Left the luxury of our craggy range cottage to travel up to Rotarua. Very wet journey all the way. Stopped in lake Taupo for lunch fantastic burger but not much view of the lake!! Continued on our travel with Daniel (navman) directing us. After finally finding a radio station that was clear listened to the weather warning.......We were driving through the aftermath of the Queensland cyclone, roads were flooded and closed by falling trees!!!!! This was after Danie...

Left Picton yesterday morning on the interisland ferry to cross the Cook strait fairly smooth crossing which took 3hrs. Arrived in Wellington mid afternoon picked up the hire car, a Toyota Yaris which took some getting used to after driving my truck. Went up the cable car, same as the peak tram so felt at home and walked around the botanic gardens. Had lovely dinner and wine.....sav Blanc on the quay side. Woke up this morning to torrential rain managed a bit of ...

Happy Birthday Annie!!!!! Had a great day, leisurely morning in the cafe drinking coffee. Then set off on the mail boat with postman Pat alias Jason to deliver the mail around the Charlotte Sounds. Amazing to visit the small inlets where people live with only sea access, they come down to the boat to collect their mail and drop off their mail to be delivered on the mainland. Scenery fantastic again ever changing. We saw blue penguins, king shags (very rare bird ...

Fantastic day got water taxi to torrent bay then 2hr hike over to bark bay and lunch on the deserted beach. Water taxi to watering cove to pick up kayaks. Big drama as I got stung by a bee and thought I would go into anaphylactic shock!!!! Ann just ignored me. Once I realized I was ok we managed to get in the kayaks and set off with Ann steering. Once we got the hang of it we were off and there was no stopping us kayaked around small islands to see the seals then...

Set off from Blenheim after a very wet night. Still managed to visit a couple more wineries!!!!! Drove to Nelson stopped for lunch and some retail therapy then on up to the Abel Tasman. Dinner at hot Mamas then early night again!!! Ready for big day on the Abel Tasman trail.