Well its half way over booooo. I could stay here for ever. We waved goodbye to wellington and got on the kaitaki ferry. Its the largest ferry in NZ waters with room for 1600 passengers and 600 cars on 3 decks. We got the lounge and free breakfast woot. Sailing across Cook strait the journey was about 3hrs long.

Into Picton and off we go. Heading down the coast through Marlbourough country. And we know what that means lol. Lets drop some names….2 rivers, Brancote estate, cloudy bay. The list goes on. So we wended our way up vine surrounded roads into the heart of the Brancote estate. Wonderful countryside. Walked up the hill to try some sauvignons and pinots. And not the lesser stuff sold to us brits. Over 600,000 vines at Brancote, mainly sauvignon and all replanted in the 80s. With grafting they can last 40 yrs plus and they number each one so they know which part of the vineyards the grapes come from. Wobbled a bit back onto the bus and onto a chocolate making factory. What more can I say.

A Trek down the coast past seals lounging on the rocks after a hard day and into Kaikoura. Went to the local pub for pie & chips and to many beers. Think I might give 7am breakfast a miss.