Introducing Dougie!

So we are STILL here in Auckland but we haven't been idle. We've been super busy researching, planning and plotting to find a suitable set of wheels to be our home to take us on our journey around New Zealand. It would have been much easier if it were just the two of us but with two small ones to consider the task has been much harder. In fact is has been pretty difficult and stressful with lots of head-scratching and frustration. But hopefully by the end of the week we will be on the road! (and the boys can come too).

So here's a summary of what's happened:

We spent ages searching on TradeMe for a suitable motorhome and after a few disappointments (and with vans getting snapped up quickly), we found a van to go and view. But it was a 3hr drive away south to Tauranga (on the coast). We hired a car (from Rent-a-Dent!) and set off down highway 1. After leaving Auckland, the 'highway' turned into a much smaller single lane road with little traffic. Sam picked a beautiful spot to need a wee, the Karangahake Gorge.

We eventually made it to Doug and Trish's home in avocado country and were introduced to their 1985 Daihatsu Delta motorhome. An old bird but well loved and good condition, on the inside anyway (we are not mechanics). We made a deal, left a deposit with plans to arrange payment and collect a few days later.

We had time to spend a few hours in Tauranga, the home of NZ children's author Lindsey Dodd, famous for her Hairy MacClary books. We ate delicious fish and chips at the famous Bobby's fish market, before heading home to Auckland.

Between waiting for payment to clear for the van, child car seat purchasing, seatbelt installation researching, insurance etc (yawn) we have tried to do fun stuff too. We took a ferry to Devonport, a short trip across the bay to a beach. It was a sunny but windy day and we ended up going to the Navy museum where we were fortunate enough to chance upon the British Royal Marines military band playing there for the 75th anniversary of the NZ navy. We also met up with friends Jonny and Sam (living in NZ) for a few evening beers and catch up.

Other things we've been up to

Pottered down the K road
Bought some bargain toys for the boys from thrifty shops (Sam super pleased with his lawnmover)
Ali had a fantastic day out with the boys at the Museum of Transport and Technology while Jonny made the trip back down to Tauranga to pick up the van - a 3,5 hr, 7,40am bus journey made back to Doug and Trish's house, where worryingly, I found Doug under the van fixing a last minute problem...

Today we've had a lovely day looking round the art gallery in central Auckland anc watching the Lego Christmas tree being constructed in the main square with the hot sun beating down.

Dougie the campervan after the trip back to Auckland.