Hello again

Hi there.

First of all an apology for the delays in updating the Blog..it has certainly been an eventful few days.

We left Rotorua on the 7th after a spot of Zorbing in the Morning. Zorbing basically involves jumping into a giant plastic ball which is then partly filled with water and then launched down a hill, the effect is a bit like being in a really mental water slide and is great fun.

After that we headed west to Whakatane,a small village on the coast, the weather was again fantastic and Aoifa enjoyed a day on one of the beautiful local beach while I took a crusie out to White Island, a volcanic island 20 k off the coast. That was a great experience and the high points were getting the chance to swm in the sea just off the Island (although I didn't stay there too long once I discovered that the bay next to us was called shark bay) and the numerous schools of dolphins which swma alongside the boat on our Journey to and from the island.

From then we headed on to Gisborne for few days (including my Birthday).

Now it's fair to stay that Gisborne is maybe not the most apt Town for a celebration (think Grangemouth when the sun shines). Our lodgings were pretty awful (A Motel which shared abuilding and, sadly, its toilets with a Chinese Restauarant.

On my Birthday itself we headed of to the beach for a days sunbathing..sadly when we returned to the Motel we discovered that an uninivited guest had beaten us back and had broken in.

Unfortunately Aoifa fared rather worse than myself losing her Mobile, her I-pod, her Nintendo DS and an irreplacable item of Family Jewellery which has huge sentimental value.

He also took from me a Samsonite bag (which actually belonged to my Dad) a mobile (which actually belongs to Eric - sorry guys) and a really manky, old cheap pair of trainers so we are clearly looking for a very disturbed Burglar with a weird foot fetish.

The Motel staff could not have been nicer to us and the Police came round and took photos. As they left one of the Officers turned to me and said "Oh, Happy Birthday by the way". Joker.

I am plesaed to report that we did not let the incident ruin our Day and managed to have a lovely night out in Gisborne (despite the Monsoon weather).

We have now arived in Napier ( far nicer Town and a Motel..I am happy to report) and am delighted to discover that the Jambos have thrashed Hibs ion the 1st rnd of the Cup.

Take care and we'll be in touch soon.

ps Congratulations to Dagsy and Jenny who gave Birth to a Beautiful (or at least we are told she is beautiful which can only mean thankfully, that she loks like her Mother) Baby Girl, Amy Jane a few days ago.