Day 9

Drive from Greymouth to Redwood valley (nr Nelson). We arrive at a beautiful house owned by the Toms - not a noise to be heard apart from the Tui, and set in 10 acres of land. We have goldfish, birds, a hedgehog and sheep to feed :)

We settle in and top the day off with a BBQ and a couple of local wines - we've come to conclusion that we're not keen on NZ pinot noir - however there are plenty of others to choose from!

Day 10

A nice lie in until mid morning, and a full fry up set us up for a hard day laying in the back garden in the sun. It's finally "wind down" day! Just to break with routine we have a BBQ for tea and continue to sample the local red wine! We finally finish watching the last episode of the last series of Six Feet Under. It's a hard life!

Day 11

After a lazy day yesterday I thought a day sea kayaking in Abel Tasmin would be a fun way to see the National Park. We drive up to Marahau (at 7.30am!) and join the group to "Head to Anchorage". It's a calm sea and the sun is shining - couldn't be more perfect - we paddle around lots of coves and empty beaches taking in the sights, the birds and wildlife. We stop for mid morning for coffee and biscuits. We set off to do the next bit before lunch and head out into the oncoming wind, which is getting stronger and stronger! Once we come round the headland the sea swell is well over a metre - at this point I am beginning to wonder why I suggested this!! Various other teams are heading back however our team leader fancies a challenge - so we all venture on. Oh my god! The perfect storm! Remind me not to go that again - I no longer like the water from a small kayak. We manage just to get round the headland, taking 30 mins of hard slog - it felt like 2 hours! I drank most of the sea!

When we finally got tot he beach for lunch the guide suggests we walk round to Anchorage - a tame 30 mins stroll rather than a further hour to paddle what is only 400m. I'm off up the track like a shot! Its home on the water taxi, body parts I didn't know I have aching like hell!

We just about manage a BBQ and fall straight into bed!

Day 12

After a lazy breakfast (this becoming a habit) we leave the lovely Toms house and start the drive to Kaikoura - another 4 hours in the car. We're happily bouncing along, about 100ks from Kaikoura when the car goes bang! It drops into "crawl home" mode - which means we can't go any faster than about 60k/ph - that's not good news on windy single carriage lanes - boy did we generate some backed up traffic! We finally crawl into Kiakoura and find the lovely Gull Cottage where we are staying for 4 nights.

A quick call and the AA man arrives within 20 mins (that NEVER happens at home) and he's not sure whats wrong with it - the fault seems to have cleared. Its off to the garage tomorrow then!

To celebrate we head to the White Morph for dinner - which was great food!.

Day 13

Today I am sitting in the Global Gossip Internet cafe - as its pouring with rain! Cliff has taken the car over to the garage to get it sorted. We're being hopeful and have bought BBQ food for tonight - we'll let you know!