I have thoroughly enjoyed staying at Nelson. It was a lovely little city (though I'd class it as a town) and apart from our last day there the weather was stunning. Well we certainly kept ourselves busy. On Thursday we wanted to investigate the city but just found a good pub got drunk. Then on Friday we had a day out in Abel Tasman National Park. If you remember, I'd already kayaked here and was hoping to go back for some more + walking. Well we just decided to spend some time tramping on the track and it was great and exhausting. We got dropped off at Torrent Bay and was walking back to Mauharu and with a high tide on our hands no shortcuts so we did 16ks and in just over 4 hours (pretty impressive I'd say) and that included stopping for our homemade sarnies, and visting a couple of bays. We even got back to where we were being picked up about 1.5 hours early so of course we had a couple of drinks why waiting for the bus. Exhausted we spent the night watching telly and eating shortbread. Saturday was another great day for weather and up early we went to Nelson market where we tasted and then purchased honey wine (not made from grapes but honey) and then got picked up for our afternoon on Stonehurst Farm and horsetrekking. Now as you know I've never touched a horse let alone been on one. So there I am in my gear waiting for my little horse to turn up and I get a giant called Kane (actually I was quite shocked how big he was and think I was expecting a donkey). But Kane was a gentle giant and looked after me but boy after 2.5 hours trekking through woods and rivers in the saddle was I in pain that night (soft cushions all round for both Erica and I). So Sunday and we did what we do best - yep another wine tour. Well you have to try the wines of the region as it gives you a great insight into the area and the people and... (oh, blow excuses I like wine...). We visited 5 wineries, drunk tons of rather good wine (Sav Blancs, Pinot Noirs and even some good Reislings). We even had a schnapps tasting session (can't remember much about that though). Then back to trampers with our purchases which we proceeded to drink whilst teaching everyone there to play the "who am I game" before falling into our beds realsing that our earlier pain from horsetrekking had completely vanished (strange that.) So yesterday we said our goodbyes to Mick, Sharon and Alan at Trampers Rest (I loved staying here it really is the best backpackers I've been in) and made our way by bus to Picton and said bye-bye South Island as we made our way on a ferry to Wellington and the North Island. So here we are in Wellington just for a couple of days. Not really explored much yet so all I can tell you is that it's pretty windy here. Today is shopping and orientation, then sightseeing tomorrow, then Erica and I say goodbye as she heads off to Auckland. And me? Well I think I'm going to look at doing a bit of magic to get me around. Bye everyone, have fun at home (I hear it's finally warming up there). xxx