I am sitting writing this blog by the side of Lake Taupo. We are spending all day slowly travelling around this huge lake.

It is the largest natural lake in Australasia and is contained within a huge ancient volcano. All round the lake are small volcanoes and thermal pools and steaming hillsides. It is amazing.

It is windy today and there are small waves on the lake. The black swans are being bounced up and down. I can see huge white cliffs and rounded hills formed by volcano deposits.

There are only 3 main towns around the lake…. Taupo, Kinloch and Turangi where we are based. The largest volcanoes are Mt Ruapehu, Mt Ngauruhue, Mt Tongariro, Mt Pihanga, Mt Tauhara. The national forest surrounds the area and it is on the great NewZealand Plateau. It is spectacular volcanic scenery full of native forests,bush walks and ski areas, thermal pools and waterfalls.

The Maori heritage is very much in evidence throughout this area. The whole area is very significant to the Maori.

We have just had a bit of excitement! we turned down a lane towards the lake when we saw 4 large horses running quickly towards us on the road. They slowed down before they reached us as there was a field of horses on our right and they were all excited too. 2 4 wheel drive cars managed to stop them and encourage them to return eventually to their field. Naughty horses!!

Anyway hope you like my photos. Tomorrow we travel to Tauranga via Rotorua , right across the plateau and to the sea. We will see lots of beautiful scenery on the way and intend to take it slowly stopping where we can at view points