Goodbye trusty tent

In 10 days time we will be holding a party to celebrate the burning of the tent. The idea seemed a great one when we left England : take a tent so that we could save money, avoid hostels and have a bit more of an adventure.

It's first test in Tahiti was a disaster. The heat snapped 2 of the poles and we couldn't go in between the hours of 6am - 10pm due to suffocation/dehydration risk. We left the island with the tent smelling like a soccor changing room and looking like an abattoir, due to all the mossies killed.

It was great in New Zealand - the weather was perfect (in the north island) for camping and we did several treks cheaply. The south island was a little too chilly and we only managed 5 nights in it. Our search for a Vaude stockest was fruitless. German rubbish!

Australia has been another disaster as the weather has been rainy and dire. Oh, and another pole snapped. Due to the 3rd pole snap, the canvas has pitched, pooling water on the top of the tent, making it not so waterproof. Thankfully the weather has improved slightly.

We worked out that we have probably spent 75-80 nights in the tent in all. How we haven't killed each other is a mystery and a testimony to the fun we are having. Still, we are burning it next week.

Currently camping in Bundaberg ($14 a night!) - not the centre of the universe, but the last chance to see the reef - and it's sunny! We are going to miss the football tonight as we have to be up at 5.30 for our reef trip.