Thursday, 16 February: We left Feilding and drove to Wellington where we boarded the Bluebridge ferry to take us across Cook Strait to the South Island port city of Picton. Whlle in Wellington Harbor, we were treated to the arrival of the first two of the yachts participating in the Volvo Around the World Yacht race to arrive in NZ from Australia on their way to South America. They arrived in harbor with an escort of police boats and yachting wannabees! Not far out into the strait, we were treated to a whale perofrming for us. It was a calm crossing with just enough wind to counteract the blistering heat of the sun. We sat out on the deck for the three+ hours of the voyage. We'll stay in Picton the night, have a look around the town tomorrow, and then head for Seddon tomorrow.

Friday, 17 February: It didn't take long to have a stroll around Picton including a siesta on the waterfront. We drove on to Blenheim and then to Seddon to the home of our friends,Rob and Merodee Cameron. This is the beginning of the famous Marlborough wine area of NZ. There are vinyards everywhere. We even saw the sign for the Brancott wine estate which is where the wine came from for Laura and Jon's wedding. The Camerons moved here from Feilding to Rob's chldhood home on a farm. They have only been here 18 months, and the house is very basic. They have plans for an addition and seem very happy to be here. It is surrounded by mountains and many vineyards. It is very quiet here.

Saturday, 18 February: We just had a quiet day at the farm. I took my book and sat on the old lichen covered wooden swing for an afternoon read. It is idyllic...if you don't have to be responsible for tending the gardens and all of the other stuff that goes along with living on a farm! Tomorrow, Buzz, Max and Rob leave for a three day hike. We'll drop them off at the trailhead near Pelorus Bridge, and meet them in Nelson on Tuesday.

Sunday, 19 February: We dropped the men off at the beginning of the Pelorus Bridge track. The road to get there is, as usual, narrow, winding, unpaved, and very dusty with the occasional ford just to make things interesting. Fortunately the weather has been dry and the fords were just trickles of water across the road. On the way back to Pelorus we picked up two hitch hikers who were from South Dakota. We took them as far as Havelock which is where we are staying for two nights. The Havelock Garden Motel is situated in an old garden and is a peaceful refuge from the world. A little wine and cheese and then we'll go to Mussel Boys for dinner. Havelock is the Green Shell mussel capital of the world.

Monday, 20 February: Today we drove up the Kenepuru Road which follows the coast of the Kenepuru Sound. Once more a winding road, but this time the reward of magnificent sea vistas awaiting us as we rounded each sharp bend in the road. We drove as far as Portage, had a picnic lunch and enjoyed the view. Cathy swam, I found a tree to sit under and read my book, Merodee went for a cup of coffee. In the evening we went down to the Havelock marina and had dinner at the Slip In, a restaurant right on the water.

Tuesday, 21 February: We left the quiet of Havelock and drove to Nelson. We checked into the Waimarie Motel which, according to the description in the guide book was situated in a quiet garden setting with river views. Well, there was a small garden, and the river was over the back fence, but there was nothing quiet about the place! Oh well, we had a walk around town and then went to pick up our men at the end of the track. They arrived around 3:30PM looking quite good for having been out for three days! Buzz left his walking sticks at the track for the next person who might want them. I think that is a sign that his hiking days are over! Back to the motel, showers and a rest revived everyone. Wine, cheese and olives and then we walked into town to have dinner. The restaurant had stone grill meals. They heat a very dense stone..looks like granite..to 400 degrees C (about 900 degrees F). They bring it to the table with your meat or fish raw. Then, you can cook it to the desired doneness. It is a fun and relaxing way to have a meal. We sat at an outside table affording us the opportunity to "people watch" during dinner.

Wednesday, 22 February: We left Nelson late in the morning and drove along the Queen Charlotte Road to Picton. Once again we were dazzled by the views of the sounds and bays. Back in Picton we stayed at the same motel as we did on arrivel last week. It is a lovely place. After our usual wine,cheese and crackers on the verandah, (are you getting the theme here?) we went for a stroll into town to find a restaurnat for dinner. Back at the motel, we borrowed two movies from the large DVD collection available free to guests. We saw The Whale Rider and Angela's Ashes.

Thursday, 23 February: Robyn's Birthday. We got up easrly to be at the ferry landing at 7am. It was a cool morning. Buzz and I opted to spend the trip in the lounge while Cathy and Max sat outside on the open deck. The crossing was a bit turbulent due to the wind. We got off the ferry and out of Wellington quickly. At Paraparaumu we stopped for lunch at the Coastlands shopping mall. It was one of the first and still one of the largest American style malls in New Zealand. We drove on to Lindale where there is a tourist center of shope selling goodies made in New Zealand from books to woolens and everything inbetween. While we were there, the wind became a gale, the temperature dropped about ten degrees and the rain came down in sheets. That was our cue to get in the car and get home to Feilding.

Friday, 24 February: Joe's Birthday. Today is laundry and a trip to the Feilding Library to load my photos and send this entry . We'll walk into town to get some exercise. Here I am at the library. We met our friend Jo Rangooni when we got here. That is one of the things that draws us back time and again...knowing we could meet a friend just walking on the stret...or in the library.