So you really think I'm coming home....

This weekend was labour day weekend, a celebration of the eight-hour working day (how ironic that you celebrate it by not working!) It also happened to coincide with Simon's birthday.... and the result was the best weekend in New Zealand so far!!

We headed up to Cook's beach on the Coromandel peninsula (the 1st landing of both the Maori's and Captain Cook) where I had rented out a bach on the beach front for 10 people. Friday night was spent in awe of the place I'd managed to find and a few cheeky beers.

Saturday we decided to do a bit of a beach tour, starting at Cathedral Cove, an AMAZING beach on the east side of the Coromandel with a beach to rival the Caribbean. Stunning white sandy beach with arches carved out of the lava/pumice cliffs (Mum, hope you're proud that I was paying attention to the Geology!) Went swimming/played volleyball/rugby.....brilliant! Then we headed off to hot water beach where there are hot springs lying just under the sand. If you use a spade you can dig down and sit in your own little hot tub, weird, but cool (well, bloody hot!) That evening we had a few more games of volleyball on own little beach with a few beers in the sun, followed by a slightly drunken BBQ (our 1st on in NZ)

Sunday we had booked to go on a sea kayaking adventure. A day tour around the Coromandel coastline - stunning and a great day, if a little knackering. We had another BBQ that night, but it was a little more chilled due to the sheer exhaustion of the day.

Monday (bank holiday) we went in search of some surf, after a while we realised we were on the wrong coastline and decided to go for a nice walk instead.

Fantastic weekend - So much more I wanna do there. Hopefully back for Christmas.

Hope all is good back home.xx

Taranaki

Wilke's pools, Mt Taranaki

Little bit wet

Katie, me, Charlie

Mt Taranaki

My favourite beach, White cliffs


After my week of recuperation a group of us all headed down to New Plymouth and Mt Taranaki for the weekend.
Before heading down, Si and I made a quick trip to Mt Perongia, the largest in Waikato (our home region) to try out one of the walks in my new walks of New Zealand book. Was a really pretty walk and went through one of the thick forests in the region.

On Friday night we headed down to Mt Taranaki and got caught in a MASSIVE storm on the way down - like a true tropical storm, after arriving we got some food, had a few drinks and played a good game of the big taboo (love that game)
The next day wasn't forecast for good weather so we thought a walk to the mountain seemed like a good idea. After getting caught in hail storms, torrential downpour and felled trees - we realised that it may not have been the wisest one, but a fun one all the same.
Went for a lovely meal and drinks in the evening (anyone ever played who's line is it - most frustrating game EVER!!)

Sunday looked more promising - although the day started with rain, soon cleared up into a lovely day. So decided to hit the surf. After a pretty shaky start I soon got back into it.

Headed home after amazing fish and chips on the beach.

On the way home - decided to detour down to the white cliffs - now my favourite beach in New Zealand - absolutely breathtaking!! (loving the black sand)

For more photos see my facebook page

Off to the Coromandel with a group of 12 next weekend for Si's birthday and the long weekend.....whoop whoop!!

Sorry about the delay

(can you see the pain in my face on this last pic.....ow)


Sorry I haven't posted for 2 weeks.

Well, last week was pretty unexciting, spending the week doing night shifts. Although, I still managed to fit in some pre and post nights surfing and nice meals out as well as buying myself a wetsuit and chopping my hair off.

Played my 1st game of hockey in NZ during that week. We have put together a mixed hockey team and have entered a summer league - all just for fun really. We seem to have some pretty good players on our side, we just need to learn to play together, oh, and get a goalie. Unfortunately we were defeated (to no real surprise).

This weekend was probably the most eventful. I spent Saturday in Auckland with some friends. We went to see Mamma Mia at the theatre and also fit in some shopping.

Sunday, I headed out to the beach for some more surfing. That was when I had my accident, after falling off the surfboard I got struck in the throat by it as I lifted my head out the water. Was all pretty scary - basically ended up with me being admitted to hospital Sunday night after my throat started to close off. Still pretty sore and husky - had quite alot of swelling and bleeding around my vocal cords. Am now off work on strict vocal rest (yea, thats not going too well) But now on the mend. I have to thank Gem's skype diagnosis, may not be here now otherwise!

So, drama over - plan to get back into the surf asap.

Have had a few ideas as to how to spend the next few weekends - will let you know how it goes.

Love to you all.xx