And the rain came tumbling down

Which is just as well really being as I forgot the usual delay required for sun to fully take effect. We've had worse but suffice it to say my shoulders are sore and Martyn looks like a panda again as he has pink cheeks and White marks where his sunglasses were.

Apparently there is a cyclone on it's way here. I am seriously not exaggerating when I say it has rained for 14 hours so far without stopping. The campsite man has given us his most sheltered spot with the comment "it moight git a bit windy loiter on" (I have tried to type to take account of the accent for you).

Rain hampered sight seeing somewhat today but here is the run down..... Head off from campsite in Russell at 9 ish just as the rain really starts. Catch car ferry across bay of islands to Pahia . Cross bridge to Waitangi and see Treaty house, waka etc and do a bit of cultural stuff very interesting and nice to see where treaty of waitanga was signed. Watch Maori presentation which was worryingly a participation event but it was okay. All I had to do was swing a ball on a rope around a bit. Martyn had to demonstrate his ability at the Haka - he said it was quite nice to stick his Tongue out and pull faces and be allowed to - I said it didn't seem any different to normal!

Drive to pretty waterfalls called Hararu falls to take piccy. Check out guidebook for things to do - first line for this area says "pray for fine weather" doesn't bode well a the windscreen wipers were on fast and the demister was on full at that point.

Decide we are not walking or going on boat trip or kayaking or diving today (well not unless we need a boat to get to the toilet block anyway) so just drive stopping at a few craft shops in Kerikeri and the oldest stone building in NZ (looked like it belonged in the Lake District) and end up at the base of 90 mile beach in our nice sheltered spot.

Have just poked head out door to see about running to loo, might need boat after all a our campervan appears to have moat!