Wednesday 3rd February -Saturday 6th. February. Nelson, Picton, Kaikoura - Whale watching. Hanmer Springs - Hot pools

Wednesday 3rd February

Headed for Nelson
9.15 left site. Temp 22deg

Called at tourist info and they suggested calling into Mapua which we did and its a great little place. Cafes, bars and craft/ gift shops on the harbour. It also looks like you could stay overnight on the grassed car park as there aren't any restriction notices. Pity the timing wasn't more suited to us spending more time here or stopping over. There seems to be lots going on but all looks pretty new so I asked if it was and the lady said lots of people moving here from Christchurch. Then we had to call at Heslops, the service centre as problems with electrics. New battery put on and shower pump sorted too. Thankfully it wasn't really out of the way and we got away in quick time. These Pomms get everywhere. Several English guys working there.

Then we went to WOW World of wearable art - art designed to be worn!! It was an extraordinary gallery of fashion made from bazaar items. Like a dress made from cable ties for instance. It certainly made you think! And there was also a classic car gallery. WOW! They certainly had some cars in there. Some I recognised and some I didn't but all beautifully restored.

Then we drove along Queen Charlotte's Way which is the scenic route through to Picton. Again, lovely scenery. Stopped at a DOC site Momorangi Bay at 30$ a night with electric which was great. We were right on the shore and the toilets and showers were lovely. They had a kitchen too and although we didn't need to use it, it was spotless. Our BBQ was not behaving well. We were wondering if we'd have to fry our steaks (maybe in that lovely spotless kitchen) in the end we persevered and eventually dinner was ready. The ducks kept on nibbling round our feet and the rules were not to feed them but there was one little chap who was struggling as he only had one leg. It was tempting to feed him but they can turn out to be pests so we just ignored them and eventually they went away.

Picton tomorrow

Thursday 4th February

Bit overcast this morning. Looking like it might rain.

Stopped at Picton. Had a short walk around to Bobs Bay 3 miles in all. Then we went for lunch which was very nice and we booked the whale watching tour for tomorrow on Kaikoura

Driving through Marlborough wasn't very picturesque. There were lots of winery's but the scenery was very bland. All the mountains were brown and there wasn't much sighting of the sea either. We were heading for Kaikoura for the whale watching tomorrow and we spotted some campervans parked by the sea so we went to take a look.

It's an ideal spot and as there are no restrictions, so we can stay the night, for free, just before Ohah Seal Sanctuary. One of the info leaflets did mention that on first site they're cute but they can be vicious and they do smell?! I, of course chose to ignore this advice and didn't find they smelled until I got this really bad whiff when I was clambering over some rocks. It was a dead one!

There are big rocks, crashing waves and seals right in front of us (live ones). How amazing to be able to stop here over night and its free!!

It was only about 4.30 when we stopped so we decided we'd read for a bit then set the BBQ early as it took ages last night. The seals are very lazy. Just lounging round in the sun. We had a chat to Liz and Pete from Portsmouth next door, also in a motorhome, and they joined us for a drink in the evening after our meal. They had a posh gas bbq supplied with their motorhome from Iconic Motorhomes which look very nice. It was lovely sitting out until after 10, and there aren't many flies but the bees are huge!

Woops!! Just found out I've left my bag at the cafe in Picton with my lovely handy fleece from Kev and Lisa and my watch was in the pocket too :(

Whale watching tomorrow

Friday 5th January
overcast today

Whale watching today

We rang the cafe in Picton to see if my bag had been handed in and they said it hadn't. I never believe them when they say that. Always want to take a look around just to check it out but it would've been a 5hr round trip so I was reconciled to never seeing my bag, fleece or watch that was in my pocket, ever again. However!! Liz and Peter, from the camper next door are going to Picton today and Liz kindly offered to go and see if it had been handed in. And although they said it hadn't it was worth asking her to check.

Just around the corner from where we camped last night was the Ohau seal colony so we stopped to take a look and there were dozens of seals. Big and small and so cute.

Yipeeeee. I got a call later in the day from Liz to say they had my bag. How brilliant is that? How lucky am I? Memories of cameras in Thailand come to mind!! Liz is going to hang on to my bag and post it to me when we get home at Easter. Many thanks to Liz and Peter :) :)

Off to Kaikoura whale watching started at 11, 130$ each. We collect the brochures and they usually have coupons in for money off so we saved 10% on the cost.

We were super lucky today and saw a total of 6 whales, lots of pilot whales, dolphins and an albatross too. Didn't see any whales in full or jumping out of the water, but the dolphins were certainly putting on a show similar to that you might see in a show. Unbelievable! Very exciting and we'll worth the trip.

I've got to say though, Mary Lou, if you're reading this, there are memories of the Irrawaddy Dolphin and the 500 photos which captured only sea! Well, this was pretty much like that.

Going back to the van we could see someone in the sea swimming and there were several dolphins right near him. How brilliant would that be? To swim with dolphins for free!!??

We headed for Hanmer Springs via the scenic route. So lovely through all the mountains. Arrived at Hanmer around 6pm. It's a nice little town with bars and restaurants. We had earmarked a few camp sites but settled on this one at the 5 Stags which said it was free with restrictions. When we went to reception it was 30$ but with a voucher for 30$ to spend on the pub/ restaurant. Which sounded like a deal made in heaven.

We set up and went for a drink with the voucher. Really nice pub and we intend to stay here another night and go there for a meal tomorrow after we've been to the hot pools

BBQ pork and salad for tea and I popped over to the pub and they did me some chips to take away. Scrummy addition to our meal.

Hot pools tomorrow :)

Saturday 6th February
Overcast
Hanmer Springs Hot Pools

Dippy eggs for breakfast this morning. Hmmm no egg cups. Had to improvise with a wine glass stuffed with paper! worked pretty well>

Did a 5 mile woodland walk this morning (lots of trails on the doorstep) and after a bit of lunch, headed off for the Hanmer hot pools. It's fabulous. It was overcast today but I think that was probably good as you could spend the whole day here. They have sun loungers and lots of different pools at different temperatures and some sulphur pools too and although they have a restaurant on site you can take your own food. Excellent day out at only 16$ (senior rates). And you can even hire swimsuits and towels. We heard on our smart guide tour radio, that it used to be naked bathing with a wall built across the centre of the pool for modesty reasons. Think I may have stayed too long in the hottest pools as I felt like I was going to explode a couple of times and I was bright red. Really annoying as I didn't notice anyone else who was glowing. They all looked really chilled!

Evening meal in the 5 Stags (using our vouchers) which was really nice and on a slightly chilly evening like tonight, they have a brilliant fire! YES!! I'm right at home here. Pity we're only staying 2 nights.

We received some very upsetting news from dear friends back home tonight and I'm feeling very heavy in heart. You're in our thoughts every day. Big hugs to you both xx xx

Hokitika tomorrow