Wahey! Two weekends ago, we finally tackled the Great Walk that Joey'd latched onto the moment we arrived in NZ.

We've focused a bit more energy on the slideshow which has the best photos, so do have a peek...here.

Mount Tongariro is part of a short chain of volcanoes in the middle of the North Island. The crossing is reputedly one of the great walks of the world and we weren't disappointed. In the run up, we'd been given some truly terrible banter from the Dept of Conservation...crampons, ice-picks and Himalayan experience only. Needless to say we passed every glove and their puppet on top (and all shapes and sizes!!). Fortunately we did the walk back to front and hit 200 people for half an hour at mid-day.

Joey was in her element as Mnts Ruapehu and Ngaur...aohu are vaguely active...certainly overdue for some good eruptions. Last time they erupted, cars in Auckland were covered in ash. We'll actually be skiing on Mnt Ruapehu in a month or so, so we'll let you know if anything exciting happens.

'Muppet of the trip' award goes convincingly to...Phil. Funny now we look back on it, but at the time all quite traumatic. We arrived late and cold on the Friday night...down a long dark track to a small car-park hemmed in by tall menacing trees. In an attempt to keep as much heat in the car (that we were about to sleep in) as possible, Phil cunningly made Joey wait outside in the dark while he sorted out the bedding. After some ominous rustling and whistling in the trees, Joey knew some ghastly ambush was imminent and having beaten her way into the car, gave Phil the good peace of her mind that he deserved.

Now, if you haven't already done so, check out the slideshow, it's cool!!