A freezing start from Hanmer this morning to travel to Akaroa.   We are feeling somewhat weary on this amazing morning. I think that we are at the end of our trip and this is our last stop, that we are preparing ourselves for the trip home.I have to say, we will be glad to shed all these layers of clothes, the Ugg boots and beanies.Bill won't freeze any more and won't need to wear his beanie to bed. Thank God for small mercies!!!! Not the best look....

We could see the snow clouds late yesterday afternoon from Pat & Vicky's place here in Nelson. The forecast was for snow but not really much. Hahaha yeah right!This morning at 8am, when we finally peeked out from under the polar fleece sheets, it was 2 degrees, the sun was shining, the vege garden was white with frost and the grass snapped underfoot. The house is wonderfully warm, but damn, it was cool outside!  Vicky's car had a freezing night out...

So here we are, doing yesterday's mail run, today. We leave Havelock at 9:30 am knowing we made a good decision to put it off till today, with amazing brilliant blue skies, warm winter sun and the odd pure white cloud! What a picture, set off by the greens of the forestry and natural bush crowding the hills to the waters of the Sounds.The mailboat is owned and run by a canny Scotsman, Jimmy. What a really nice guy, knowledgeable with the inevitable histor...

It rained solidly all night. I stepped out the door during the night, umbrella open, and promptly landed in an ankle deep puddle. I could hear the rushing and booming of the narrow, little creek that ran through the camp, now a raging torrent risen by at least one metre!Unfortunately, by morning it hadn't improved. Our Pelorus Mail Boat Run was today and with the continuous heavy rain, mist and cloud down to sea level, we decided to postpone til the next ...

Wednesday was very overcast with threatening rain clouds hanging low as we set off for Havelock. Blustery, strong winds assault us as we drove around the Tasman Bay coastline and, as we drove up through the hills, the rain kept us company off and on.We found Havelock to be a sleepy little town, right at the edge of Pelorous Sound. It wasn't too cold even though the day was dark and dingy. We checked into the camp ground and decided to take Pat's advice an...