Hi everyone,

Arrived at Brrokhurst about 4pm and met Brian and Helen, Sophie(the poodle) and Claudia(the most lovely-ugly cat in the world!). They introduced themselves and showed us around their house where we were going to be staying. Had a cup of tea outside, in their lovely english style garden, which mum appreciated.

In the evening we went to a very lively pub called the Whitehaven, Brian dropped us down in his V8 jaguar. It was a really busy night with a vibrant atmosphere, an indroduction to pub life in NZ!

Wednesday got up around 8am and Helen laid on a lovely breakfast. Couldn't decide what to do so we drove to the Wither Hills which were just behind us. They looked fairly uninteresting so we decided to go to a winery instead. Ended up going to the Highfield Estate, as Mum and Dad had a bottle the previous night and really enjoyed it! The estate was relatively small but regonizable with its Tuscan-inspored tower. Were had a private tour around the winery by a trainie wine maker. She was very informative and it was very interesting seeing the press, vats, steel vaults and bottling station.

In the evening we spent the afternoon chilling at the house. Mum and Dad went out in the evening and ate at a winery.

Thursday morning we had another lovely breakfast cooked by Helen. Packed up and got away pretty early as Helen and Brian had a busy day preparing their garden for an open weekend, which was being visted by 6 coach loads of people!

Drove the short distance to Picton. Grabbed a coffee while we waited for the ferry. Dropped the car off at midday and then checked in for the ferry. We went and sat on the observation deck for the entire trip, it was very windy and cold at times but you just had to see the views. Travelled down Queen Charlotte Sound and across the Cook Strait and then into Wellington Harbour which all and all took about 3 hours and luckily it wasn't too rough.

Love Hayley x