Dump and run at Auckland

We found these little falls off the beaten track at Panhi on the way
to Auckland today. We did the dump and run on Martyn &
Jan in the middle of Auckland and we have come on down to
Pukakohe and had another Thai feast at the 'Little Thai Resturant'. Yum

As yet we don't know what the rest of the week brings but tonight we sort that out. Probably the NE corner of the North Island...

Love you all .... xx

Things are desperate - Send Money

Typical countryside on the way to the bustling Dargaville. We started our trip back to Auckland to say bye to Martyn and Janet. Today we made it as far as Dargaville and tomorrow on to Auckland. Little did we know what awaited us accomodation wise!!

Martyn and Janet - still smiling - completely unaware of what was to come!

Modern dishwasher............ in a bucket mind you!

One bed to share - ala "Bob Carol Ted and Alice"!!!!
As we said - send money -bank details to follow!!!!!

Friday - A Day at Home

this is on the point after our bush walk which lasted 5 minutes, quite long enough really. It's a little bit windy up there but nobody can decide where we need to go. Brain drain. All in all it's a nice place to hang out for a few days and with a free night accomodation who want's to go anywhere.

We went for a lovely walk along the beach at our doorstep - found a pretty shell and hopefully we won't get locked up if we bring it home!

Martyn decided to do a bit of skylarking!!

A bit of a drive before stopping for a coffee and organising the night's entertainment at the local 'cinema' - The "Swamp Palace"

Tonight - 8pm - movie "Death at a Funeral" at the local cinema !! Can't wait.

Cape Reinga

Today Lyall and I went on the 90 mile beach trip - lots of lovely scenery again up to the beach. Stopped at the Ancient Kauri Kingdom where they carve things out of the huge trees that have been buried in the peat bog. The trees are really huge - in fact, they have carved a staircase out of one trunk! The letters you see below are little jewelry boxes - each letter is $230 (except for the letter "I" which is $130) not cheap but then it is "50,000 years old" !!!!!

Below is where we stopped to have lunch - it was very cold and very very windy - Lyall braved the elements!

Some brave people went sand tobogonning

Lots and lots of beach - we drove along the beach for 61km and there was still further to go before we turned for home.

The above photo shows a pretty amazing site but the salt spray off the water was pretty heavy. Still impressive though. A good day all in all - having Thai for dinner tonight. Jan and Martyn had a relaxing day at 'home'.

A Piece of Heaven

What a piece of paradise..... There is just so much of this coastline and very little development on it. The biggest problem is the proximity of somewhere to work - something to do to support the family...

OK you guys - what can you all do here in NZ?? THERE MUST BE SOMETHING!!!!


Oh well....
Tomorrow Lyall and Michelle are of on a trip up to the northern most cape for the day. Report on that will be here tomorrow...


Check out our own "Bo Derek" !!!! Onya Janet..

Love you all xxxxxxx

The day the world forgot - well I did anyway

Hi all. We are up the far North now. Celebrated Lyalls birthday with lots of yummy food that he just wouldn't eat any other day. Yummy goodies to block those arteries. Today we are moving into a beach front apartment so the Mcleans are doing the far north 90mile beach trip. Dad and I are veging. Anyway we are looking forward each day to seeing our boy and getting a big cuddle.

Talk again soon lets have some more blog Kara.

Lyall's birthday today and can you believe it - I have to fess up - I forgot!!!!! Unbelievable! but true!! Sitting on the balcony enjoying my morning tea and Lyall starts to sing - "Happy Birthday to me" I felt terrible! I think he has forgiven me though.

Hi Kara Dan and Mark and William. Missing you all although having a nice trip. We are staying dodgy tonight although we have booked a nice place overlooking the beach for the next two nights. Accomodation is the national money maker here in NZ it seems everyone is holidays. Lovely country though it's a pleasure to drive around. Although it's nice it doesn't beat seeing you guys, we miss you. How about another post Kara I want to see my boy walking by now.


Today we drove from our house in Russell to Manganui, still in the Bay of Islands. The picture above is of Bledisloe as in Bledisloe Cup. Was a very pretty drive up here and for dinner we had Fush and Chups at the World Famous Blue Nose Fush and Chup shop at Manganui. It was lovely indeed. Think we might have to go back.


the birthday boy after eating two pies, half a citrus syrup cake, AND an apple tart and then afterwards two coffees with a apple turnover with cream! Anyway it was his birthday so I guess he can. In the next couple of days we are thinking about going on the 90 mile beach trip. (it is really only 60 miles but they call it 90 miles - typical)

Russell

Today Easter Sunday we went to the local church and doubled the numbers. Lovely group of people and got some good connections for the future of our trip. yesterday we were blessed with just dead fish for tea. MMMMmmm Lyall looks very happy which was because he was cheesy happy. Today we don't know what to do so we might do nothing. Tomorrow more fishing and more ice cream. We need to try all the flavours. We are sad grandparents desperately missing the children and their hugs. We loves you all muchly. Ok.

The views here are just inspiring - just spoke to you guys - Love you so much Isaac and Cassidy, nanna and pa miss you so very much. Pa caught this big fish and we had it for tea last night. Trying to work out how we can all move here to live but can't quite come up with a plan yet! Love and kisses xxxx

Rotorua - Russell (Bay of Islands)

Our drive from Rotorua to Russell was quite busy! It seems that in NZ everybody wants to go away at Easter time - just like home really!

But it was worth it - the view from the house is to die for and the house isn't bad either!

This shot is from the veranda where we can relax while having breaky or playing Backgammon!

Nice one of Jan and Martyn!!

Even on hols the housework has to be done - hanging the washing between the lavender patches - quite pleasant really.

We will be here until Tuesday, Lyall's Birthday, and then we are not sure where we are going from there! Lyall is off fishing this afternoon so stay tuned for the fishing photos - we are planning to have fish for tea - No pressure though Lyall!!!!

Missing you all. Love from the mums and dads. xxxx

Rotorua - Luge and White Water Rafting (7m Waterfall)

This

Today we decided to go on the Luge just outside Rotarua - much fun was had by all. They talked me (Shell) into it but it was good. I went down three times! You are taken up in the gondola and then come down the luge track and then go back up again on a chairlift - which is a good ride in itself. The louts went off white water rafting and as the following pictures show had a fabulous time. I went into town and spent some money! Not much though!

After racing down a mountain this morning we decided that we needed a bath so off to the white water we went. We had no choice - we were doing 'level 5' 21 foot water fall due to low water levels. Not sure why, there seemed to be more than enough water.

So the three nutters went out on the raft and got fully soaked. Oh but what fun we had. How can we top this we have become adrenalin junkies now.

Shelly went shopping which suited her fine and was more than thrilled to have her hunk home at the end of the day. I took my hunk with me just in case he needed CPR.

Quad Bike - and on to Rotorua

Today Lyall got shot out of a cannon!!!! Well not really but that is what it looks like with this get-up on! Martyn and Lyall went on the quadbikes and loved it - they came back with big smiles and wanted to do more - next time boys!



The guide took the photos out on the track and he had a bit a trouble with the camera - but nevermind!

We are in Rotorua and tomorrow it is the Luge and then the boys and Jan are going White Water Rafting - I am going to stay home!!! Chuck over the side of the raft probably isn't a good idea!!

Janet: it is really hot and we have had to get some summer things. Played tennis this afternoon at the place where we are staying.

Bungy Chick, Huka Chucka Falls and Smelly Thermals

I did it. They thought I was mad but I fulfilled my dream of throwing myself off a very high place. It was the best fun I have had in a long long time and even if they didn't see me they heard the scream right down the valley. Actually after the initial horror I was just laughing so hard I near split my sides.I know it just doesn't seem right really but once they were ready with the camera I would have looked a right turkey if I didn't do it. Beside no refunds meant I had spent my money. So little William your Nana is a dare devil adrenalin junkie. When your ready honey I'll jump with ya!!!!
Martyn and Janet waiting on the top of the gorge to take these photo's when it all looked so good and they seemed to be smiling but Ah Ha there is a story to tell so come on down Shelly and spill your ......Oh well just tell em!
Well the title tells it all -


We got all suited up Lyall and I with Martyn and Janet on photo duty down near the falls. Off we went and then lot long after I felt a little bit dodge - a little bit later I was loosin' my lunch! IN THE BOAT - GAME OVER! Lyall and I were deposited back on the bank!





Em, this one is for you! Remember the smell you complained bitterly about? It is still there!! A very fasinating place though! very picturesque if you don't have smell-o-vision you are okay!!