New Zealand - Island Hopping

Do we not like that - getting up and leaving the hotel for 06:30 - it's supposed to be a holiday. Still, we once again marvelled at our luck at the weather - day of travel = rain. Bad news was this was accompanied by wind and lumpy seas.

We were on board the 08:35 ferry and set sail. The tannoy reassuringly stated the sea conditions in the Cook Strait (exposed bit between the islands) was 'moderate' and he hoped 'we didn't have too unpleasant a journey'. Alice was doped up on travel sickness pills and I was suffering from cask ale stomach...didn't help watching everyone walking around like drunkards and dashing for the white bags conveniently located around the ship. Feeling less than perfect I tried the sun deck on deck-10.


Having recovered from the sensation of having my eyes forced through the back of my head from the front I decided to try the viewing decks on the side - there are a whole range of pictures on board with pond like seas and beautiful views - we got lumpy seas and limited visibility. The trip through Marlborough Sound was still beautiful but not at its best. We did manage to catch a view of some dolphins messing about as well - though not sure the attached photo shows them clearly! What I also forgot - or more accurately didn't listen to, was that it's necessary to fill up the car with petrol before you get to Picton. We did get petrol but it was a little steeper in price - though still cheaper than UK prices by a mile. The friendly chap escorted me into the shop to pay (they had a tank full of aquatic turtles) and informed me it's the worst winter/spring he can ever remember. That's a nice and positive welcome!


Northern South Island has much in common with the South of the North. Flat fruit growing areas and mountainous terrain. We saw fantastic rivers, snow covered peaks and undulating fields of vines. It was a somewhat twisty road again but was great views. About ninety minutes after docking we arrived in Nelson. It's a lovely little town - two chocolate shops - plenty of eateries and also in the midst of an Arts Festival. We've managed to miss most of the events with the timing of our visit but loads of shops have displays of local artwork in their windows. It looks great. We wandered into town and found the resident Monteith's place - Plan B. Excellent lunch, beer and service - as we have come to expect. We then visited the i-site (the information centres here are bleeding amazing and incredibly helpful) to book ourselves onto a kayaking tour for tomorrow. We also managed to track down a bead shop - which was pretty impressive again - and more beads were purchased!

We got to check into our accommodation after four. Val and Wayne were out but had left a key for the neighbours. We have hit the proverbial jackpot with this place. Our room has a little office to one side (from where I am updating this), a fantastic wooden floor, massive bed, balcony with views across Nelson towards the sea and a claw foot bath. Can you imagine how excited Alice was! Everything is fantastic and so beautifully decorated/furnished. In fact, I felt the need to shave so as not to sully the place and was embarrassed to meet the owners and other guests without an ironed shirt!

Dinner out that evening was a cook it yourself on a hot stone kind of place - indeed the raw chicken presented to the American lady next to us was sent back to be cooked - she missed the point but then I had the chicken as well and was a little concerned about cooking on my plate! It was then over the road to the Ale House where Richard the quizmaster from Preston was entertaining the locals - it was Barry the owners 49th Birthday so the place had been adorned with balloons and banners as a surprise for him. Very pleasant range of beers but I had a Tui - as hadn't had one previously - similar to lots of other NZ beer - cool, refreshing, fizzy but rather tasteless! Quiz was tricky mind. Then it was back to base for a much needed rest before another early start.