North Island

We now  have internet properly - we've moved to Napier, on the east coast, in a motel. Wet morning, but it's now HOT and SUNNY and I can't get my head around it being nearly Deceber. I'm sitting in the motel room in short sleeves - the door is open, and Sarah is dozing on the bed. 

We spent wednesday doing geothermal stuff - absolutely fascinating geysers, and ponds of all different colours - particularly memorable was a large and smelly lime green one

Really weird vegetation - We did Huka Falls near taupo today and went for a walk, We came across a bird making a noise like a squeaky gate, and the tree ferms (all the native species are evergreen) are really weird

The scenery on the drive  from Rotorua to Napier is stunning. Just endless miles of fantastic vistas. We did volcanic stuff yesteray with John and Rob, and met up with our old friends Dave and Denise from Loughborough for  a natter before they went off for a Hangi in some Maori village. We were all in Rotorua last night

Tomorrow we stay in Napier, and do the art deco trails.The centre of Napier wasflattened in a earthquake in the 1930s, and was rebuilt inart deco style. Napier has its ownmicroclimate, and it's currently hot and sunny. The motel is clean and lovely, so we're al very happy.

The shops have christmas decs in,and sarah has set her heart on bringing back a sparkly kiwi to hang on ours.