Monday turned out to be a stunningly sunny day but very windy and we had a false start because our whalewatching trip was cancelled due to the stormy seas. So we had a good day checking out the local seal colony and the local pool, while Nan and Rick battled the pacific winds yet again on the Kaikoura country golf course, fair play to them. We dined at a picnic bench on Armers beach, watching the sun go down as we tucked into fresh crayfish, prawns, scallops, whitebait and crayfish fritters and a couple of nice glasses of wine to wash it down. Definitely one of the most memorable meals of the trips so far. Up bright and early tuesday to try again for the whalewatching – and the water looked glass-calm which augured well. HA! 3 hours of incredibly deep swell, and being bumped across these high waves in pursuit of the Sperm Whale (yes thats what its called, and not surprisingly with testicles that weigh 500kg each!!). Sinead, Norrie and the kids were all a bit green... But it was all worthwhile because after a few false starts (rushing across the sea to catch a glimpse of the whale and getting there just after he had dived under – where he can stay for an hour!), we eventually got what we came for: an up close view of this magestic creature. He stayed at the surface for quite a few minutes, blowin 5m spouts of air and flaring his giant nostrils (big enough to sit a child in – who tried it I wonder?). Then slowly his back and long tail appeared and the tail fins appeared above the water before he took his dive under again. Magnificent. Back to shore and when all finally recovered from the seasickness we hit the road again – this time for Blenheim, centre of Marlborough wine region. Sinead's lovely friends Chris and Barb Barton hosted us in their gorgeous garden for afternoon tea and then looked after Hugh and Emily while we adults hit the vineyards. As far as the eye can see there are vines growing here – with the odd orchard or olive grove interspersed. Sauvignon blanc is the big product of this region and we even go to visit the vineyard where the wine was made that we had served at my 70th back in November. Finished off the day, and this excellent South Island leg of our NZ adventure, with a lovely family meal (chauffeur bus service to and from – cant beat that!!). Back to wellington now - we are on the ferry across the cook straits, via the Queen Charlotte sound - more incredible scenery here. Nan and Rick are having the usual English cup of tea and he is writing his daily postcard to his grandsons Joe and Sam - he hasnt missed a day yet.
New Zealand Fur seal
Ems with seals
Seals on Kaikoura peninsula
dad and Hugh with the seal
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Martin Rick and Nan on Kaikoura peninsula walk
whalewatching
Cook Strait Ferry trip
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