We left Kaikoura in the middle of a storm, hoping we would emerge into blistering sunshine once we reached Nelson, and amazingly we did. We spent the evening preparing for our two day trip into Abel Tasman. We decided against taking a camping stove and so prepared enough food for the two days and went to bed having completely re packed Greg's big bag with everything we'd need for two days camping. The next morning we woke to the sound of rain...the storm had found us again!

Not deterred we set out in the Grape to where we hoped the weather would clear and we could kayak off into the sunset. No such luck. We arrived at the kayak companies office to be greeted by the news that it was not safe to let anyone out onto the water. We were given an alternative itinerary which involved taking a water taxi into the park, then hiking and staying in a hut overnight. Hopefully, weather permitting, we could kayak the following day. In order to make the water taxi on time we suddenly had a mad rush on our hands after all the careful preparation. Greg's bag was, once again, completely emptied and repacked to accommodate more wet weather gear and ditch the camping supplies no longer needed as we'd be staying in a hut.

We climbed aboard the water taxi, a boat on a trailer, and were driven through town to the waters edge. We knew the sea would be rough and so we both took some of the special sea sickness pills we'd picked up from the pharmacy in Gisborne. They were the same as Claire had tried before only with a couple of extra ingredients, but we weren't entirely sure what. The water taxi was definitely a 'ride' of sorts, the waves towered above the boat and we seemed to be launched over each one before dramatically thudding down onto the sea between each wave. It was the kind of weather that back home we would have abandoned a trip to Sainsburys. After about 20 minutes the engine suddenly began to lose power. We gingerly pulled into the nearest vaguely sheltered bay (narrowly avoiding capsizing as the waves pounded our starboard side) and the driver informed us the engine had broken. We were rescued by another water taxi and continued our journey. By this point the sea was getting rougher, the storm was setting in and we were further out to sea, double this with the sea sickness pills kicking in and we were having the time of our lives. We giggled our way to our drop off point, both high as kites smacking our lips because of dry mouth.

This euphoric feeling, however, did not last. After an hour and a half of hiking in pouring rain and trekking through a knee high estuary, we were grateful to reach the hut where the sensible walkers who'd stayed in today had lit a fire.

The next day the sunshine and calm waters were back. As we waited on the golden sand for our kayak guide, Greg managed to get a bee stuck up his t-shirt. He got away with only 2 stings which he rapidly instructed Claire to suck. Unfamiliar of this treatment method and unsure how to react, Claire obliged...it worked. We then mounted our trusty steed for the day and paddled away, anxiously leaving our bag on the beach where the water taxi drivers would (hopefully) take it to our finish point.

We had an amazing day kayaking through clear waters and alongside seals. The lunch that was supplied even included a chocolate brownie. By the time we clambered out of the kayak we were both exhausted and keen to get back to our hostel in Nelson for a shower and a snooze. Five minutes down the road we realised we'd not picked up our bag and had to turn back. Unfortunately, on return to the kayak centre, it quickly became apparent that our bag had not made it back, it had spent the day basking in the sunshine on the beach. It was now the evening, water taxis had ceased and the beach was un-manned. After a profuse apology we headed South bag less.

We spent the journey mourning the loss of our belongings, especially a new amazing socket adaptor, monopoly deal and our rotting trainers, before arriving at the hostel late and disheartened. Amazingly our bag was delivered to the hostel the next morning, avec two free t-shirts. We threw it into the Grape before heading Southbound, Claire vigorously scratching the hundreds of sandfly bites she'd somehow acquired.