Ferry across the Hauraki

It's Auckland Anniversary Weekend, so we decided to spend some time zipping around on the ferries off Auckland.

First up was Waiheke Island, a holiday destination just 40 minutes from the CBD. In scorching sunshine, we followed a sculpture trail around the headland where we found some pieces which might have been just as at home on Easter Island.


Next on the list was Rangitoto Island - the largest and youngest of the volcanic cones in the Auckland region. It was hot again as we climbed up to the peak to view the crater but fortunately there was no sign of volcanic activity.


We finished up with a trip to Devonport where we climbed North Head for an excellent view of the anniversary weekend sailing regatta before having dinner in the village.


For more photos, click here...

Radio New Zealand

Radio New Zealand is an odd creature. There are special slots on keeping chickens during Morning Report (which is preceded by a different bird call each day) and they always manage to talk over the pips. They play a mix of prog-rock and hip hop music at night. It's all the BBC Radio channels rolled into one.

But one item of real quality is the Prairie Home Companion on Saturday mornings. Have you heard it? If not, I recommend that you check it out right now:

http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/

Start with the News from Lake Woebegone. And if it isn't making any sense, click here for an explanation. It's basically Annie Proulx meets The Onion. Odd. Very odd.

Kia ora!

Well, we made it!

The flight was long, as anticipated, but broken up by an interesting meal break in Hong Kong airport - and the jet lag is now killing us.



But the sun is shining and the city's waiting for us. Nau mai, haere mai!

New Year, New Life

Well, we've re-homed the rabbits, jettisoned the junk and packed up our property.

All our worldly belongings (bar those which fit in a rucksack) are sat on Tilbury Docks in a shipping container, awaiting the Maersk Kowloon. And we have two one-way tickets to Auckland just waiting to be used.

We're leaving London behind and heading down under for a new life. Watch out for updates here...