Woke up to another beautiful day in Napier (see picture )and hit the road bound for Wellington.
Still not had any confirmation from tour agents what happens when we get to the South Island. Stopped off in a small town called Masterton where we ate our picnic, confirmed our ferry crossing and visited the patchwork/quilting shop.

The journey was along a large plain with a range of mountains along one side in the distance. The Tree Ferns have now disappeared, but palms are still around.
Prior to dropping down into Wellington we travelled across what must have been the edge of that mountain range. I suppose it was the Cat and Fiddle of North Island. All very green, the trees don't seem deciduous over here, and of course its Spring. The road was amazing really steep and twisty. Thought we were never going to see the top. Big trucks with trailers also used this road, I guess they must have very powerful engines because they didn't hold the traffic up.

Arrived in Wellington and called Avis on the South Island to confirm we would have a car waiting for us. The answer was not good. We can't guarantee you will have a vehicle and if there is one it may not be the one you booked. She was a bit off really but then apologised and said it had been a bad day and all the cars were out of place due to the quake. So could be interesting over there.
We called the New Zealand agents and now have a bed for the night to replace the one in Kaikoura. So we now intend to go and see what Wellington has to offer.
Met up with the couple who are also travelling with Travelbag but are a day in front of us. Went out for a Thai meal with them-they travel to South Island tomorrow