Pete & I finished work at the Portage on 29th April. Hooray!!

We had an awesome time there all in all, but are really glad to be able to move on again with some money in our pocket. 

On Monday 30th April we went swimming with wild dolphins in the Queen Charlotte Sound.  We had to get up at the crack of dawn to make the boat,
and ended up sailing almost through to the Cook Straits before finding any dolphins. 
During that time we managed with great difficulty to squeeze into wet suits and after a brief from the crew we were ready and waiting for some dolphins. 
Amanda & I were making comments about a rather cute guy on the boat, when I turned around and realised we were actually being filmed on the
dolphin swim for a travel programme and he was the presenter! Embarrasing!
We had an awesome time getting on and off the boat several times as the dolphins got bored quite easily.  As the whistle blew to tell us it was time to
jump in the water we had make really silly noises and splash around to get the dolphins interested, I bet they thought we were right idiots!

In the afternoon we packed most of our stuff into our car, then attended a party in the evening for Amanda & ours leaving. 
Next day we set off toward Picton were we had a ferry booked to the North Island.  We decided to try and catch the good weather.
Three hours later we arrived in Wellington, and drove on up to Upper Hutt for the night. 
We were in two minds whether to pitch our tent or stay in a cabin as the ground was quite wet, but decided on the tent. 
After paying for a site the heavens opened, half an hour later the tent was up, but we & it were all soaked through. The tent had small puddles of water,
so out came the towels and we did our best to dry the inside of the tent, had a hot shower some sandwiches and settled in for the night.  It was probably
the longest half hour I've had in a long time, but we both reckoned what doesn't kill us makes us stronger, so we perceviered.
It continued to chuck the rain down all through the night, and put the tent to the test.  It dried out the next day as did the tent. 
We spent two nights in Upper Hutt, then moved on towards Martinborough - Wairarapa wine region. 

Stopped at Lake Ferry for lunch with peanut butter sandwiches enjoying the peacefulness, then drove onto Martinborough where we spent four nights in the
Village Campsite.  It was a lovely campsite amoung vineyards. 
As its Autumn all the leaves are changing colours and its so beautiful.  Had fish & chips for dinner which were some of
the best we've ever had!  Hired a couple of bikes to ride round the cellar doors and taste wine.  Got round five estates which were all amazing!  We are
attempting to visit as many cellar doors as possible on our travels through NZ, so that wasn't a bad start!  We went to a cellar door called The Cabbage Tree
owned by a couple who bought a small estate that produce 4000 bottles a year at maximum.  He showed us around the winery where we saw the process
he takes to produce wine.  It was so interesting!  Ended up at Vynfields Estate with a tasting tray of 5 wines and a cheese board sat in native gardens -
amazing!  Next day drove to Cape Palliser - the southern most point of North Island - bopping to the tunes of groups like Greenday & Offspring. 
There we climed what felt like 1 million steps to a light house (actually 250 steps, but that was enough so my legs told me!) with amazing views all
the way to Kaikoura ranges on South Island. 
We stopped for lunch at a seal colony and enjoyed watching them play around in the water and be lazy
on the hot rocks. In an off moment I wondered what seal meat would taste like!
Walked along a dry river bed and came across a fossil dig. Drove passed the town of palliser where there were loads of boats lined up on the beach all
attached to bulldozers.  All were different shades of rust, and some of the bulldozers had cute names like tinky winky or babe which had almost worn off
over the years of harsh saltyness.

There are amazing bird watching opportunities in the East Coast, and have seen some amazing birds with the help of my binoculars.  Hawkes soar above open
grass looking for prey while beautiful rosella's flit from tree to tree.  Nature at its best.

Next day hired bikes again & went round 3 more cellar doors.  Went to Canadoro Estate as the 4th stop and the lady was so incredibly rude to us we left
with promises never to buy their wines!!  Spoke to the camp manager about this who said that she did that to everyone!  How on earth can you sell anything?
(Don't buy the wine, I hear she curses each bottle with her own spit)

On Tuesday headed towards Masterton.  Made a stop off at Waiohine Gorge to see the longest swing bridge in NZ.  Oh my gosh!!!  It was about 200 metres long,
and could only take one person at a time. Quite scary, took me three attempts to pluck up the courage to actually cross it, but was such an amazing
experience! There were gushing white waters below you with four waterfalls along the cliff edges! So beautiful.  Pitched our tent in Masterton when
we realised the campsite was full of weird people who were part of a fungi club looking for mushrooms.  Aparently they gathered around this time each year!
Pete made the comment that he wondered if any of them were 'fun guys themselves' and if they had 'much room' left in the club for new members!
They were not amused

Wednesday we moved onto Napier as Masterton didn't do it for us. 
Passed the biggest windfarm in Southern Hemisphere on way - hundereds of windturbines!  Quite spectacular.  Pitched up in Napier and walked out to
explore the town.  Bought a cheap badminton set from the 2 dollar shop.  We spent the next two days reading books, going for short walks, playing games
(scrabble, backgammon & carcassone) and relaxing. 

On Saturday drove out to Havelock North - a really expensive area with huge houses worth millions!  We found free entertainment in a "battle of the bands"
competition in the town square.  The bands were mainly high school kids, but some were really good.  We sat and watched for a couple of hours with our
lunch, then stopped off at a cheese factory on way home.  Bought some goats blue cheese. Next day drove out to Te Mata peak which has views as far as
Mahia point down to Cape Palliser over all the ranges, and lake Taupo on a clear day.  Some amazing tramping tracks there.

Next three days we spent either driving or walking out to a selection of Hawkes bay wineries.  Visited the oldest winery in NZ - Mission Estate.  Went on
a tour of the largest winery in Hawkes Bay - Church Road winery - such an experience, highly recommended!  Also visted a brewery and tasted beers & ciders.
All in all when we finally move on, on Friday we have spent 10 nights in Napier.  We absolutely love it here, and is definately one of the top places on
our list to settle down one day. We have been living in our tent all this time.  The weather has mainly been beautiful with warm days and cool nights,
but not overly cold. Will be moving on to Lake Taupo, Gisborne, The Coromandel Pennisular soon so hope the good weather holds out.  

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