Today we are travelling to Taupo from Hamilton and leaving the good weather we have enjoyed since our arrival. We have been promised showers but by the time we arrive in Taupo the sun is shining and it's turned out to be a lovely day.

The drive takes just a couple of hours and we stop at Tokoroa for a short stroll around the block. The town is famous for it's paper mill and we see a train full of logs waiting to be processed outside the Mill. In the main street is a statue of a logger with his chain saw.  We were going to have a coffee but after our stroll decided to continue to the golf resort of Wairakei which is a sanctuary as well as a golf course. We phone ahead and get a tee time at 12.33, this will allow us plenty of time for lunch and a warm up before our game.

It appears no-one is there when we arrive but they tell us the course is full today and the Marshall will be out on course. We tee off 30 mins early as some of the groups are late which suits us. Dad is not playing today as he wants to rest his leg that is slightly strained, but does a great job as a caddy driving the cart. 

It is a really beautiful course with some spectacular holes and views, Chris and I both enjoy it very much and would like to play it again tomorrow, weather permitting. Chris is the winner today with an amazing score of 35. It hits a max 14C today but out walking it is very warm, we kept the caddy well rugged up with scarf, gloves and vest, he was happy not to play as it looked too challenging for him.

We checked into our apartment at Sacred Waters which is on the lake at Taupo, it's large and comfortable for us all with a view over the lake and we buy dinner and eat in tonight,