Category Archives: New Zealand Revisited

Very hot night in the YHA but finally fell asleep with just a sheet over me and didn’t wake til 4.30 – pretty good considering there was noisy traffic outside. Two other girls and me sharing and we all had … Continue reading →

Kay kindly drove me to Auckland where I had booked into the YHA for the night. She had another engagement In Auckland during the afternoon so I didn’t feel she had driven there especially.  The traffic is much heavier around … Continue reading →

Today Kay and I took a trip to nearby Matamata, where the Alexander family farm has been transformed into The Shire, Middle Earth, as the setting for the filming of The Hobbit. Although we were amazed at the number of … Continue reading →

Today Kay and Chris took me to Maungatautari Bush walk to see Kakas. Always love walking through the bush looking out for interesting plants and trees and birds.  With the autumn season arriving, so did many types of fungi.  Here … Continue reading →

All packed up and ready to go! ….but wait, I can’t leave Taupo without a swim in the Lake! We left Taupo just after mid day for Cambridge where I would be staying with Leigh’s sister, Kay, and Chris.  I … Continue reading →

I hardly slept a wink last night, in fact my sleep app confirmed this.  It rained heavily all night long and somehow I developed a sharp pain between the shoulder blades. After taking some painkillers, I spent the morning packing … Continue reading →

Rainy morning and cold – a mere 14 degrees, yikes, it really is beginning to feel autumnal. Gill took me to the Interccity Wellington to Auckland bus at Johnsonville and we said our farewells and I hopped on for the six … Continue reading →

Sadly I was unable to visit Laura and Asher – silly me, left my driver’s licence at home but I look forward to meeting them in a couple of months in Charlbury.  Laura has been offered a veterinary job nearby … Continue reading →

I overslept this morning which was great as I didn’t have to be anywhere and Gill had gone to work early.  So after updating my blog, I took a leisurely shower and breakfast by which time it was nearly mid … Continue reading →

My room at Paradiso Backpacker’s might have been expensive (as the last one available) but it is very comfortable and quiet.  It is actually a small apartment with a double bed, kitchenette and little private garden area with table and … Continue reading →