Christmas shopping finished

So, we have just sent off Christmas parcels to the UK today. Which feels kinda weird when you're having long evenings and sunny days.

Not that the days have been consistently sunny you understand. The last few days have been a weird mix of weather and yesterday there were storms across the top of the North Island. Big winds and power cuts no less. Not that it lasted long. The winds seem to whip up out of nowhere and disappear in the same manner.

We finally managed to go to Waitangi yesterday, which is only about 2 miles down the road from us. Waitangi is important as it is the site of the signing of the Waitangi Treaty, an agreement between Maori chiefs and the British crown which basically was the birth of New Zealand as a Nation.

Pretty good visit, amid the showers, and it ended up costing us nothing, since we live in Paihia (hey - we've been here 3 months!). :) Plus, we managed to 'accidentally' tag along near a tour group, so we got a free guided tour, including Maori hymns too.

Bought a two-burner, cast-iron camping stove for the bargain price of $19.99 (about 7 quid) today. Getting excited about the prospect of camping now, though it will be nice if the wind calms down a bit. Along with the tent I bought the other day and the sleeping bags we bought with us from the UK, we've picked up various free things along the way including the self-inflating matresses and a couple of blankets. Bring it on baby!