Ok, had a brilliant housewarming on Saturday 10th Dec, great food and great people, met a few family members of Ben (Scott's Brother) and Tracey (Bens wife). Was good fun!
Sunday we did a final shop for our travels so were fully prepared.
Packed the car Sunday and fitted new speakers (which took 3 hours) but finally got there in the end.
Up at 5am, out the door at 6am, got the ferry at 0825 arriving at Picton for 1125. Surprise, lots of rain, drove for about 7 hours after a quick stop in Nelson, after a mountain drive, and a scare with the brakes overheating, soon sorted out by Bens expert knowledge, after an hour letting them cool down we were in our way again!
Got to an unsealed road, again up and around a mountain with sides looking like they could fall any time! Finally arrived at Totaranui doc campsite, still pissing with rain, we quickly put up the tent, cooked dinner and had a well deserved beer before bed.
After a decentish night sleep, we were up at 6, then had lovely cold showers before packing up the tent for the 8 hour drive to Hokitika (West Coast), with a stopover at Nelson for Scott to buy new walking shoes, a nice coffee and book the return ferry for 21st Dec.
During the drive down, the weather improved a lot, lots of sunshine and was really hot! Soon changed though after we arrived but at least the tent was dry and put up before the rain started again! Had a nice beans n toast dinner then a couple of beers, then bed.