'Go on, just jump, it's only 9000 ft...'

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Taupo is apparently renowned for it's sky diving. I almost plucked up the courage/ had a lapse of sanity, and considered doing a tandem sky dive, but my attachment to terra firma won me over. They wouldn't fly high enough to give Steve a rush... he's fearless when it comes to heights. We've seen The Brave Ones plummet out of the sky every day we've been here; we've seen them landing up-close several times, when we've been to the airport to check out the helicopters...

We've bought more gadgets and gizmos to fill the increasingly limited space in the van; we'll never be able to get all our stuff back into one suitcase and a backpack. Steve's bought a fishing rod and spinners and swivels to catch our suppers with (despite the fact that only fly-fishing is permitted on Lake Taupo and most of the rivers around). Hours of fun to come with that. I'm waiting with 'baited' breath for my fish supper... And we've bought a 3-person inflatable boat, oars included, on which we intend to potch about, on calm waters (note that, CALM waters), when summer arrives. No buoyancy jackets yet, but we've got the boat, with oars, and a pump... :-I

We've also received our NZMCA 'wings' through the post to stick on our van, to show we're members. Fully-fledged NZ campers we are now, not one of your here-today-gone-tomorrow rental company campers. We've got wings we have. We've met several campers here, New Zealanders, who have huge coaches, all fully equipped with Sky TV and other home comforts. The couple next to us have sold their house and now live in their coach, but I suppose it's possible to do that if you've got the space that a coach affords. The woman had driven the coach the last few weeks as her husband has just had surgery on his foot; got her HGV license to drive it, no worries. And I was worried about driving a Transit Van!

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Photos

Huntin', Fishin', Shootin'
Ray Mears would be proud...

Fish Supper
'There aren't any fly-fishing police Julie, don't be daft.'