Another few days have gone by...

We took an incredible hike on Waiheke's nature reserve with Brian and Roni Griffiths (Robin is one of Keith's second cousin) and saw the most amazings trees, birds, ferns, and scenery. Every where we look is simply gorgeous. I'll try agin for pics tomorrow. We also swam and swam, ate and ate... We met Simon, Stacey and Alina, Brian and RObin's son, daughter-in law and grand-daughter.

We did a night hike to see glow worms, Weta bug, and heard Ruru owls calling.

Todays was mostly spent returning to the mainland, the driving to Hamilton to Richard's and Rosie's - Richard is another Bentley, second cousing to Keith.

We are on our second day in this extraordinary country. After a fantastic 11 hour long night sleep in the lower level bedroom at the Bold's in Auckland, we awoke to the sounds of birds, and the smell of NZ 'cowboy coffee'.

Keith being a bit under the weather, we left, only the Plati-Oldhams, to take the 20-min ferry to Waheke Island. It was a splendid trip on this sunny windy day. We were greeted on the island by cousin Robin (Rosemary's sister) and Brian, both retired teacher and school principal. Their house, right on the beach, is a true paradise. We took a LONG walk in the nature reserve, swam in the ocean, collected shells... It doesn't get much better than this.

I am trying to attach 3 of Mike's pics - I hope this works!

They should be - Fantail bird, beach, and kids...