We set off aiming to stop at Lake Taupo for our picnic, but there was a huge cycle race there on a par with the Tour de France and as crowds lined the streets cheering on the sweating riders there was nowhere for poor tourists to park to enjoy the lake. We explored some local falls then decided to go on to Rotorua where there is another lake and picnic in more peaceful conditions. After leaving there we were on route to our last Farmstead B&B when I upset the local mobile “fuzz” who clocked me at 119 kmph! “Did you not know the national speed  limit is 100 kmph, Sir?”

“Please don’t book me officer I am used to Europe where it’s 120kmph and we are leaving the country tomorrow”

Common sense prevailed and we had a good chat and parted on good terms without a ticket which was lucky. He said he knew I was a tourist as when he flagged me down I turned on the windscreen washers instead of the indicator, it being the “wrong way” round on our hired Datsun.

We drove on at a more sedate pace. Our last stop was at a very rural chestnut farm, run by an ex Yorkshire man and his American wife. They cooked an excellent dinner for us and two other Canadian guests and we had a super last evening only to be woken by what sounded like an air raid siren. Next morning it was explained to us that it was the only way of summoning the volunteer fire fighters, we were worried in case there was a forest fire and we were about to be burned in our beds.

That was it, an uneventful drive to Auckland airport next morning and a great flight to Bankok, too long at 11 hours then an overnight in a nearby hotel before flying home.

In summing up we had a wonderful time, we drove 4258 kilometres or in English, 2661 miles, probably too much in 14 days and we should have had three weeks to give more time for relaxation, fishing and golf. The scenery is wonderful so are the people though it does look as if they have a passion for well kept hedges, even out in the country where they are 15 or 20 feet high they all appear to be well pruned. One other thought, it’s a bit like England 20 or 30 years ago with many of the better aspects of what we had then in terms of politeness but we did notie that their toilet rolls are very thin, at least they have toilet paper not torn up copies of the Daily Mirror!

Until we go again, goodbye from World Travellers, Johnny & Sue. March 8 2010.