*Ahem*

---

As I was so rudely interrupted by the computer saying I had no more credits.....

After my visit with Tane Mahuta, I then heading back down to Opononi to have a nice swim on the beach. People have told me that up until recently, there had been a friendy dolphin that would come to shore and play with the locals. Unfortunuately, the dolphin died just a short time ago. I found myself wishing I could find such a dolphin, to laugh and swim with, and even try to play with. Sadly, there was no such dolphin, but I found people surfcasting (fishing from shore with big rods). It felt a little like South Carolina to me. So I took a little dip in the Hokianga Harbour, wished I had a boat to get over to the sand dunes, and cooled off. I looked at my watch and found that it was about 4pm, time for me to be getting back to KeriKeri. So here are a couple more pictures of where I went for a nice swim, and the view from where Tane Mahuta is.

I have also decided that February the 6th is my departure date from KeriKeri and the beautiful North. I'm mapping out where I want to visit in the central north island. I'm relying on my Lord of the Rings Location book to guide me, and also some tips from the locals. I am glad to say that my first stop is a small town called Matamata, the home of Hobbiton (hears cheers from LOTR's fans) It is the most northern film site, so I'm glad that it will be my first in a many series of film sites. Then it's off to Mount Doom, or Okahune to spend a couple of days. Maybe spend the night in the same room that a hobbit stayed in, and see where Frodo and Sam struggled to destroy the one ring! I'm very excited to be lucky enough to visit such film sights, and know that I will be taking tonnes of pictures for everyone to see.

This weekend I am going back to the hot springs to soak my body with my co-worker Pam, then on Saturday night to a get together at Browny's place. And of course, the regular Saturday laundry. If there's a constant here in NZ, it's laundry, and it seems forest fires.
It's quite sad. There have been a couple of forest fires here in the area recently. It's just so dry here. It seems like there's been no rain for at least 2 weeks. The plants at the nursery are crying for rain, and I wish there was a day where it would just rain. To keep everything nice and green, and moist.

My bosses have asked me what I would like to do on the 3rd, as it being my last working day at the nursery. I haven't decided, I'm thinking maybe fishing, but we'll have to see.....

Here's a little bit of trivia for you.....
Tell me what you think this word means, it being all Kiwi slang, I find it fascinating...

Togs = ?
Trundler = ?
Capsicum = ?
Torch = ?
Jandles = ?

let me know what your guesses are!

---

Photos

Swimming in Hokianga Harbour
You can charter a boat over to the sand dunes to do some sand surfing

View from High Up
When you exit from Tane Mahuta, this is the nice view.

Comments

[Adrian]

what's that word?
Togs = bathing suit (or "swimmers") Trundler = no clue! Capsicum = sweet peppers Torch = flashlight Jandles = dunno The ones I did know aren't specific to NZ, the Aussies and/or brits use the same slang. Live with an Aussie for a year, you'll hear some f'ed up stuff!

[Jo]

my guesses
well I know a torch is a flashlihgt, beyond that you got me. be safe going up north!