A Big One tonight....

Well a bumper one for you today. A cornucopia of information if you will.
I had a good crossing from Wellington to Picton on the Kaitiki. Funnily enough when I was boarding the ferry I looked up at the hull and there in raised letters painted over were the words “Pride of Cherbourg”. I can’t imagine which route that vessel originally used! It’s a 3 hour crossing over the Cook Strait, and while the most of it is your standard up-and-down, you get about an hour of the most beautiful scenery. These are the Marlborough Sounds and the ferry has to slow to a crawl to conserve the wildlife in this area.
After that I got my new car. A Toyota Echo. This car, whilst smaller than the Yaris, with less acceleration does have the advantage that this thing will slow down before the onset of old age. I then had a drive down to Christchurch. When I left Picton I was told that after Blenheim (the next town) there was nothing for 90 minutes. I stupidly thought that they were joking. Oh no! It was just as well I’d had a good breakfast because sure enough 90 minutes after leaving civilisation I came into Kaikoura. Which was about ten houses and a corner shop serving some very suspect sarnies. Luckily there was a Subway in the next town so I managed to eat something before I wasted away. I got my first confirmed road kill!!! I think it was a possum and it ran straight in front of my car. I couldn’t swerve and as I looked in the mirror I saw its head roll away. It was a but unnerving but given the amount of animal pizzas I’ve seen over the last week, I wasn’t too concerned, and by all accounts they’re a pest in this country
I took a recommendation from Lonely Planet when I got to Christchurch and went to a little place called Sumner and found a place called Mariners Bar. It was very basic, but I had a double bed, and en suite bathroom, and most importantly it was at the right price. It came to about £24 for the night, so after being up for 12 hours I was more than happy to pay that.
I went for a curry last night, and again I got an absolute bargain (around £13 for a starter, main and 2 beers). I wasn’t sure about the spices they used as I asked for medium hot. What I actually got was a curry hot enough to strip paint!! It was tasty, but I’ve paid for it today. Say no more.
I made Queenstown in six hours today which was good going. The roads, and scenery down here were truly amazing. For about 2 hours I had a view of plains and scrub with a backdrop of snow capped mountains. I passed lakes with water as blue…well I can’t describe. .
Since getting here, I’ve done nothing apart from Check-in have quick walk, then go for a swift one. I’m going for a shower now, then Ill find somewhere for a nice meal ,and a drinkypoos.
Tomorrow brings what it brings. I’m making no plans, so I think its gonna be a lazy one
Until next we meet
M
AAAAHHHHHHH Blogger is playing up. Yet again no photos. I'll get them on here ASAP!!!!