Kaikoura

I got up at 06:30 and managed to find my way through central Wellington to the ferry terminal without SatNav/GPS. Respect!

Negotiating the fjordlike archipilago on the
approach to Picton

The first half of the journey wasn't that exciting, but when we started negotiating our way through the sound into Picton, then it became much more interesting.

The sun was beaming down and the landscape was quite remarkable.

It was then a 2 hour drive down to Kaikoura. I got out once or twice for a leg stretcher and it was scorching hot. I've packed loads of warm clothes and was completely taken by surprise over how hot it was. Very well; they have clothes shops on the south island as well.

Kaikoura hotel room - not to bad after all.

I safely arrived at the hotel, where there had been a mix-up with a shared kitched etc, but the staff were wonderful and the rooms really nice, so I must admit I was quite happy with things in the end.

I spent an hour failing to get all the bits together to make two burgers (missing ketchup, then frying pan, then cling film etc, etc) and then resolutely set off towards the part with restaurants and shops as soon as the burger mess had been settled.

A black swan - cool!

I found a lovely roof terrace where I had the catch of the day, which was amazing. I was completely stuffed and wobbled down to the beach. I had a stroll and then sat down, feeling the vaning sun gazing at my back and listened to the rollign of the waves. Amazing.

...and then I saw a black swan - just to round things off :-)