Hi all, Thanks for all the endearing comments - keep them coming! Last night we went to a big birthday party at the local firestation (small community) and would you believe it there was a scottish piper on the door squeezing his bag. Drinks were 5 dollars for the whole night which is more like 2 pounds and you just poured your own- a good night! Chatting to the piper, he allowed us to have a blow which was much harder than id ever expected?!- managing to get a whimperish fart out eventually - although im not so sure that was [View Full Entry]

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Yes its New Years or Matariki as they call it over here (Maori New Year). We went into Waipukarau to join in the festival, well small festival which included a couple of stalls, a hot-dog stand and a stage. The entertainment was initially very good with traditional maori dancers as seen on the pic, although it was particularly cold as winter sets in! Also managed to spot a Praying Mantis on the wall on the way in. [View Full Entry]

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Past few days have been quiet, had a night barbeque - (Ostrich - a bit like steak!). Doing a bit of farm work, catching a few bubbles (gucuzzis) and generally milling. Gem did her first day working for her mum and is still here to tell the tale. I on the other hand am having problems with registration as my 70 pages of evidence is not 100% perfect as offcoarse it has to be to work here (now i know why there's a shortage of physios!). [View Full Entry]

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Hi Gem here, Not much doing that last couple of days. Shown Dave the exciting sights of waipukarau, which took all of five minutes. its small but very friendly. Dave now has bank account and insured to drive, of which he is opting out of doing for the moment seen as though he has ferried me round for the past three years, only fair really. You will be all glad to know Dave has nearlly mastered all the chickens names and the controls to the hottub!! Slow day today, colder weather than usual and raining (oh the memories of home). Been [View Full Entry]

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Yes its hip its swing its here its the kill a prawn driving range where you bash balls into a shrimp farm with different targets to hit! (i think Andy and Ray would appreciate this but not Suze!) Also nearby is the huka jet (thats a boat -not a cheap gladiator) which flies up and down the river at worrying speeds! Theres plenty to do in Roturua if you have the money as its not a cheap place. Also managed to view more geothermal parks and my first visit to a vine yard! waheeeeyyyyy! I never thought wine tasting could be [View Full Entry]

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Roturua today to explore some HOT ROCKS! Wai-o-Tapu thermal wonderland to be precise plenty to see around here and ideal for a cold day. Stunk of rotten eggs though which you get used to after a 4 or 5 hours. Also saw a kiwi bird in the reserve and learnt about the maori. Popped into a sulphur thermal pool which is apparently good for your bones hence the reason im typing so fluently on this keyboard. ooo yes and nearly stood on a stick insect which gem managed to spot. (would put this on the top ten things to do in [View Full Entry]

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Hi guys thanks for the bloggs, Lake Taupo today and i wont go into details - its a big lake and im talking BIG, Gems parents boss owns a log cabin out there to use at our will so off we went! Took 5 hours to get there as they havent heard of motorways or any form of straight road over here. The cabin was great in the middle of a forrest next to the lake (more like a treehouse) If your into birds of prey over here then this is your place as their more common then any other type [View Full Entry]

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HI THERE! well the flight was very comfortable - 4 seats to myself, watched many films, played many games...and then watched more films and played more games ..... and so on! Up early this morning feeding chickens and sheep etc my usual routine at the crack of dawn??????? dont feel tired atall yet - my jetlag i think hasnt arrived yet unlike my luggage which was a shock. The farms huge - will send pics when i work out how too. just about to have a dip in the hottub, you know how it goes. seeya! [View Full Entry]

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WELCOME TO THE WORLD 'DAISY ELLEN WISEMAN' 12 May 2005 [View Full Entry]

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