Day 63 - Daylight saving

Daylight saving goes on for a little longer over here, with dark evenings only needing to be endured for a five month period between early April and late September. The rest of the year, sights like this one at 7pm or later are commonplace, and as you'll have seen from many of the snaps on this blog, NZ does love a good sunset.

Day 62 - Suburban market days

Every so often in Auckland, suburban high streets like those of Remuera and Mount Eden are transformed into markets where shopkeepers and budding entrepreneurs can come and set up roadside stalls and take advantage of the guaranteed crowds. It's a great idea and brings energy and excitement to parts of the city that can often be fairly sedate.

Day 61 - The Birdcage

Despite being located right underneath a motorway bridge, the recently re-opened and refurbished Birdcage pub opposite Victoria Park is already proving a favourite spot for an after-work or lunchtime brew.

Day 60 - Twin Oak Drive

One of Cornwall Park's most striking features, Twin Oak Drive is a romanticised version of an English country boulevard that's a favourite with walkers and joggers. As a long and hot summer starts to turn cooler, and the leaves begin to brown and fall, Twin Oak Drive is a vivid reminder of how autumn can be nature's most striking season.

Day 59 - Mount Eden from Mount Hobson

... and here's Mount Eden from another angle, as viewed from the top of one of its neighbouring volcanic bumps, Mount Hobson, at dusk. Magical.

Day 58 - Mount Eden Village

Another of Auckland's urban 'villages', Mount Eden is another favourite for its great cafes (Olafs with its supreme baked goods and Frasers, which stays open till 11pm), dining scene (Michael Van De Elzen's excellent Molten), pubs (Monteith's bar The Cloakroom and the Belgium beer cafe De Poste) and shops (which include the pictured bookshop Time Out, one of the finest in Auckland). All this overlooked by the towering volcanic bump Mount Eden itself, which provides incredible 360 views over the city. What's not to like?

Day 57 - Walks along the beach

Much as I love Britain's rugged unkempt coastline, walks on white sand beaches under brilliant sunshine are not what it's about. They are what New Zealand's about though, and the two islands' seemingly infinite range of seaside beauty spots makes me feel like I'm on a permanent holiday.