NZ.

The wireless here is poor to say the least so will write what I can and hope it reaches you all. Have tried with Skype but no luck. Not sure if the signal is strong enough.
This is a beautiful place, it was named well by the early settlers, 'Bay of Plenty'. I will tell you stuff at random as I remember it.
I have tried to download an album of pics onto facebook but only 5 have downloaded.
We had a lovely drive down from Auckland, scenery beautiful with shades of Derbyshire. Roads easy to drive on. 2 lane highways, lorry drivers courteous, they pull in to let you overtake. The lanes go into 2 lanes every so often to let you overtake as well.
Our rental car is a toyota with sliding back doors, it is over 6 yrs old but very clean and well maintained.
It took us about 3hrs to drive here. We are across from the beach in a lovely studio apt.
This is a world class beach where they hold International Beach Volley ball championships and surfing championships. It is all pretty stunning. Litter free, sand dunes tastefully roped off, a board walk, benches in appropriate places. The beach is full of shells. We saw a man who had a line into the sea, laid on the sand. He had lines hanging from it. he was pulling it in and he had two good size fish on it, all whilst he sat on the beach.
There is a walk around the base of the mount and a walk to the top,in a circular route. We have done the walk around the bottom so far.
Restaurants are good and we have eaten some lovely food so far.
We are going to Rotoreau tomorrow morning it is about 40mins away.
People here look much more fit and healthy than both Aus and the UK.
Have to go to bed as we are up early tomorrow.
Hope this publishes.
night all.