Taranaki

We have now left Murupara and travelled west to Taranakei to spend the weekend with Lindsay's uncle and aunt Graeme and Wilma before we move down to Otaki. We spent the day travelling around the western cape visiting Twahiti Museum where there were marvellous models illustrating the history of the   area  including the wars of the 19th centuary and the agricultural development.

A wonderful clear evening enabled fantastic sunset over Mount Taranaki.

Last few days in Murupara

We are into our last few days in Murupara. We have mixed feelings about leaving as having been here for 7 weeks we have started to make friends and feel quite settled. However we are looking forward to the next phase of our travels moving down to Otaki next week, where no doubt there will be new experiences and challanges.

In the meantime we are still enjoying the late summer / early autumn fine weather, with cold frosty starts to the day but hot afternoon and evenings.

Here are some views from our batch this morning.

Te Awanga

We have had a week of catching up with friends. On Wednesday evening we met up with Annie and Colin Prior in Rotorua. They are on a world trip and currently on a whistlestop tour of New Zealand. I was great to see friendly faces from home and catch up on their news.

This weekend we have travelled down to Te Awanga which is just south on Napier, to visit Glenda and Jonathon. Glenda is a family friend who looked after Lindasy when she was little. They have a house in a beautiful situation overlooking Hawke's Bay and Cape Kidnappers. The weather this morning was quite dull and overcast so we managed a long cycle ride along the coast cycle track up towards Napier. After lunch the rain had set in but we still managed a walk along the beech seeing the surfers enjoying themselves in the waves.

Tomorrow we are hoping to see other friends who live locally.

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland and Lady Knox Geyser

This weekend we are spending in Rotorua again as there is still lots for us to see and do in and around the town. We also needed to do some shopping for a new pair of hiking boots for Roger and a large range of fishing equipment for Lindsay. She looks lovely in those waiders!

We went to Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland this morning to see the Lady Knox Geyser. Not as impressive as you might imagine, as the main event only lasts a few seconds. However the water spouts up about 10-15 metres. Again the thermal areas were impressive with a wonderful variety of colours and shapes.

This afternoon it's wet; the tail end of a hurricaine which affected further north of the island. So relaxing in our apartment and deciding where to go out tonight.

Galatea Fisherwoman of year

Here is the proof of the fisherwoman's ability. Still none to eat though!

Rotorua and Lake Tikiapu

Back at our Batch now in Murupara after a great weekend in Rotorua.

Last night we were entertained royally by Katherine and Tony, at their lovely house overlooking Lake Rotorua. Fantastic panoramic view across the whole lake. Lindsay has posted a video on facebook.

Today we took a walk around Lake Tikiapu just south of Rotorua. Otherwise known as The Blue Lake it was a 90 minute circuit, quite hot and tiring but well worth the effort.

After a spot of lunch we did a quick tour of some of the sights in Rotorua, the city museum, which is a grand building in old colonial style and the pretty church Ohinemutu.

Rotorua and Waimangu Volcanic Valley

It's been quite a week this week. Lindsay did her three days intensive fishing bootcamp, which she thoroughly enjoyed and is now a proficiant fisherwoman. However we've yet to taste any catches as all the fish she caught were too small and had to be thrown back. Here's hoping for a bountiful catch next week! Roger had a busy week at work which started off on Monday dealing with an extremely serious major paediatric trauma case in the medical centre. Hoping for not so much excitement next week.

This weekend we are staying in Rotorua and doing some of the touristy things. Today we went to the Waimangu Volcanic Valley, a 2 hour hike through the volcanic area south of Rotorua, to lake Rotomahana. The scenery was fantastic but the colours were amazing. Some of the volcanic pools were at temperatures of between 55 to 75 degees celsius, with hot streams flowing in and out.

Tonight we've been invited out to supper by some friends of Louise, whom we havn't met as yet.

Tauranga

This weekend we have travelled up to Tauranga, on the east coast. This is the largest town on the east coast south of Auckland.

Having spent a comfortable night in the Trinity Warf Hotel right on the waterfront, today we went to mount Maunganui. We managed to climb to the top although it was really hard work in the hot sun. We were pretty sweaty and tired by the time we reached the summit but the views were worth the effort.

This evening we're back on the farm in our batch. Lindsay starts her fishing boot camp tomorrow. A three day intensive trout fishing course.