As we have already mentioned the beast (our car) we felt it necesary to include a photo and there is one of my work vechicle and our house, as you'll see they certainly feel different to drive. For all you mercia runners there are a couple of photos of tom doing the king of the mountain race (7th overall) unfortunately not wearing the vest (I brought mine but suffive to say it was a bit snug on tom making him look a little camp!). There are also a few photos from the kiwi house in otorhanga- unfortunately no kiwis as I couldn't photo them as they are nocturnal- although there is a pukeko which NZ has quite a lot of but they are pretty cool. You may not agree but dad might- I'm sure you will be a ble to identify them too.

Just a quick update, we went to a rodea the other day, first one in Te Kuiti for years. Started off with some young bulls but progressed to some serious looking bulls by the end. Most seem to go away unscathed although I'm sure pretty sore the next day. One guy got seriously injured as they wrap the rope around their hands when their riding meaning you can get caught up after you've fallen off. Basically being dragged around by a 1 tonne bull by your arm leading to dislocated shoulder I reckon in this instance. Also it is kitten season here so there are a few photos of Vickis (nurse) hand reared - 4-5 week old kittens- very cute.

Forgot to mention the interesting fact (well this may only be interesting to the geeks out there). The natural bridge photo doesn't show stalatites/mites but infact epitrophic speleotherms hanging off the roof.

Last weekends adventures in kawhia ocean beach digging a thermal bath and marakopa natural bridge and falls. Also climbing at marakewa reserve. Some interesting stories which I feel you wouldn't get happening in the uk, there was a dead rabbit throwing contest interestingly won by a German tourist. Also a man trimming the top of his hedge on a ride on mower lowered down off a crane. More updates coming soon.

Just a quick update, this was last weekend (7-8/11/09). We managed to catch the last of the snowboarding having bought boards a few weekends ago in the sales. Also went climbing at Whanganui bay (lake Taupo) which was very picturesque despite the slightly daunting mud track which we had to drive down to get there. I have also included the big carrot at the entrance to okahune.

A mixture of photos of various things in New Zealand. Including rainbow from our house, Leitchs clearing (a tramp nearby), Waitanguru falls and Mt Ruapehu in the distance.

Hi,

This is Naomi and Toms blog, a little late in starting but hey thats life. We arrived in New Zealand on the 9th of October after doing a lot of driving round the UK visiting. After a couple of days in Hamilton we headed down to small township of PioPio where I was to start work. Typically a mixed farming area and if you thought Shropshire was hilly this place would be classed as mountainous.