South Island - Sunshine, Off Roading and Kayaking

We arrived on the South Island on Monday. The strong winds of the previous few days had cleared and we had a beautiful crossing through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Our first stop (being Kerridges) was the Saint Claire winery. We have been drinking their wine for years in the Summertown Wine Bar, so to sit in amongst their vines drinking a bottle of their Sauvignon in the sun was a very surreal experience. Of course, we couldn't leave without replenishing our wine racks, so we headed up along the coast laden down with clinking wine bottles!

Along the winding road between Picton and Nelson we had stunning views of the Sounds and stumbled upon a perfect campsite right on the shore. We had a BBQ and campfire and lightened the load of wine a little!

Next day was Nelson, the place with the most amount of sunshine in New Zealand. Which Nikky loved! The town was nicer than many of the others we have been to. About two hours drive further up the coast, we found an amazing campsite on the beach in Golden Bay with a great cafe/restaurant that we have been to three times in two days! (Thanks Dad!)

We decided to stay here for a while and explore the area. We are near to the town of Takaka, an old hippy community with brightly painted shop fronts selling organic food and floaty clothes! The girls love shopping here!

Yesterday we took a drive into the Abel Tasman national park, discovered by one of Nikky's dutch ancestors! What looked like a relatively normal road on the map turned out to be the best driver EVER!

Ignoring the "Not suitable for Caravans" sign, Kerridge senior led the way onto a dirt track that twisted and winded its way through the mountainous national park. The road was so narrow at times that the campers barely fitted through and we occasionaly lost sight of the car in front as the dust was whipped up around us. Ignoring more warning signs about landslides and narrow lanes, we ended up crossing two rivers (see photos...but don't tell the hire company!) before ending up inside the park in a nice little bay. We all breathed a sigh of relief that we had made it! Realising we had to take the same road all the way back, we refrained from wine at lunch this time!

This morning, we said goodbye to the Kerridge Seniors (+Sis) for a week as they head south ahead of us. Taking advantage of the sunny morning, we rented a double kayak for a few hours and paddled into the national park. The water was crystal clear and we stopped on a little beach until the kayak owner came paddling out behind us to warn us that a storm was breweing offshore and we needed to come back in!

We will probably leave here tomorrow morning, but aren't sure exactly where to. We are heading south slowly and enjoying this amazing country, so wherever we end up will no doubt be awesome!