Trip to Lake Taupo

At Lake Taupo we stayed in a bach first near the Tongariro National Park. There are three active volcanos, Mount Tongariro, Mount Ruapahu and Mount Ngarohoe.

From Ruapahu

We lit fires on the beach by Lake Taupo. In the end mine was the best, but at first it was really bad.

From Taupo

Lake Taupo is enormous - it is a magma chamber that completely exploded 27 000 years ago - a giant caldera volcano.

Then we drove up and stayed at Taupo town in the Huka Falls Resort. We went to the AC Baths. They were so cool because you could swim outside and inside. There was even a rope swing into the water.

If you can't see the photos, try here.

From

Peter

life in nz-part 2

It's only 45 days till we go home. At the moment it is very rainy and there has been a lot of
thunder storms.I have had a really bad cough and sore throt.
Peter.

life in NZ - part 1

I am having a really good time.We have seen lots of volcanoes in fact we live next to one called Mount Albert.

I went on something called voyager1 at M.O.T.A.T where we went to the centre of the earth.

Beavers in New Zealand is called Keas and this is the chant:
give me a K, K K K
give me a E, E E E
give me a A, A A A
give me a KEA, KEA KEA KEA.

Hello Westbourne Beavers

Thanks for all your comments. Now let me answer them :


Hi Jamie,

I hope you're OK. My school in N.Z. is shorter because we get to stop in the afternoons.

I haven't seen volcanoes erupting yet but I am going to Rotorua tomorrow where there are lots of geyers and hot mudpools.

Hi Leo,
It's been rainy and sunny here. Instead of Beavers there is Keas - I have written about this in my other blog.The friendship challenge badge sounds cool, I hope you get it.

Hi Thomas
The volcano is not active but another volcano could erupt nearby at any time.There are 42 extinct volcanos in Auckland.

We don't have a swimming pool, we have an enormous trampoline instead. Our house is made of wood and it's a bungalow.

We don't have the Chicken Club any more, just the remains of the club house.

I got very cold this morning but sometimes it is sunny.

Love
Peter

Graeme and Barbara's Barbeque

I went to Graeme and Barbara's house. It was phenomenal. David and Amanda were there. It was very good because we had not seen them for a long time. There was a BBQ and we fed the fish! There was an enormous ball. We had lots of fun on it. It even rolled into the fish pond.

Holiday on the South Island

We drove to Milford Sound. The mountains were very beautiful. We sailed on a boat under a waterfall. We saw the captain's controls.

I have done 300 sums and lots of English.

We drove along the longest bridge in New Zealand.

A few days ago I had my thumb wrapped up in bandages because I had a really bad burn. I got it in a fire. I was picking up a stick, but there was a smouldering stick next to it.

The most amazing thing I have seen is the mountains because they look so beautiful.

I have enjoyed reading Captain Underpants because it is very very funny.

Peter

Claytons on the road - part 1

So today is the first day of our three week expedition to explore the South Island - and it is pouring with rain! Yesterday (Thursday) we left Auckland, returned our rental car, and flew down to Christchurch. The last day or so have been very humid in Auckland, and it was good to arrive to find slightly fresher conditions. Adam weed all over me on the plane, but fortunately all the poo had arrived earlier in the day.

We picked up our camper van, which is quite a large vehicle and so is interesting to drive. We made it to our first stopping point in Christchurch without incident, and we are gradually finding somewhere for all our stuff to go. The children slept (kind of) in the large space over the cab, which was very exciting and rather noisy. Hopefully they will be tireder tonight.

Today we are off to see the Antarctic centre in Christchurch, where there are penguins. Then we are off to find a campground away from the city, hopefully with some better weather.

Over and out.

Richard