From Wellington to Whalewatching

We picked up our 4 man campervan from Maui in Wellington and headed straight off for the Picton ferry (after loading up at Helen's house. Fabulous crossing under blue skies and calm seas (lucky for us). A quick loading of supermarket groceries and then we headed down to our campsite in Kaikoura. This is such a beautiful town and peninsular setting which we remember well from our last visit. After baked beans on toast and a good night's sleep we set off for the Whalewatch station under a hot sun and calm wind - to our surprise we were informed that small children were advised not to sail due to very rough seas out at the whale spotting area (where the continental plate drops into a trench about 1700m deep) - so we decided that Alister should go alone and we could wait until the next day (where we had already made a reserve booking) to see if we could all go. Alister's trip was fanatastic with 5 close up sightings of Sperm whales.

In the afternoon we went over to the seal colony on the peninsular head - which the children enjoyed. In the evening we turned our camper into a delux restaurant and enjoyed crayfish and green lipped mussels (all on 4 little burners and a grill). Due to a mechanical fault in the campervan - discovered by Alister - a short visit to a mechanic was made, a complaint filed to Maui and the next day (Wednesday) a replacement van and a bottle of wine was driven up from Christchurch. Early on Wednesday morning we all managed to get on to the Whale watch sailing under some grey skies - we were able to view 3 whales which was very exciting for all of us (although Juliette and even Alister felt a bit seasick - Matteo was in great shape and very enthusiastic). In the afternoon we drove down (in our "new" van) from sunny Kaikoura along a beautiful coastal road to a very wet and windy Christchurch and on to the magnificent Banks peninsula. We spent a night in the wilderness (ie NOT in a campsite) and the wind and rain was quite scary (except the children loved it - we played cards and snakes and ladders). The next morning was windy but quite sunny and we went for a long walk near pigeon bay and we were introduced to about 2000 sheep!!. Now I am in the very pretty "French township" of Akaroa (where Delphine has just seen the doctor to get medicine for tonsillitis). Otherwise we are all well and very happy. Got to go - I am in an internet cafe and the others are waiting (Matteo wants to go fishing). Tomorrow we start heading to Dunedin.