Ultimate breakfast spot this morning (see pic above) on the quiet shores of Lake Taupo after a solid sleep. Our bodies were both feeling the effects of yesterday’s excursions so a slow breakfast followed by a quick dip, seemed an appropriate start to the day. After calling in at the Sir Edmond Hilary Outdoor Pursuits… Read more

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is one of New Zealand’s ‘Great Walks’ and possibly one of it’s busiest. It’s not exactly ‘alpine’ as we know it, but is certainly dramatic. The route hikes up through some impressive volcanic terrain, between two big volcanoes (one of which is still smoking and starred in the Lord of the… Read more

We’ve ventured out from the cosy confines of the Cambridge house and have come on a mini break to the Tongariro National Park, which is just south of Lake Taupo. It was a fairly uneventful drive (I was asleep for most of it), but we did pass through a wacky little town with lots of… Read more

Surfed the famous Manu Beach this afternoon. If you can catch them, and avoid all the other surfers, there’s the chance to ride a long left hand glassy wave. Dodging all the other surfers was certainly harder than the actual act of surfing the wave though! Clare had the best luck, and got some really… Read more

Saw my first penguin today. As well as a blue shark and loads of dolphins. We also went surfing (but not near the shark!). We left the house at 6am, to drive across to meet a boat at the harbour at Tauronga. The premise of the day was to go swimming with a pod of… Read more

Out of bed, into the shower then straight round to the next door neighbours, for a glass of new year champagne and strawberries! The barby was fully loaded by the time we got there and before long we were tucking into bacon, ham, sausage, eggs and pancakes – washed down with a few more bubbles!… Read more