Spent the night in Napier and got up early to do laundry, so P is happy. After breakfast in a trendy organic restaurant we mad our way north stopping off at Huka falls, that’s the picture and its far more impressive than it looks! Strolled along the side of the Aratiatia rapids then went on to see the Craters of the Moon described as a geothermal oddity and it was certainly different. Finished the day in a hot water springs spa so feel very cosy. Staying the n...

Here we are arriving at the achingly cool city of Napier, very Palm Beach! It was totally destroyed by an earthquake in 1931 and the worthy city fathers rebuilt it entirely in the Art Deco style. The result is one of the most stylish and uniform city scapes anywhere which is great if you like Art Deco which fortunately P does. So she spent her time photographing buildings, road signs & street furniture to much oohing and ahing. Long drive up but well worth it...

Lovely scenic drive to terminal this morning clear skies no wind but cold, very cold. The sea was steaming as water temp higher than air temp. The photograph is the warning as we arrived at port so while it is hard to imagine in these protected waters it looks like a bumpy crossing ahead. Sad to leave South Island so many jaw dropping vistas it certainly did not disappoint.

Picture of one of the information boards at Picton, gateway to South Island. About mid way through the crossing, Andrew sleeping, an ok swell and free internet. The campervan is on the very bottom deck where a freight train came off, we were told we would be the first off, put money on us getting lost in Wellington, always used to in France after getting off the ferry or eurotunnel . We are getting rather attached to our motor home, the driving seats are most...

Clear skies as we awoke but still chilly. Plans were still a little fluid as we left Cable Bay, a tranquil stop by the Ronga River, plenty of swim places but way too cold for us. Coffee and the most pretentious muffin ever eaten thus far ( bacon, olive and capsicum ?!) at Havelock Marina. Kids please note Andrew would be truly content when the time comes to be put in care home adjacent to a marina where he can sit and pass judgement on the berthing abilities o...