NZ - Auckland 13th - 20th November

Greg Says...We Arrived in Auckland, on Monday 13th, and settled into our'Luxery Appartment'. However there were a few things missing from it, which didn't leave the impression wthat this was too much of a 'luxery appartment'! However it was adequate, and extremely central to Auckland. We were close to Queen Street, which is the main shopping area, which please children, and I must admit it was quite nice to see the shops again......not for too long though!
Tuesday came along, and we met up with John Irwin, Hamish's father, who took us around Auckland. Had a nice drive to One tree hill although there is no longer a tree there, and then for a spot of lunc...........very pleasant. He also chaufferred us to the various Camper Van Sals Sites, which would have takn us ages if we hadhad to do this ourselves, as they were strewn throughout the city. Thanks John....you really helped us out.
That night went up the Sky tower, which I thought would be like any other tower, but it's awesome! As soon as you get out of the glass bottomed lift you have panoramic views straight down! I take my hat off to the bloke who designed this as it's brilliant. There are also windows in the flor that you can walk over, however that is easier said than done. Not sure why as these windos arejust as strong as the concrete flooring, but it is difficult to walk normally across them!
Wednesday was a bimbling day, although we did attend a free talk on 'walking in NZ' at a local outdoor shop. Interesting, but more interesting was the fact that I was plied with large glasses of wine.....they must have been warned that I like a drink now and again!
Thursday....John was a star again, not only did he show us around, but he took us to his home and fed and watered us. We had an excellent BBQ, with him and his wife. I managed to have a good look at my mate Hamish's international Rugby World Cup Qualifying shirt, which he wore against Denmark and Germany just before he died. Hat's off to you mate!
Friday....We met up with Jess a young girl that we ad met in Fiji....nice girl, who agreed to meet us in a pub.... Heaven for me! This pub was called the Shakespeare Arms, and looked like an English pub....it had it's own brewery on the premises, so I had to try a few of the beers didn't I! 5 or 6 beers later we headed home for a good nights kip! Thanks Jess for a nice evening. (By the way Peter Smith would like this pub, as the beer is excellent, although the barman is a Fulham supporter!)
Saturday....Trip to Hamilton....Went to theKiwi Centre to see, yes you've guessed it, Kiwi's. Interesting birds as they sleep for 20 hours a day, and then only come out at night to look for food. Therefore it's rare to see them in the wild. This place was great because it had a lot of the bird species from NZ, and a lot of which are now very rare, so having visitors helps to keep the species going from their donations etc. Saturday night we went to the World Rally Championship.....Fantastic, we were rubbing shoulders with Petter Solburg, Marcus Gronholm, and Valentino Rossi (yes he has put his motorbike down, and taken up rally driving). The children, and amazingly, Lucy enjoyed this. Lucy and Alistair watched as a car was rebuilt, with Lucy commenting on how interesting it was?!!
Sunday....ot up early, and watched the Swimming accross the harbour....there was a 2.8km race, which Alistair and I went to, we did have an ulterior motive.....there was an Irish bar where they were finishing, which just happened to be serving'Old Speckled Hen, and playing the Rugby live! So we had a few beers and watched the All Blacks beat France........Glorious!
Monday 20th.....Picked up the Campervan, and headed out to the hills! There's a great shop called the Warehouse where you can pick up cheap things, so we stopped on the way for provisions....Lucy and Rowena found many bargains in the houseware section, whereas Alistair and I got fantastic savings on a football and a a Rugby Ball! The future is looking bright!
That same day we got to an idyllic campsite at Shelly Beach, Helensville. As I writeI can hear the birds signing, and look out the back window of the van, and see the Harbour about 20 Feet away. The other side of the water is about a mile or so with a view of rolling hills unspoilt by Human Hand........Oh how lovely. I can see Rowena playing on the swing in the playpark, whilst Alistair and Lucyhave gone to the jetty to see how many fish have been caught(yesterday we have fresh Gurnard for tea.......fantastic. Well better go, asLucy will only complain I have been on here for too long! Bye for now