Nelson

Nelson is the sunniest place in NZ. However as NZ is going through it's worst summer for 35 years that doesn't mean much. It has a beautiful little river running through it, a fair amount of shops, where E bought a fleece (needed) and a black top to go with the dress (hope it still fits) for the party in England. It also is the centre of NZ, which had to be climbed to. It was a sunny day but rained at the top. It even boasts a cinema where E&K saw "The lovely bones". A very nice film dear said the lady. E was still shaking when she got home. Left Nelson on a sunny morning. There is a routine now to the moving days. E gets up, does a few stretch exercises, goes out for a walk or a jog, showers and gets the breakfast things out noisily. K stirs, gets up and they eat. K starts to clear away but E says no, check out is 10, I'll do it. K disappears into the bathroom and emerges 35 min later smelling of lynx or something. During this time E has packed the dry food bag, the freezer bag and tidied everything else. K checks that nothing is forgotten and lifts everything into the boot. E drives the morning shift, K the afternoon. From Nelson They drove to Linkwater and stayed 4 nights. It is close to the Queen Charlotte track and you can access the track at several points. 2 days were spent on this track, it is easy to walk and the most beautiful scenery. As always. Into Picton where the ferry for Wellington leaces is about 16km. There are about 216 bends along the road so it takes a while to negociate. Had to drive in as there was no mobile connection in Linkwater, it is just hills, cows and sheep. And the yellowhammer. E finally caught him in the binoculars