The magnificent Lake Taupo where the tour party stopped for lunch en route to Hastings

Lunch by the lake and on to Hastings

Today we left Rotorua and headed off on a majestic trip across the North Island of New Zealand to Hastings and Hawke's Bay.

En route we took in the dramatic surroundings of Raitaki and the beauty of Lake Taupo, where we stopped for lunch. It was a long trip - about four hours - but the stunning views made it a pleasure.

Eventually we arrived at Lindisfarne College in Hastings, where we met our hosts, who will billet the boys for the next three nights. Excitement is sure to follow, but for the next couple of days the staff will, with great sadness (? - ed), leave the boys in the capable hands of the Lindisfarne boys and parents.