Got up at a 7am, a misty day today and as a result the hills that surround Havelock have mysteriously disappeared. A quick breakfast and we were on the road by 8am. For some reason we managed that quicker than we did yesterday when in a rush to catch the ferry, just one of life's mysteries that....

We set off still under cloud and drove towards Blenheim a "Service Town" according to our rough guide book and we would agree. I am sure it has much to offer but it lacks what so many other towns have on first impression.

We then headed for Kaikoura we stopped half way for a coffee in the camper overlooking a long beach and watched the waves crash in between sips of drink from our own sitting room (very civilized this camper life). Then last 40 k's into Kaikoura.

Kaikoura is a very pretty town dominated by the Kaikoura mountains a branch of the Southern Alps, which comes nearly to the ocean at this point. We stopped at the Top 10 camp site there, struck camp and walked into the town.

Jackie bought some jewelry made from a shell called Paua which is a local Abalone. We walked down the beach (very English, all stones) I practiced skimming a few but I seem to have lost my touch.

We dropped into the tourist information office and inquired about scenic flights etc. But think that that will have to wait for now. Then a walk back through the town and to the camp site.

A relaxing afternoon spent around the camp (mainly because my back is particularly bad today) a swim and updating diaries, blogs and sleep.Then a spaghetti meal and a movie in.