Our motorhome has served us well. Plenty of room for us to spread out and not feel like we're living on top of each other. The diesel is really cheap compared to the UK, about 40p a litre. On the drive to Miranda we cut along a farm gravel track which must have been a mile long and straight enough to have made a Roman proud. As there was no possibility of traffic, both the kids got to have a long drive. I've been singing Motorhead's Keepa Motor Runnin' and they both burst into a rendition of it as they drove. Ed and Cas called the vehicle Bessie and Hat and I called in MMM (a Scooby Doo inspired Mallinder Mystery Machine).... read more

The sky was bight blue so we thought a coastal walk to a pretty bay would suit everyone. From Waihi beach we took a forest trail which snaked uphill. After 15 minutes Cas thought that the trail reminded her of a dog walking path rather than an idyllic coastal footpath. It was not long after this thought that she realised that we'd taken, well, a dog walking path. We retraced and were soon on the right path. It ran along the cliffs and gave great panoramic views of the islands in Waihi Bay. We then descended to Orokawa Bay, a long, white sand beach that was fringed with overhanging trees, perfect for monkey children. Ed and Hat spent a good hour lying in the surf as waves crashed over then. Cas and I were both in ... read more

We're we packed up and off by 9.00, heading West. We stopped in Te Ahora, translates to Mountains of Love, for food and to pack up a box to send home. We have spare stuff that we just don't need eg thermals, hats, bumbag, camera case, travel towels and head rests etc. All in all it was 8 kilos and a pretty large box. The travellers adage is 'pack your bags, then take half of it out and whatever you think you'll spend, you should double it. The adage is holding out so far. We pulled up at Karangahake Gorge and took off on a 'Windows Walk'. The area has a gold mining past and it was like walking the set of Indiana Jones and Janes Bond. Several large, and wobbly, suspension bridges took us across ... read more

If proof was required that they are enjoying proper childhood activities, I would present these shins as the primary evidence.... read more

Did another three hours driving north today and passed through Hamilton. To stretch our legs we went to the park gardens which has won international awards. It was excellent, a host of interconnected gardens from different periods and countries. Ed and Hat took turns choosing which door to go through next. Ed, favourites were the Tropical and the Chinese gardens. Cas the Japanese and Italian. Hat the Japanese and Backyard. And mine was the Chinese and Italian. We grabbed a bite to eat and did the final 20 mins to our destinations which was a in Ngaruawhia Memorial Park. There were red poppy flags all over as they remember ANZAC day on the 26th April. It was on the banks of the river and the park had an excellent obstacle course which the kids played merrily ... read more