The organist librarian

Drove back to Auckland on the day of the dolphin watching and Hole in the Rock cruise. Stop at Whangarai. Back at Crowne Plaza - drinks reception so had champagne spoke to sous chef from Birmingham and service was a bit quicker! Relieved that Malcolm and co are all OK the news from Christchurch just gets worse every day. Mount Eden fantastic views of Auckland, coffee stop at Huntley. Waitomo Glowworm caves were brilliant - went through in silence on a boat. Sang Away in a manger in cathedral cave. Lunch at Otorohanga. To Rotorua and to Maori hangi with fantastic haka show and excellent food. Ecothermal tour with excellent Maori guide to see geysers and thermal activity. On duck tour to 3 lakes which was fun. Picked up at 3 p.m. by Judy and taken to farm homestead. Tour of garden and Norman drove us round the farm. Excellent dinner. Unfortunately Louisa and Peter came too and dominated the conversation. Music was mentioned but no chance to play the piano. Up early for breakfast and left...

Checked out of Copthorne hotel and boat to Russell and then saw a large pod of dolphins. The Hole in the Rock was exciting but the swell was too great for the the large boat to go through. We then stopped on an island for food and I had a swim. Back to the coach where we were reunited with those who had done the overnight cruise. Drove to Auckland. Back at Crowne Plaza hotel and Gaspar decided not to come as due at hospital the next day. Appalling news from Christchurch of the earthquake. Very worried about Malcolm and family. Walked into a drinks reception when we went for dinner so had champagne and chatted to sous chef Stephen from Birmingham. Had delicius duck patilla and lamb. Wednesday to Mount Eden for fabulous views of the city. Spoke to Josie and all is well wiht the family but their house is broken. The cathedrals are badly damaged. To Waikoto caves and sun came out. Lovely formations and we sang "Away in a manger" in the cathedral cave. On boat to see glowworms whi...