Matt for a weekend at Matt's colleague's cottage by the sea.


Apres 12 heures d'avion et une journee de perdu a cause du decalage horaire, nous voila enfin arrives au pays des kiwis. Matt et Tina ...