Part two in a series of 'diversions on the way to our campsites' was Whangerai (pronounced Fong-er-ay - all the people in the City are so impressed I know how to say it...who says local radio doesn't serve a purpose...?) Falls - a big waterfall, described as the most picteresque in New Zealand. They were nice enough although the river below was a horrid chocolate brown colour, reminiscent of Willa Wonka's chocolate river, due to the run-off from the rain.

Our telly has blown up - it gave up the ghost last night after 1 whole evening's useage. There was a smell of burning plastic, a puff of smoke, some flames and then (thank God) it all subsided leaving a useless piece of electronics. We've been in today and got our money back. Today is the Craft Fair that we heard advertised on local radio (we've got no telly remember so it's our only form of entertainment now...). We're a bit worried as there are no adverts for it anywhere, no posters, nothing. It'll be awful and I'd bet my last dollar on that much. We've booked in for a days diving tomorrow but if the weather stays like it is now (cold, wet, foggy, windy) it'll probably just be an hour or so on a boat...

Rachel and Sandeep (Jen's brother and her boyfriend) have booked flights to join us all in Spain for New Year so it'll be me, Jen, my Mum and Ken, my brother and Rachel and Sandeep. Should be great fun, although it'll be near the end of the trip we're really looking forward to it.