DAY FIFTEEN -- 7TH SEPTEMBER -- WELLINGTON TO KAIKOURA

Today we were to get an early ferry across to the South Island . This already had been delayed a day so when we got news last night that there would be a further delay it was disappointing. The ferry crossing was fine only a couple of rough patches.  Henry bought me a lovely ice cream sundae (first ice cream I've had for several months). It was so good. The wait was long in the line to get on the ferry which was loaded with trucks and containers. The trip itself was about three and a half hours and we arrived safely on the other side. The light held out and we saw so many vineyards in the first few kilometres. Then some steep slopes but many still had sheep and cows roaming. The black sand beach was beautiful but eerie in the evening light. We arrived in the dark, ready to start our South Island adventure.

Black sand beach coming into Kaikaura. these are standard images as it was too dark when we passed these to take photos. It was eerie though in the fading light.

We had to hurry out to dinner as we were all tired and many of the restaurants close early as it is not the tourist season. A beer and some nice steak/fish and chips did the trick. we had already left our bags in the motel ... and turned on the electric blanket....ah...heaven as it hasn't got above 9 degrees today!