Left Auckland and travelled by car to the Northland region. Stayed overnight at the Salty Dog Inn, Snells Bay and moved on the following day to Whangarei where we visited a clock museum in honour of Archibald Clapham. AC was a Yorkshireman who collected and repaired clocks after settling in NZ when he was in his twenties. On Saturday 20th October we moved further north to Paihia ( I am struggling with these Maori names) and joined the locals at the town food and wine festival. Ate the local shellfish delicacy called paua (most ladies will know the colourful shell as it used in jewellery making). This region was known for wine making in the early 1800's but it died out, although it is making a resurgence following an international award won by a local in ... read more

First day exploring Auckland and main task is to find a pair of specs for Barry (broken 2 pairs in as many days) plus a jacket for Sue as the air con in restaurants is very cold. Can't quite understand as it is only 16 deg C by day and 8 deg C after dark. Success on both counts in fact Barry bought 2 pair of specs just in case. Sue says I am high maintenance after the broken tooth in Australia and $350 for a repair. Captured the swimming event of the world triathlon in Auckland harbour (see photo). Later went for a meal in the Sky City rotating restaurant above the hotel where we stayed. Wonderful food and spectacular views. Only 36 hours in New Zealand and loving it. Stay posted as we have ... read more

Arrived in Sydney exhausted after an overnight flight from Tokyo and no sleep. Decided to visit the harbour area the following day after a good nights rest. Posed for photos, had a good lunch and went shopping for an opal ring in the Rocks area. At least a dozen shops later and success. Sue now has a birthday present.... read more

Earlier this year Sue and I had holidayed on the Isle of Skye and whilst dining at the renowned Three Chimneys restaurant, we tried a Japanese white wine. Whilst expensive at £12 per glass it was by far the best wine of 4 tasted during our meal. We gathered details from the sommelier and vowed to seek it out whilst in Japan. We were told the wine came from Yamanashi which we thought was a town but in fact turns out to be a prefecture similar in size to Lincolnshire. Fortunately our trip coincided with the Yamanashi wine festival and we took the train for the 100 mile journey north west of Tokyo. We met up with a lot of Barney's friends from university and former work places as this festival attracts wine buffs and people ... read more

A history of Japanese house styles captured over the past 2 centuries. All had been dismantled and rebuilt in this outdoor museum. Some European styles were in evidence as architects had travelled extensively. The Japanese finance minister was assassinated in his house by the military just before the second world war as he had cut the budget for the armed forces. Greeted by a wonderful guide who told us about her experiences visiting thatched cottages in the Cotswolds. She also gave a good history of the houses within the museum.... read more