Waipukurau, New Zealand

Saturday and Sunday, 1 and 2 February 2008

Poor Marian and John, our hosts at Wanaka, haven't managed to shake us! Their campervan stalkers strike again and they put up with us for one more night at their gorgeous home in Waipukurau. It's John's birthday and their friends Chris, Joy, Lincoln and Zoe (and baby Finn) are invited to dinner. As ever the food is fantastic (a respite for our tastebuds which have had to put up with some fairly atrocious attempts at pancakes and omelettes over the last week - our van has everything except a frying pan with teflon!). The evening's entertainment also includes an enchanting rendition of "Daisy" by Marian on the piano accordion. Next morning we get in a game of golf at the local course. Dara's game is obviously not up to much as Marian asks him, after one particularly limp shot, "does your husband play golf as well?" Afterwards we meet up in North Havelock with Marian's daughter Philippa for a tasty lunch at the Black Barn and a tour of the area. Hopefully we will get a chance to repay all of this hospitality some time when Marian and John visit Ireland.