So, New Zealand's capital wasn't up to much (in our estimations) and we hoped the south island would deliver for us!

The ferry crossing was excellent. About an hour before we were due to dock in Picton we entered the Marlborough Sounds. They're channels formed by the land sinking below the water level and are surrounded by beautiful green mountains. At one point the ferry was joined by some dolphins, so those who weren't already gazing over the bow, soon were!

Once off the ferry we decided upon Kaikoura as our next stop and off we tootled. We passed snow topped mountain ranges, extensive green forests and the deep blue Pacific Ocean! Sadly we arrived just too late to go whale watching in New Zealand's premier location (all trips depart from Whale Way Station!)

Instead, we checked into a particularly nice motel and drove off in search of a nearby seal colony. Soon we were clambering over seaweed covered rocks on the look out for the local fur seals. Upsettingly, the first one we came across was dead. However Cooper then spotted a few off in the distance, and shortly afterwards, I glimpsed what looked like a seal shaped rock! We moved in to investigate and realised it was a solitary sleeping seal. We took a few snaps and mooched off to look in the rock pools.

After our adventures in Kaikoura we were due in Christchurch to hand over the keys to our beloved Jose. In exchange we were handed the keys to our new accommodation/wheels - our campervan! After an initial lookover Cooper was unimpressed with the lack of space and so following some negotiations, we decided to downgrade to a van without toilet and shower as it would be far roomier inside. We resolved to spend a few more nights than expected in more traditional accommodation to make up for the lack of shower!

As we'd be picking up our alternate van the following day, we went to look round Christchurch for accommodation. Christchurch was a bit nicer than Wellington and vaguely reminiscent of Cambridge ...oddly! Anyway, the next day we checked out, loaded up all our bags and set off to swap the van...or at least we would've if the engine had started! The battery had gone flat overnight, leaving us stranded in the motel car park. Unimpressed, we called the AA...

Later, feeling a little disheartened with the rental company, I wasn't looking forward to returning to their office for fear it may not be our last time there! As usual I was worrying over nothing and although it could've done with a clean before being handed over to us, we're quite pleased with our Jucy Cruiza!

On our way out of Christchurch we visited the Antarctic Centre where we learned about various expeditions, conditions and wildlife on the coldest, windiest and driest continent in the world! We were subjected to -18C in their simulator and for a finale, got to watch penguins being fed. They were excellent! Evidently those in captivity there have been injured and would not survive in the wild...my favourite 'disabled penguin' was paralysed in one wing so it couldn't swim in a straight line! Hahahaha...

We stopped in Timaru (mildly dull) before setting off to Dunedin. On our way we pulled over to see the Moeraki Boulders. These are a smidgen more worth pulling over for than they sound! The Boulders on Moeraki beach have somehow formed near perfect spheres. We took some pictures and headed on our way!

Arriving in Dunedin to quite unpleasant weather, we opted to continue avoiding sleeping in our van and once checked in somewhere altogether more comfortable...we set about sightseeing! It didn't take too much deliberation to decide upon tours of both a brewery and the Cadbury's factory! As the latter didn't offer a full tour over the weekend - we thought we'd wait for Monday morning. So to fill time ahead of our afternoon tour in the brewery we went along to...wait for it...this is exciting...maybe the highlight of our trip so far...we went to not just New Zealand's, not just Australasia's...but the World's Steepest Street. I don't think it would be quite as appropriate anywhere other than New Zealand...it's all a bit mad. There's the skydiving, zorbing, luging and bungying etc not to mention all the fabulous scenery caused by the dramatic countryside. Yes, the World's Steepest street definitely belongs here!

Anyway, as the drizzle began to fall, I put my head down and begun trudging up the road to it's summit while Cooper retired to the relative comfort of the van. It was a tough climb, and as I ascended I thought of the poor blighters who live there and the walk home from the pub which must just be rubbish!

I can tell anyone who's interested that atop Baldwin Street (the road in question) there is a bench and a water fountain. I stood on a rock behind that bench and waved to Cooper, who evidently didn't see me...never mind, I'm sure those others climbing the street were very appreciative!

So, with sore legs from my street hiking ordeal we visited Speights brewery and learned all about the process of making beer and in particular the peculiarities at Speights! We both tried all six of their beers at the end of our tour and I'm not sure which feat is more surprising; Me, not liking a couple of them, or Cooper actually finishing a glass! (Albeit a small one.) Either way, we both feel quite the authorities on all alcoholic beverages having now been to a rum distillery, several wineries and a brewery!

The following morning was the turn of Cadbury's to have us visit. The experience there was quite unlike other tours that we've done. Firstly we had to wear hairnets - a quality fashion accessory which perfectly compliments various apparel. Then we were given free chocolate bars on the way round and our guide was totally dumfounding! She'd bark orders at us like "Follow me!" Or, "Keep Left", or "Left, Right, Left, Right..." Our somewhat large group rarely missed an instruction, however she'd lower her voice when giving information about the factory which was a shame for reasons that are threefold...1. We didn't pay for a walk, but a guided tour. There are literally hundreds of better walks around New Zealand and none of them are in a factory of any kind. We saw a lot, but weren't really sure what we were seeing a lot of the time. 2. We feared that we may sometimes miss her instruction like; "Tuck that shirt in!", "Keep pace!" or "Quick March!" and finally, 3. Although an authoritarian leader, she would reward poignant questions with free chocolate!

We did enjoy Dunedin, it's just a shame that the weather hasn't matched the warm sunshine we had in our first week in New Zealand. Hopefully it'll pick up in our next port of call, Queenstown!

As always, love to everyone and a hundred apologies to Guy who's birthday it was last week with absolutely no forewarning on the blog! We hope he had a super day and that the incontinence pants helped!

Back soon

Nick and Katie

xxx