Saturday

We were up a bit late this morning and so didn't get Totty out until about 10.00 and it was really warm and she really doesn't like the heat and will stop under most trees for a rest! The walk can take a long time!

We thought we would give the beach a try today - our first time. We went to a local beach about ten minutes by car between the Mount and Papamoa. There weren't many people on the beach and the sand is lovely, fine and white. We gave ourselves two hours as the sun is so strong we thought that would be enough to start. It was lovely just lying in the sun and knowing that we had all the time in the world to get a tan or not however we feel. The two hours were more than enough and Jon realised when we got back to the house that he had not creamed his legs!!!!! They are a bit sore!!. We bought sun cream yesterday and the only SPF you can buy here is 30+, we now know why.

After we had showered and had lunch we stayed indoors as it was really hot. Later in the afternoon we went out looking for the tip. Over the four weeks we have been here we have accumulated quite a few beer bottles and really needed to get rid of them. We could have been in a tip in the UK, it as just the same but with a very happy workman telling us where to put things.

We then took a drive out to see the kennels were Totty is going on Monday. It looks fine so I feel reassured.

We then went to the Aussie Butcher to buy some meat and were very glad to get back to the cool of the house.

We waited till 6.30 before taking Totty out as it was still so hot. We went over to Waipuna Park again as there are lots of trees and shade. We didn't see anyone at all in the park.

We came back and had a lovely dinner of lamb stuffed with cream cheese and spinach yummy! We sat out on the deck and the temperature was still in the mid 20s at 11.00. I hope it is like this on the South Island next week.

We had a Skype call to our friends Mary and Roger until 1.40am, our time. It was really good talking with them and seems very harsh for all you people back in the UK to have such awful weather while we are enjoying one of NZ best summers for years.

Must put some cream on the mozzie bites on the soles of my feet before I go to bed tonight - they drive me mad!!