Well I guess this is my last post – having had two months looking after this page and updating you on my solo adventures, I’ll be handing the reins back to petal who has finally made it back to New Zealand……which is nice! 
Having said that, I will be monitoring the situation and will return if the readership appears to be falling or if my audience demands more! 
I guess there is a little gap for me to fill you all in on since my last update before I go – it’s been a busy few weeks with rock and roll, leather and willow, parties and of course more Saturday morning dives and Sunday walks and bike rides.
The rock and roll comprising a quite drunken Friday night out to see a New Zealand band called Pluto – you may be hearing from them soon but they are well worth a listen (downloads on www.pluto.net.nz/media.html )and put on a good show before we joined them backstage for after show drinks. Not quite as grand as it sounds – backstage comprising the old toilets with a tatty old sofa and a 12 pack of Heineken!
Next came the leather and willow when Australia came to Wellington to play New Zealand – the previous game had ended in an embarrassing defeat for New Zealand and when Australia scored 330ish with 150 from Andrew Symonds, it looked like it was going to be repeated. It turned out to be one of the best one day games I’ve seen, with New Zealand finishing just 2 runs short with 2 balls left – they made up for it in Christchurch a few days later though. I think its fair to say the locals aren’t particularly fond of Brett Lee judging by the chants around the ground everytime he ran in to bowl 
– an excellent day and night of cricket though....
Although there is a major lack of Christmas around Wellington, with no Christmas tree or lights on show in the city, Christmas party season as started. I had high hopes of the work Christmas party being in baking sunshine on the harbour front by the yachts – however it turned out to be ‘real’ Christmas weather with fog, rain and cold winds....
Another good night though and the official party.....
.....was followed by the unofficial party with some friends from work – as you can see the British can handle the beer much better than the kiwi’s (but don’t tell the guy in the middle I said that!!!
Anyway I will leave you with a few other pictures of my weekend adventures.
This is Waihoine Gorge...
Not many great views from here due to the trees.....
But some nice streams.....
And Christie tells me she is keen to go although I have my doubts as this is the only way in and out....
....we’ll keep you posted on that one! 
This is a view along Wellington’s South coast from when I went for a walk to see the seals. The seals weren’t home so I went to explore the hills. You can just about see the island of Island Bay where I (whoops – we!!!) live about four bays along and the entrance to Wellington Harbour in the distance – pretty impressive considering the city centre is five minutes drive from Island Bay....
..and finally this is the local mountain bike park at Makara Peak – I have just clocked up 500 miles on my bike since arriving in New Zealand....
……and you can just about make out from the sign here at Makara summit – its about 28,000km to Coed y Brenin in Wales....
So anyway – even though you are 28,000km away, we’ll be thinking of you at Christmas and hoping you are having a great time and looking forward to seeing you soon.....but not too soon - there's still plenty more to see!!!!
In the words of Slade - Merry Christmas Everybody 
Alan and Christie x