Started our journey to Christchurch and as the sun was shining decided to retrace our steps back into Kaikoura to visit the seal sanctuary and see if the all allusive seals were basking on the rocks and indeed they were! Fantastic views over the bay in the sunshine and brilliant sightings of seals. Tom got up quite close and personal to get a photo and then read that a distance of 20M was recommended as seals can become a little aggressive if they feel threatened...

As promised, Ram in interview mode - check out the Kaikoura tourist website in a couple of months!

Kaikoura (means 'Meal of Crayfish' and indeed most cuisine included a taste of crayfish!) Picked up the rental car and instead of heading directly to Kaikoura we went north through the 'Marlborough Sounds' and although this proved to be a longer drive it gave us a chance to stop at Havelock where we were able to have lunch at the Marina and 'people watch' as the locals launched their boats. We had fabulous views along this coastal route and went on to drive t...

Wellington Up bright and early (for the Lomasney's) to return the campervan to Wellington. Stopped off on the way to visit a Settlers village museum in Greytown - well worth the effort as it gave a real feel of life in the early, pioneering days. Quite a protracted journey to Wellington as we had to negotiate a tortuous range of twists and turns, but stunning views. We arrived to find that we had booked an apartment in a wacky but brilliant hotel. The hotel wa...

Up early as needed to catch the 8.30am ferry to the South Island, found the early morning quite difficult after partying a little in Wellington the night before! Hadn't told Sue that there might be a bit of a breeze on the journey, but she soon found out; as soon as we left the ferry terminal there were two announcements first to advice against moving about the ferry and then to inform us that all food/drink outlets would be closed and that staff would be circula...