Capital Gateway Motor Lodge Wellington

... They're a young couple from the Netherlands who have been in NZ for over a year doing what we are trying to do (but much more skilled & qualified). It was a fun evening & we shared experiences of attempts & frustrations to get work. Over the last week I've slowly realised just how very British I am! I've recently learned that I love the formal British ways & find it hard to accept the kiwi approach of obtaining work. Advice is to encourage the less formal ...

... br>The hike up Mt. Kaukau was superb. We could not have asked for a nicer day, as Ange has told me that the wind at the top is usually such that you need to occasionally check that your ears are still attached to your head if you get caught out in it. The whole trek up took only around 1 hour with great views of Wellington and the harbor below all along the way. Even ...

We have had two guinea pigs now for a couple of months so I thought it must be time to post some pictures of them. According to the person who gave us them, they were born on 26th April, making them three months old now (Millie likes to know these things). Their names are Lillibet and Hider, though Dylan originally called his Smashabomb.<br><br>They are starting ...

... leg on the table and the cue through your legs was never going to work! After they were both knocked out we hit the sack as on the move again early. Unfortunately we were woken at 1.20am by a fight outside our room which was really rather scary and carried on until the police were called. After the police arrived and everything had quietened down we managed to get an hour or so kips before having to get up.

... ici semble voyager en camping car, en westfalia ou avec une voiture et une tente comme nous. Tout le monde dors sur les sites interdits et tout le monde se`fait ses toast au bruleur sur le bord de l'autoroute avant de sauter dans les lacs pour se "laver" et repartir vers de nouvelles aventures... Ne vous inquietez pas, prochaine destination Picton, ile Sud pour visiter la cousine de Sabine et surtout prendre une douche! A bientot...

... before 8.30am and high tide. I overtake the 3 young Americans who were in my section of the hut last night. They seem to be having a problem with a pack. I pass Tonga Quarry where large blocks of granite remain from an old quarrying operation. I make it across the golden curve of Onetahune Beach in good time - only 2 sets of footprints ahead of me - as the mist turns to rain and the wind gets up. I'm wet and cold by the time I reach Awaroa and the water taxi pick up point ...

... but such a rush and so so fun.we went through clouds on the way down adn it was freezing, but so fun just freefalling, then when they pull the cord u shoot up and get to take it all in which is almost just as scary. i got to steer us down as well which was harder work than it looks. had a lovely instructor who stopped me having a complete panic attack about it all and so glad i did it.got some great photos and dvd from it too. next day was the tongariro crossing, rated one of ...

... a place to stay or was I about to get robbed blind or something? With all these thoughts going through my mind I bought a little time by managing to make contact with the campsite manager and asked him if these guys were on the level. Yeah if you like he said, which wasn't really what I'd call a solid cast iron guarantee, but well what the hell, I thought. He didn't say no way don't do it.. So I went back to the guys and said OK, lets go.. First ...

... the city where we got lost and had to bash our way through land-slipped forest. We got back down to find the proper trail, all boardwalks and staircases...<br><br><br>So the fun continues. Tomorrow the bus arrives at 7:45am for the assault on the Tongariro Crossing, a 17km must-do walk through the volcanic park and what is promised to be some more wonderful scenery. Forecast looks good so lets hope it delivers! I'm off to make a lot of sandwiches and hire some walking poles..lots of love