Picton > Kaikoura
Another beautiful day, and off southwards through the vineyards of the Marlborough wine-growing region (we passed Montana's HQ). We had considered stopping off at Blenheim after Picton, but it wasn't as pretty as the name... so just bought bread and milk from the supermarket before beating a hasty departure (the lady on the checkout's grandfather was from Liverpool though).
The scenery was really something else, and when we saw the sea it was the most brilliant shade of blue. As the road (and single track railway) hugged the coastline it was fairly easy for us to pull over and go paddling after a quick hop over the tracks and dash across the pebble strewn beach... although I could easily imagine orcas diving up the beach for a quick snack of tourist. I put my feet in, anyway
So lunch was served in the van against the most amazing backdrop, before completing our drive to Kaikoura. I was struck by how much my Dad would've loved this place, and could've imagined him driving along in our van - even Catherine and I are slowly converting to this non-townie way of life.
 
At our campsite the snow-capped mountains are in the background, and the smell of the sea is everywhere (kind of like New Brighton... only different!). The campsite is nice, the sun is shining and after conceding defeat and stocking up to prepare our own dinner tonight (with *vegetables*), we were again outsmarted, because despite it's small size, Kaikoura has lots of restaurants. So not only did we have lattes in the Cafe Encounter, but also had dinner at the Crayfish Pot (Yes, I even had crayfish - and was definitely reminded of marine biology dissections at university). Dinner was doubley good because they brought out a big box of toys for James - when he wasn't shovelling in food, he made helicopters on the floor and read about Pooh Bear.
Tomorrow it's whale watching for me (6.15am), so I've bought an alarm clock especially.
Oh, and we're still struggling to get LAN Internet access...
5:45:38 PM 
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