Coromandel again!

So we decided to head back to one of our favourite places in New Zealand....COOKS BEACH!
Myself, Si, Jen and Sonia headed over on friday evening after work, stopped at a supermarket for supplies and arrived at Cooks beach at around 8pm. After chucking a few things on the BBQ we had a relatively chilled evening with a few glasses of wone.
The next day we headed over to Cathedral cove loaded with beach games and plenty of sunscreen. Spent the best part of the day chilling on the beach, playing games and swimming in the sea. Gem, James, Bea and Em joined us around 3.30pm after saving lives on the roads of NZ (they came across a motorcycle accident on the road) Spent another hour or so on the beach before heading back to Cooks beach to join Sonia who'd stayed back at the bach to work.
After getting back to the bach we all went down to Cooks beach with a few beers and had a lovely evening swim and chillout.
That night we had another BBQ before an alcohol fueled games evening.

Sunday we headed out and our 1st stop was at an amazingly picturesque vineyard, where we had a great wine tasting then over to Hahei to have a nice brunch followed by snorkelling at Gemstone bay. After snorkelling we chilled out on the beach together before heading back home.x

Fun in the Waikato region!

Our evening started with a quick nip over to Raglan to check out the surf. Got lucky this time and it was pretty good! Unfortunately we could only stay an hour as we had to get back to Hamilton as Gem, James and Bea were heading down to spend the weekend with me. Kicked the weekend off with a relaxing evening with a curry and a movie.

Saturday we had a leisurely start and then headed down to Te Kuiti to try climbing outdoors. Unfortunately Si was working so couldn't join us. Luckily we had 2 friends that are already climbers with their own gear that could show us the ropes (literally!) Turned out to be a fantastic day. Beautiful day, great company and a fantastic introduction to climbing (I even got a lead clmb in!)
Saturday evening we headed into town for a thai curry (2 curries in a row!!) then out for a few (too many) drinkies!

Sunday was again a leisurely start, but we finally got ourselves up and over to Raglan. After going for a nice brunch in town we headed to the beach to play games and have a surf. Unfortunately, due to the day being another scorcher we couldn't play our games on the sand as the black sand became burning hot - so we played in the sea instead - gutted!

Another great weekend,xxx

Waiheke

Somehow managed to not be working Friday evening which was great because it meant that I was free to head up to Auckland after work with Si and Fi to have another weekend away.Gem had arranged Friday eveing and we had a great night with a BBQ which turned into a great night out in Ponsenby, Auckland.

On Saturday we woke up feeling absolutely rotten, but considering we had booked accomodation on Waiheke (which we had to check into by 1pm) we had to get up and out. After having paracetamol, ibuprofen, juice and a shower and not feeling any better we realised this was gonna be a bad hangover day. So around 11am myself, Gem, Bea and Fi headed down to the wharf to catch the midday ferry to Waiheke, after feasting on an entirely needed Maccys we camped out on the top deck to see if the sea breeze helped.....it didn't!! After arriving on Waiheke we got a taxi (with a MENTAL) taxi driver to the hostel, where we dropped off our kit and headed straight to the beach, where we stayed ALL day! (bar myself and Bea going for a small shop and ice cream hunt). After monging on the beach we headed back to the hostel for a quick shower before heading out for dinner. Had a turkish dinner which was AMAZING and the wine went down surprisingly well!

Sunday we woke to an overcast day and headed into the small town/village for breakfast. While at breakfast the weather cleared up nicely and was soon clear skies and a scorcher. That sealed the deal for kayaking and we headed down to the kayak centre to hire a kayaks for a few hours. Absolutely stunning scenery, amazing coastline. Even got to pull up in a small bay and have a quick swim and a nice walk. After our kayak we headed back to the ferry to head back over to Auckland. We had a lovely fish BBQ before heading to our next activity, climbing. By 8.30pm I was suitably knackered and Fi and I headed back down to Hamilton.

Another FAB weekend.

Up North!

Friday night started in work with an evening shift. After finishing at 9pm I waited till Si finished at 11pm then headed up to Auckland to Gem's. We arrived around 12.30am ish and Gem arrived soon after, having finishing work at 1am. We had a quick catch up and then headed to bed.

Friday morning we awoke reasonably early and I headed over to the Airport to pick up Bea who had just arrived in New Zealand. From there we headed up north to Matakana/Goat Island for the weekend. Stopped off at Matakana 1st for a quick bite to eat and a mosey around the shops, then headed to the campsite to pitch our tent before heading to the beach for the rest of the afternoon. Managed to perfect (well, kinda) my skim boarding skill - thanks Tom and Loz, great pressy. That evening we went back to Matakana for dinner and then played some cranium back at the campsite (we ARE hardcore!)

Sunday we woke to an amazing day and headed off with our snorkel gear to check out the marine reserve. Despite the sea being REALLY cold, had a great time and saw loads of fishys. After snorlkelling we went for a nice lunch then headed to another beach for the rest of the afternoon where we played volleyball, rugby and a bit of frisbee.

After that we headed back to Auckland for a quick bite to eat before heading back home.
Thanks guys.x

Home

So going home started off with Awkward hassel with panic over my expiring passport, which turned out to absolutely fine which was annoying considering I paid for flights down to Wellington to sort it out.

The flight started off well, with a surprise cake from our travel agent then turned to chaos as we were unexpectedly called upon to give medical assistance to a sick passenger, IV access obtained, drugs given, 2 diverts cancelled and a confiscated bottle of champagne made up the rest of our journey home, needless to say we were happy when we arrived back....and to sunshine in Manchester!!!

The trip home was spent dotting between Manchester, Liverpool and Chester seeing some of my most favourite people.
A quick summary:

The first few days that I was home I spent with Mum and Dad, going for some nice meals and having some great days out in and around the Chester area, including spending a RIDICULOUS amount of money. I also managed to squeeze in a visit to see my grandma who is unfortunately very poorly in hospital :( hopefully on the mend now though.

The first weekend I was in Manchester with Tom, Lauren and Helen being spoilt by all things British, including the food and wine festival at Tatton, high tea at the lowry and walks around some of the amazing parks and the pride and predudice national park house.

The next week I was between Liverpool and Chester seeing Helen, Esther and Lucy as well as a few days with Mum and Si (bro) and Pip. Friday night I went back over to Liverpool for a Whiston reunion. Was amazing to see everyone again after so long, nice to know friendships dont change!

The final weekend was spent with Laura and Byron who came up to visit me which was amazing, I showed them a few of the Liverpool sights before heading out to meet up with the hockey girls. Cant say enough how amazing it was to see everyone again. Also, it was great to hear all about Esthers up coming wedding, which unfortunately I cant make it to!

So, all in all a very busy fortnight. Sorry to all those people I couldn't see, there were some definite big gaps and I hope that I can see you all next time I'm back, will try not to make it so brief!

Turangi

A last minute weekend plan, which turned out to be a great one. Found out that a few of the guys we've met from Auckland and Wellington were meeting in Turangi. Headed down late Friday night after finishing work and arrived at around midnight, just in time for a few drinks before bed. The next morning we awoke to a beautiful day and after having bacon butties on the balcony and making our sarnies in the sun we headed to the kayak centre, which happened to be a house with a small river at the back. After putting the kayaks in the river we started on our little kayak adventure to lake Taupo. Was so perfect, kayaking past fields and natural thermal pools and even people back yard. Was so serene, although slightly disturbed by the kayak water fights. On arriving at lake Taupo it seemed like a perfect place to pull up, have lunch and throw a rugby ball around. After lunch we had a reshuffle and Em and I shared a double kayak. Up till this point Gem had stayed nice and dry as she was carrying the lunch. We decided to get revenge and after attempting to capsize Gem's kayak, me and Em ended up in after her....oops!

After kayaking we decided to head to the hot pools to chill for a while. They were the hottest hot pools I've ever been in but a great way to chill out in the sun before heading back to the bach for our BBQ. That evening we decided to get incredibly drunk and play drinking games - think Gem came off worse!

Sunday was unfortunately miserable weather so we decided to head into Taurangi. Turns out there's not much to do in bad weather so we had a nice relaxed brunch and play a round of mini golf in the rain before heading back home.

Great weekend, thanks Di and Ash for organising it.x

Skiing and Rotorua

This weekend we decided to head down to the mountain. The sun was shining and the forcast good. Gem, Mum, Dad and Si (bro) had been on the South Island for the past week and weren't landing till around 7pm, so James headed down to Hamilton after work, and after picking Si (bf) up from work at 9pm we headed down to National Park (ski village) we all arrived together late Fri eve. After a drink and a catch up we decided to head to bed ready to get up about 6 hours later to head to the mountain.

Saturday was a beautiful day with the sun beating down - true spring conditions. Unfortunately it seemed the whole of the North Island had the same idea to head down and catch the last of the snow and it was really busy. Still, a great day and nice to ski with my bro again and pick up a few technique tips. After skiing we headed to the pub where we stayed for most of the evening, after being suitably tanked we headed back to the bach for a few more drinks and some games before bed.

Sunday we decided to head to rotorua, as Si wanted to see a bit more of NZ with us. So we took him to Rotorua. 1st stop kerosene creek natural geothermal hot springs with a nice picnic. After that we headed to Te Puia, the see the famous geysers, bubbling mud pools and steaming vents. After Te Puia we headed to the Zorb center where they finally allowed 3 in a zorb again. I made the slightly regretted decision to get in with the 2 Si's. Dont think I came off worst though after seeing the cracking bruise on bro's chest. Next we headed to the agroadventure centre where we achieved our ultimate goal - getting mum do to the 49m swoop with the 2 boys! Not sure she really knew what she was getting herself into - you should have seen her face on the close ups - classic.

After the adventure thrill we headed back to Hamilton, stopping briefly in Tirau, the home of the corrugated iron (everything made out of corrugated iron, including a shops in the shape of a large shhep and a large dog - little bit nuts). Once back in Hamilton, we went for a quick walk around the lake before heading into town for an AMAZING meal at one of our favorite restaurants.

This morning I headed to work but Si, Si, Mum and Dad headed over to Raglan for the morning before they headed over to the East coast for some wine tasting.

Great weekend!