I am still in Auckland and now I have my driving licence so I can actively pursue the purchase of an old banger to drive around in. I have never been downunder over the festive season and despite the better efforts of the retailers here it really does n’t feel like xmas, particuarly on a hot sunny day like today!

The site has been having a few issues and has not always been working so I am urging people to let me know via this Forum thread if the site becomes unavailable.

I am staying in a really friendly hostel and have already organised Christmas and New Years with some other people. Christmas is likely to be back in Auckland and New Years in the stunning Bay of Islands. I love NZ!