Mar. 10 -- Avondale, Auckland

Hi, all:

Sorry I have been off-line. The power-cord on the Acer laptop that I use to process photos and write these blog entries died. I was down at the Billabong Pro surf competition in Whanghamata over the weekend, which was brilliant. I've got a zillion photos, which I will upload in a sec.

I am staying in Avondale at the only Motor Camp in urban Auckland. I got close to selling Rose today, but no dice. I got an offer of NZ$2200. I'd rather fill up a full tank of gas and push her off the cliffs out at Coromandel. Ha ha! If I can't get a fair price -- the market is really saturated -- then I will keep her here 'til next winter. My parents came to NZ last winter and had a horrible time (90% rain days); and I think the will need to give NZ a second chance. They'll be down in Aussie next winter at the same time I will be; The Rose Coach may once again be "the Coach with the Most."

I'm in SW Auckland, which is very much not white, and very interesting to check out. I'm meeting people from South Pacific Atolls, Tanzanians, Pakistanis...pretty interesting.

Tom