The first stop on our trip: Otaki, we arrived at Al's parent's place for a short time so out came the camera from it's new shiney aluminium case - California Poppies.

Yellow Tulips

California Poppy again.

Red edged yellow Tulips surrounded by Pansies

More yellow Tulips

White Tulips close to the edge of the pond which was full of water lillies.

The second stop: Hastings at Al's sisters place for a couple of days hanging out with Griffen, Craig and Juliet - Hydranger type flowers

Hydranger leaves

Nope, no idea

Tiny white flowers

Thingie in a tree

Leaving Hastings on our way to the Napier to Taupo road, we stop to check out the sea. Beach close to port Gisborne

A beach close to port Gisborne covered in California poppies.

After planting Acorns here and there along the Napier to Taupo road, Al and I stop to check out this stream / river

A shot further up the stream.

A slight diversion while on the way to Taupo. Al and I plant about 1200 acorns along this forrestly road. Just think in a year or two, there might be a few trees here. Dont worry the trees were planted along the roadside so they won't effect the pine plantation. The place was so barron! Just stumps.

We finially make it to Taupo after our planting mission planting. Getting a view of lake Taupo while at a rest stop, pitty the mountain was covered in clouds, you can hardly see it in the background. This was taken using a 28mm lens.

Time for some relaxation. Al and I check out the thermal pools in the area were we found this amazingly friendly doggie. Now we're off to find a camp site.

Al and I standing at the top of an observation tower about 4 meters off the ground in the upper hils of Taupo. You'd have no idea of it, but the background was full of dense bush. Check out Al's hair! It was getting late - now we REALLY have to find a camp site.

While driving around we lucked out and found a campsite for the night. It was right next to a small automated hydro power station with an area of grass and huge trees. The river powering the station was reasonably low. Chef Al making dinner - huge bacon sandwiches. Go he bacon!

The fire pit! Step 1, dig a large hole. Step 2, line the hole with rocks. Step 3, fill the hole with tons-o-pine cones (collected after planting acorns on that forrestry road). Step 4, cover in meths. and step 5 the most in portant step of all, matches! - We made the fire pit close to the river.

After havigng a great dinner of huge bacon sandwiches and red wine, here we find Al chilling out in front of the fire. Remember: drinking too much red wine makes you want to talk into the big white telephone, or in this case the big wide ditch!

Close up of the fire. So warm! In fact it was hot enough to melt glass!

Taken with the snappy camera, I wasn't sure if this pic was going to turn out or not.

The campsite the next morning. We slept on the tent after dinner as it was great night. But had to put it up at about 3am after noticing it had was begining to rain. The camp site the next morning, the tent behind the car. As you can see the tree near the car was MASSIVE! - Now we're off home.