We were unsure what our next steps for today and the next few days might be. We were keen to ensure we got up to Nelson with enough time to see Abel Tasman, one of New Zealand's best National Parks. After making the decision to by pass Christchurch as a stop and drive all the way up to Nelson, we compromised by taking the slightly longer scenic route instead.

The journey from Timaru to Nelson took us 9 hours with several food and petrol stops. We went through a national park called 'Arthur's Pass' which was very pretty, perhaps not worth the extra 2 hours it added onto our journey though.

On arrival in Nelson, we fancied a quick hot meal. Amy, Matt's twin sister, lived in New Zealand for a while last year and told us that Dominos was much cheaper out here. We stopped off at one, and ordered 2 pizzas as part of a very cheap deal.

We thought we'd try and find a cheap campsite, until Matt found a car park where non self-contained vehicles could stay overnight for free! I was sceptical at first as everywhere else in the South Island seemed so strict on freedom camping, and also no where else had offered overnight stay for free! But sure enough, he was right. We were both exhausted from all the travelling especially Matt as he insists on doing all the driving no matter how much I offer to take over for a while. I have the easy job of filling up Jimi with petrol and making lunch! After a cup of tea and a biscuit, we called it a night!