The lost flip flop

Taking it easy has been the agenda for the last week. We've sketched out a north island route which will take us up the east side of the north, through Auckland and back down the west side in time for the world premier of the Hobbit in Wellington on the 28th of November. For the week around the premier the city will be renamed as
the Middle of Middle Earth. Click here to read more about the city's plans.

We also took some time out to watch all 3 lord of the rings films this week. The last time we saw them we would have been about 13 or 14 so too be honest it was almost like watching them for the first time. Makes a little more sense the second time round and they are pretty immense movies. Felt a little different watching it in the land where it's all made, and throughout the movies I was constantly googling all the set locations, most of which you can actually visit including the cliff top where the city of Rohan was constructed, the mountain that was used for mount doom and also the location of Isenguard. We will be sure to schedule them into our routes where we can.

Took a trip out on the kayaks during the week. Launched them off the pathways into the sea which was at high tide. I had washed ah most of the bank due to strong weather and as you jumped in you we're forced to immediately start paddling out into the waves or face being turned over as they crash against the bank. In the melee....I lost a flip flop. I stared at it, reached out as it floated away and screamed "WILSON!!!", but it was no use. T save it I would have had to abandon ship and risk near certain embarrassment of scrambling around with an upside down kayak in the knee deep water. I kept my dignity in tact and gave the flip flop to the sea. What the sea wants the sea shall have.

All blacks take on the Ozzies tonight in about an hour. Always a punch up and drenched with commitment. Totally forgotten about those overpaid, diving whinge-bags we call footballers. Stick that ashley cole, john terry and those Serbian scumbags in front of Mr McCaw and his buddies...see how they get on then!!!