The Guys

Black one is George and other is Todd












This guy is Milford

Camping Challenge no II

After our first disasterous camping trip, we thought we would brave the wilds again!! So we bought a new tent and off we went to them hills for another adventure.

We decided to do to a place called Hahei which is on the Coromandel Penninsula. The scenery was gorgeous but unexpectidly the weather was fantastic. Easter, we are told, is traditionally bad as we are no heading into autumn. We couldn't beleive how nice it was and we spent most the weekend on the beach chillin - just what we needed.

Here are some piccies of us on the way there and the route we took.

This is Hahei beach - there are loads of little islands which look like spikes coming out of the sea. It must be fantsatic to have a boat and go out and explore the numerous islands.






This is Hahei from the clifftop

This is one of the little Bays that we discovered on the way to Cathedral Cove .


This is a picture of Hot Water Beach. Here you take a shovel and when the tide goes out, you dig a hole and you have an automatic hot water spa!! We didn't do it because there were so many poeople here but its only 2.5 hours drive from home so we intend to return and give it a go

This is Cathedral Cove and one of the most spectacular beaches we've ever seen.

Surprise Surprise

It was Neil's birthday on 29th of March and a crowd of us went to see the Pet Shop Boys in concert - it was a really great night and we all had loads of fun.

At the weekend, Sonia (Neil's very good mate from work) took him on a tour of some of the vineyards. The first one we went to was called Ransom Wines where we had a 'Flight of Wines' accompanyed by corresponding food for lunch - it was such a great birthday present. The website for the winery is at http://www.ransomwines.co.nz/ its worth a visit even if its only a cyber visit!!

On the way home we drove for ages very slowly and I was getting really tired and a bit cranky. Sonia then decided to go for Lotto tickets and there was loads of texting going on. When we got back to the house - she asked if she could pop in for 5 mins to see the cats - I was feeling really tired now and the last thing I needed was someone in the house playing with the cats. When I got upthe stairs - SURPRISE!!! Ray had arranged a party - everyone was there and we had a fantastic time - I can't believe that everyone was in on it and I didn't even suspect anything was going on!! Here is some of the pictures of the surprise and the party that followed.