Bus to Orewa and the end.

Well my last trip out of Auckland before I return was a well earned trip to Orewa with Chris and Becs to visit there charming friend Marty.

A lovely time was had by all as we consumed a delicious curry and went down the pub... The day before I had the opportunity to take part in a backpackers darts competition alongside 15 other highly trained individuals.... for those of you who have had the pleasure of playing darts against me you will realise that this is not where my talents reside.... but putting my lack of skills aside I was more than happy to come 5th overall and to win a 2 litre jug of export gold... it's quite sad - but for the last half hour I have been trying to sort out some work for when I get home to sort out the credit card issue so I expect I'll catch up with most of you at the weekend if all goes to plan. Looking forward to another few days on a plane - let's see if I can complete F Zero this time!!!

Thanks for reading this journal.

This is Ashley signing out from New Zealand for 2005.

Pointless Entry

Today I shall mainly be contemplating whether to spend the last of my money getting my photos developed over here where it's cheap(ish) - I'm looking at $160 to develop my films.... 65 squid in sterling.

Other than that I have been teaching guitar to a very nice bloke from Chicago (hopefully in exchange for a pint later on - fingers crossed) and I've eaten the last of my vegemite.... so a trip to the supermarket looks enevitable. The problem is I walk in the shop of dreams with just a short list of essentials and tend to emerge carrying far more than I need.... that I then try to tie to the back of my rucksack (tip - do not tie eggs to the back of your rucksack and proceed to squeeze into a crowded elevator). see you all soon.... glastonbury awaits....

Get your motor running....

Head out on the highway!

Hello, Just got back to Auckland after a few legendary days. Since leaving Piahia and the lovely Beach (where they filmed Endless Summer - did I mention that?!?) Nick and I drove on Ninety-mile beach (yes actually on the beach) it was great fun sitting in this little VW Golf zooming up the beach - the highlight of that adventure came when we realised after about 60Km that the only way off the beach was to drive up this little river/creek and then through the sand dunes.... we made it utilising a constant optimism in the face of 2 foot drops and deep river bits.... Then we headed on to one of the forrest national parks where (after arriving late and in total darkness) we managed to find the log cabin I had booked and get some well earned sleep!!! The cabin was another highlight being, and I quote, 'spacious but very spartan' now that I have fully come to realise how spartan a cabin can be I am grateful for my seemingly luxurious dorm room back in Auckland. Last night Chris and Becs, Nick and I all went out to the harbour bars in Auckland and had a great time strutting our moves to the sounds of the Vengaboys and Ricky Martin - It felt like we had gone back in time to school discos in '97! Anyway have to go for a shop to get my supplies to last me the next two weeks on a silly amount of cash!!! Watch this space for the 'Support Ashley' charity campaign.

See you all soon.... Bye!

Here comes the sun...

Hello

Sorry I've been a bit lazy with e-mails, texts and this journal over the last few weeks everyone!

I'm in Paihia at the moment, got here 2 days ago from Auckland where I stayed for a day from Taupo where I.... yes.... JUMPED OUT OF A PLANE... avec a parachute... fun fun fun (there we are... now you're all up-to-date). Paihia is gorgeous, staying right on the beach and they don't call this 'the winterless north' for nothing!! finally might be able to regain some of the tan I've lost over the last month!!! Have met a thoroughly nice chap called Nick who is letting me tag along to ninety-mile beach tonight and then on to Cape Reinga (the most north tip of NZ) tomorrow or possibly friday (I've lost track) anyways that'll be great fun fun fun! Planning on hitting the west coast at the weekend and splashing around in the (rather chilly) water with a newly aquired (5$) bodyboard... just hope I bump into some more friendly dolphins. Now I've started to realise that I've missed out lots of things in this journal through the last few months and as such would like a re-cap of the important events.... Am currently 4 times mini-golf champion, fell in the sea in Napier, massive road trip with Blair to taupo, rotorua, whakatane... um... lots of walks and waterfalls, paddled around in the sea, and have had a few more BBQs.... that's about it for the last 2 weeks but it's not a bad amount! I'm pretty sure I'm starting to babble now so I think it's time for me to go and sunbath -

I hope the Uk is hot enough so you are all catching a tan too. Take care!!