Day 56 - Fishing

I can't claim to be any kind of fishing expert (my handling of a fishing rod was once described politely as 'unorthodox'), but the few occasions I have been out on the water in New Zealand have been some of the most enjoyable and relaxing of my time here. I even caught an actual fish once, which should buy me at least a degree of credibility from my Kiwi colleagues.

Day 55 - L&P

I've never been the biggest fan of soft drinks, but the light and refreshing Lemon & Paeroa, whose bottles and cans proudly - and quite accurately - proclaim it to be 'world famous... in New Zealand', is perfect as a summer's day thirst-quencher.

Day 54 - Bees

Like sheep, bees are a more common sight in New Zealand than they are back home, but still bee populations here are declining at an alarming rate. Beekeeping as well seems to be something of a dying art, so it's heartening when you come across a buzzing hive like this in someone's back garden.

Day 53 - Sheep

There's an old joke about there being more sheep than people in New Zealand. Now while I've no idea if there is any truth in this, it's undeniable that there are a bloody large number of the woolly creatures residing here. They tend to be a bit more refined than the scraggy British versions I'm used to and are surprisingly tame, even in the wild. I can also confirm they LOVE apples.

Day 52 - Lunchtime escapes to Victoria Park

It's a park in the middle of the city with a motorway running right through the middle of it. And yet, Victoria Park is a blissful lunchtime haven for office workers wanting to escape their stressful desk-bound lives. (Yep, that includes me.)

Day 51 - My brass bed

In the absence of Ikea, vintage and second hand retailers become a necessity if you want affordable furniture - and as this brass bed shows, the end results are often a lot more interesting than your average flat pack.

Day 50 - Tamaki Drive

The waterfront drive to the east of the city centre is arguably the most scenic in Auckland, the distant skyscrapers of the CBD and the imposing volcanic mound of Rangitoto out across the harbour combining to provide some of the most majestic views in New Zealand.