Made it across to the South Island on Saturday, after a three hour ferry crossing. I was  feeling seasick for most of it, and Mark spent most of the trip at the front of the ship watching the scenery and being blown away by the fierce winds of the Cook Straight.

 Landed at Picton, which is a cute fishing village, stopped in a campsite overnight to get our washing done, and the other boring stuff we can’t do on the road. On Sunday we set off through Blenheim, which was a bit bland and boring to me. Everything was closed and it seemed like a ghost town.  We decided to carry on to Nelson straight away, where we spent Sunday evening and Monday.

 This was somewhere that I wouldn’t mind living, although I’m not sure Mark was as keen. There was a lovely stretch of beach and a good view of the mountains, as well as some good shops finally! We were both feeling a bit tired and run down, its harder to travel around by campervan than you might imagine, and we are both craving home comfots by now, so a few days at the seaside is in order, which is where we are now in Collingwood, on the Golden Bay.

Today we have had excellent weather,  the sun is scorching in this area, and we have been for a bit of an explore of the place, to see an ancient graveyard of the first settlers here, and a hilltop lookout. We are just enjoying some smoothies in a cafe now, with the owners cat wrapped around Marks legs. I think we will spend a few days relaxing here before we set off down the West coast. I dont know how often we will get internet access, but will say hi when we can.

Hope you are all well,

love from Gill and Mark

xox