Hi you blogging readers how are you all? Flew out of Singapore to Auckland via Sydney - 9th/10th June 2010.Overnight flight as usual for the first leg, not much sleep as aircraft was full and plenty of coughing and babies crying. Short transfer window in Sydney, dark, so could not really see a lot, then morning flight to Auckland. Small plane totally full. Met a brit called Pete who was a chef on a 60ft twin masted sailer who seemed to have a most charming life. I am sure he had his own stresses but cooking breakfast, lunch, dinner and tea - the resr of the time lazying on deck - oh what a life!!!!

Then trouble at immigration. Beware all you travellers to NZ, read the immigration card carefully - missed the bit about have hiking boots in the suitcase. Could have cost me $400 but got rapped over the knuckles instead and a very clean pair of boots. No foot and mouth here and they don't want any - totally agree.

Took shuttle bus to hotel which was in the very heart of the city, but totally exhausted so ended up sleeping all afternoon and early evening. Meal was good but pricy and afterwards went for a stroll up (and I mean up) Queen street. I think extinct volcano's come into it somewhere where Auckland is concerned.

Next day (11th) needed to pick up my car but as luck would have it right next to the hotel was an outdoor clothing shop (NZ equivalent of Blacks) and got me a fairly decent waterproof jacket and over trousers. The luck bit happened some half hour later when walking up this hill. At the start was sunshine, half hour later very heavy rain - so both jacket and trousers were used, would have got soaked right through as there was nowhere to shelter at that point. Anyway picked the car up - with satnav!!! - Michelle please do not tell simon. What a boon, could I find a sign to tell me how to get on the motorway? Thereafter have used it everyday.

Drove north some 150k+ to a very nice town called Kerikeri, not that I have seen in daylight. Stunning views along the way but did not see many places where you could stop and take photos. Driving very similar to UK, left turn at lights similar to USA.

The hostel is a single story wooden structure, no central heating just a big log burner. Seating, dining and kitchen is a L shape, all very comfortable. The hostel is part of a fruit farm growing oranges and mandarins and they take on long term visitors in what they call Wwoofing (acronym). Stefan was the boss (german) with two Taiwanese (Tim and Shannon) plus Nadia (german). Made me very welcome,explained the ropes and I think sat back to see what sort of meal I would cook. Had a very nice piece of fish that night that I had bought locally. Dark by 5.30 so not much goes on, spent the evening having a chat, mostly about english words and phrases as all the visitors were keen to learn english. Nadia would check the German/English dictionary whist Shannon would use her electronic gadget. All three had notebooks and spent time especially on Skype.

Also much chat about the football, Stefan rather upset that there does not seem much coverage on NZ channels. Can get it on Aus channels but quality can be poor.

More adventures next time