So, where do I start? Managed to get a little behind in updating this thing... I left Wellington on the 7th March and caught a ferry across to Picton. Far nicer than coming into Dover - the scenery as you approach the south island was so nice, made all so much better by the twinkling of the sun on the water. Lovely.

Arrived in Picton and stayed at a hostel called Tombstone backpackers. Opposite the graveyard and they have a coffin shaped door at the front! My room was the size of a postage stamp, with 7 other (early risers). So much for my relaxing couple of days away! Brushed up on my pool playing and read multiple brain-cell-destroying books. Oh and had my first brush with Hokey Pokey icecream (a local fave apparently...)

Next stop, Nelson. Another small town on the bus route, after hurting my knee in Picton (on flat ground, go figure) I was a bit of a hobbling mess. Went in search of a bandage to strap it up, after trying 3 different pharmacies I found one. Only to discover that I'd left my wallet in the hostel. Can't lie, it was the first time I shed a tear since leaving - whilst trying to hop the mile roundtrip back. Not my finest moment! Things perked up though, with free popcorn and The Full Monty. Who said I wasn't simple?

Had the loudest snorer in my room and another girl who would 'tut' every time the snore reverbarrated around. Amusing to look back on it, at the time I contemplated putting her head through the window. Everyone else got up early tho to start on the walk around the Abel Tasmin. Have heard that it was beautiful, although as I couldn't walk more than about 20 paces, I didn't even attempt it. Plus, after the last walk I was secretly happy I'd been spared!

Final place on this blog - Greymouth (11th March). Being that I only saw the inside of a brewery here, I can't pretend to have 'seen it', but the brewery was cool. Well, the beer was anyway. We had a go at pouring our own, was slightly miffed that after 3 years of working in a bar, the novices did a better job than me. Seems like I'm better off sat behind a desk... The tour ended in a bar, which, when looking back at some receipts a few days later, made me think I'd spend $103.60 on a pint (about 45 quid) I'd forgotten about cashback - phew!

Well, that's me for now... xx