In Kaikoura the campsite we stayed at had a heated pool and a couple of hot tubs. I quite fancied going in them but after the whale watching experience neither of us felt like it. Instead we decided to head for Hanmer Springs and get the real thing.

Hanmer Springs is a small town, on a plateau with natural springs and sulphur pools, adjacent to a range of mountains.

We spent two and a half hours driving up the mountainous road from Kaikoura, passing a couple of fields with Llamas grazing, sheep, and some small farming towns.

We pulled into Pines Holiday Park, number 890 in our bible - the Hema Motorhome & Camping Atlas - got unpacked and went for a walk around Hanmer Springs town.

On the walk Richard discovered our campsite was right next to a golf course. On Tuesday we woke up to glorious sunshine, so instead of going to the springs we played a round of golf!

It wasn't the most imaginative course to play on, Richard describes it as being on par with Hanwell, but the greens were beautifully kept and it was in an idyllic setting.

The highlight for me in addition to the setting was hiring the golf buggy and whizzing around the course at 3 miles an hour.

Katy