I arrived in Taupo with Mike, a metalworker from Ireland, who made stuff like candlesticks but specialised in swords. Apparently there are a lot of people who want their own sword and he can make them to different specifications. I was a little surprised that anyone would actually buy a sword - what would you use it for? - but then he showed me one of his brochures and as we talked more I started to think that yeah, maybe a sword would be a cool thing to have. I think I'd go for a double edged medium bladed one with a hand guard engraved with a vine pattern. Probably a good thing it wouldn't fit in my backpack...

We got to the Rainbow Lodge and had a cup of tea then ran into Helen, who we'd both met before, and ended up watching films for the rest of the evening. Helen and Rachel had just got back from attempting the Tongariro River Crossing, which is what I was intending to do. They had got three hours into the hike but had to turn back because the weather was so bad and the snow and wind were blowing them off the mountain.

I went up to the Craters of the Moon thermal area the next day and also the Huka Falls. I walked past a hot river and back down to the lake. Am planning to return to Taupo next week when hopefully the weather will have improved.