Auckland

NZ time ....31/12 ..16.00

Rained hard last night, so stayed in hotel to eat, along with a glass of NZ wine (or two!). We both slept well and feel acclimatised already.

Our hotel is behind the cruise ship, which came in last night.

Raining again this morning, but decided to brave it. Walked to Parnell district (very pleasant) and had brunch there. Got a bus around city to return to the harbour. Believe it or not, by this time weather greatly improved so we took the ferry over Devonport, a lovely suburb across the bay with blue skies! Walked to top of Mt Victoria for view back across to the city, then found a bar to sit outside having a beer.

Coincidences do happen....another couple came and sat at our table and we chatted for quite a while...they had emigrated about 7 years ago from Yorkshire and had a brother living in Middlestown, the small Yorkshire village where Mike was born, and they had been there too.

Just back to the hotel to rest before this evening's action. Hope to eat at the Harbourside restaurant and then join local festivities somewhere.