Well, I'm back in the north after a couple of weeks road-tripping around the country with a mate from Australia. And very fine it was too.

Highlights include: the road between Murupara and Waikeremoana (terrorist country for sure - one of those "100: it's not a target" signs was all shot up); Wellington bars (Mighty Mighty really is); Dansey's Pass (just do it - in summer only); most of the food and wine (best of the best were Relishes cafe in Wanaka and Barcelona in Christchurch); seals; and fly fishing on my favourite river.

Lowlights? Sorry Blenheim.

A few days on the Hokianga and it's back to work. Bugger.