The South Island NZ

Behind Jeremy, fading into the distance, is the capital of NZ, Wellington. We were on board a Bluebridge ferry called "Santa Regina(?)" and, naturally it was blowing a gale. Fortunately the wind was from astern (that's a nautical term for from behind ;-) The journey down to Wellington was pleasureable. We stopped off at a DOC camp site in the hills south of Lake Taupo. It was very cold possibly because of the altitude.

This is our first site on South Island called Robin Hood Bay. The authorities did not know why it had that name. I guess there was not a Yorkshire person on the committee. Again we stayed in a DOC (Department of Conservation) campsite in the right hand corner of the bay. We swam, bathed in the small river (Very Loch Na Keal) and rocked all night in the continuing gale! The following day we picked up a solar shower and towel left by our camping neighbours (they did not leave a forwarding address). After a long walk round the bay we swam and had a long hot shower standing under a tree. Well, Kathy was standing - I was bending. And so off we go south to Blenheim and Marlborough Wine Country, but we think we'll give the wine tasting a miss as we can't agree who'll drive afterwards.