Farewell to the Kiwis!!

Well, the last couple of days have continued in the same vein weatherwise with a mixture of small amounts of sunshine interspersed with clouds and heavy downpours. Stilll, we did manage to do a few hundred km to the north of Auckland taking in the great views from the Waitakere Ranges.

We then went on up the west coast to Helensville and across to Dairy Flat (we love some of the names of their towns!!!) and Albany before ending up in the north shore suburb of Devenport. We had hoped to meet up with some English friends who now live here, but as it was a bank holiday weekend (Waitangi Day) they had gone away for a few days before the children start back at school today.

The evening threatened heavy downpours, so we stayed close to the Motel and ended up in an Irish Bar (called "The Bog"!!!). To keep us entertained we took part in their weekly quiz - giving ourselves the name "The Not So Barmy Army"!!! This went down particularly well as England vs New Zealand was on the TV at the time!! Unfortunately our knowledge of NZ was not too hot, and although we didn't disgrace ourselves, we ended up last!!! However, we did get a certificate for this achievement and a free drink!!

Our abiding memory of New Zealand will be one of a land of contrasts with many amazing geographical phenomena, wonderful wildlife and sealife (apart from penguins!!) and friendly, cheerful people. Unfortunately the weather did not live up to expectations, but it has still not spoilt many wonderful moments we will store in the memory banks and look back on with pleasure.

We are now waiting for our flight to Los Angeles. Hopefully the States holds more spectacular experiences of one sort or another!!!