Well the site in the Hutt Valley was lovely. It was a bit out of town but very nice. We decided we would catch a bus into Hutt City for some dinner. We walked to the bus stop and arrived just in time to see the 'Hutt Valley Flyer' disappearing down the road. Who has ever heard of a bus being on time to the second........b*****.

Oh well we didn't fancy a 30 minute wait so we jumped in the van and drove down there. Ok I know my lovely daughter and our two gorgeous grandsons will know this song 'McDonalds, McDonalds,Kentucky Fired Chicken and a Pizza Hut' etc etc That was Hutt City everything else was shut. Good job we missed the bus really.

A quick visit to the supermarket and it was back to the van for pasta and a glass of red.

Next day was just a very short drive to the ferry terminal. We drove into Wellington which is the capital of NZ. To be honest it wasn't very inspiring so we went to the terminal and sat and did some planning.

We boarded the ferry. I'm used to RoRo (roll on roll off) ferrys. This only had on way on and one way off. I should have noticed when we watched it turn and reverse into its mooring.

All the lorrys went on first, then the cars then the campers. You had to dive on and do a U turn in the parking deck. Fun and games. Most of the people driving these campers are probably s*** car drivers who have never driven anything bigger. Anyway after some entertainment we were parked...very smoothly in our case.

It was going to be a 3 hour crossing so we went up top and had a small beer. As we left Wellington it was overcast and windy.

As the sailing went on we went outside on deck. Boy was it blowy. Peoples hat were blowing everywhere. One lady tried knitting.....silly decision.Her bag blew out and the wool went everywhere.

The sea was a little choppy but it was pleasant. We both love being at sea and feeling the wind on your face. After a stretch of open water we came to Marlborough Sound.....Wow.

It is a small strait with high forest clad hills either side and small islands everywhere. I imagine this is what fjords look like. It is truly beautiful. For over an hour we stood on the top observation deck and just marvelled at the scenery.

We docked at Picton on the south island. It couldn't be less like Wellington if it tried. The sun was blazing. It is a small town with a marina and shops. Very picturesque and property prices aren't too bad !!!

We have eaten and are now back at the van. Jill has been busy planning and phoning around (on my phone!!!!).

In the next few days all being well we are going whale watching, black water rafting and jet boating yee ha.