Wow, this blog is getting cobwebs. We're just not giving it the love it craves. But we're determined to fill you all in our amazing travels so we'll keep ploughing through - albeit rather slowly. Please bear with us!

We left you on the edge of your seats in Nelson... One thing you'll know by now is that we love campervan living, but that doesn't mean it doesn't - literally - drive us a little bit mental from time to time (not really mental, just a tad unhinged/marginally hysterical).

Last night in Nelson was one of the times.

We arrived at the only cheapo campsite we could find, just outside of town. It was dark, windy and a bit drizzly when we turned in, so Bret darted into the reception hut to check in and get directions to where we could park up and hibernate away from the elements. (Drizzle is an element, isn't it?)

We were asked to park in the dedicated 'small van' zone. So off we chugged in George to a patch of (what we considered was) uneven ground set aside for us budget types.

We've spent the last nine days living in a tiny van that has no toilet, and no shower. We can't even sit up in the back, dammit - let alone stand. We spend most mornings peeing behind bushes or, if we're lucky, doing our business in insect/frog infested public loos and washing in freezing cold shower blocks. We can handle that. We can. But uneven ground? Now, that's just pushing it.

There's nothing worse than slowly but surely slipping around in the back of the van as we catch some Z's, and waking up with no blood circulating through our tingly limbs.

So we drove around in circles in the teeny campsite - much to bemusement of the weirdos who were happily parked at 45degrees - looking for the perfect place to park.

Lots of people ask if we've fallen out on the trip yet. Well we can tell you that last night in Nelson, in search of uneven ground, we very nearly did. At one point we thought we'd cracked it. We'd finally manoeuvred George into the exact position which, we both agreed, was indeed flat. So we shut down the engine, and turned off our headlights (to the cheers of our now rather disgruntled neighbours), collapsed the seats in the back, rigged the camper bed, and put an end to the bickering as we snuggled in for the night - only to decide maybe the van wasn't quite level afterall.

So off we went again. Forward a bit. Back a bit…

Although the site was actually fairly empty, we eventually settled in about one metre away from another van with 'p**** wagon' spray painted across it. Oh well - it had to be better than uneven ground.

Next morning, the drizzle had become proper rain so after another freezing cold shower, we were straight on the road to Picton - where we'd board a ferry to Wellington in the North Island.

It was a shame the weather wasn't on our side, but the gloomy atmospheric conditions didn't mirror the drive. Even in the mist and rain, driving here is special. We just hope the North is as spectacular.

After a pit stop in a café which claimed to be frequented by the Hobbit production crew during recent filming for the next movie, we eventually made it to Picton. We had just enough time to mooch around some Paua shell jewellery and craft shops before driving on to the ferry.

We hoped it would be a nice relaxing boat ride, with lovely views across the Cook Straight - if we were lucky we'd even spot a dolphin or two. Instead, we spent three and a half hours swaying from side to side and resisting the urge to vomit as we glanced out to a dense blanket of grey mist.

Driving off the ferry into Wellington was a tad surreal. For the first time since arriving in NZ we had arrived in a city that actually looked like a city. There were buildings with more than two levels and everything.

It was quite late, so we followed the sat nav to the nearest campsite - which turned out to be a (level) tarmacked, pay and display car park on the edge of the main road through the city. It even had hot, coin operated showers. Lovely!

We spent the evening walking from bar to bar in Wellington. We didn't plan on sticking around too long in Wellington - partly due to the erratic weather here. So we thought we'd size up some of the main sights between beers.

First impressions are that this city has a lot going for it. It's got a vibrant arts and music scene and loads of that famous NZ coffee (haven't you heard the kiwis are renowned for their coffee?) served in more cafes and restaurants per head than New York (fun fact courtesy of the Lonely Planet!)

Now back in the van we've realised it's worth hanging on long enough tomorrow to visit the Te Papa museum - a modern nod to all things Maori - and ride on the famous red funicular.