After offloading hunger pangs suggested we should visit a chocolate factory. This had an overwhelming choice (but interestingly not salt impregnated dark chocolate to go with a Shiraz – see last years South Africa trip). Almost next door was a strawberry farm. This was a hydroponic set up and as a treat we were allowed to pick our own. (As you can easily pull out the whole plant the public are generally not allowed to pick their own.) Behind Helen you can see a box of bees which are on call to pollinate the flowers.
After all that eating and drinking we followed the next day with a long walk around the headland to Waikawa. We were rewarded with some great views including this one of Picton harbour.
We walked down to a beach to practice skipping stones on the water.
The three hour walk was one way so we had a late lunch at the pub at Waikawa harbour and then had the challenge of getting back to Picton. We rang for a water taxi and the trip back which although cold was a great relaxing way to end the day.
Mind you the children had more fun in the bow. It may look calm but this was a speed boat and they enjoyed being bumped around.
We left Picton travelling around the coast on the Queen Charlotte Highway which follows the weaving coastline to Nelson.
The views on this stretch were awesome and were enhanced by the late afternoon light.
The caravan site at Picton was alongside the water and across the bay were snow capped mountains.
Even hanging out the washing was enjoyable in these surroundings.
Especially when this was followed by some cheeses and drinks with the gang.
Each weekend we met up with the team for a few days to watch the match and relay our travel adventures. Even though we were travelling together Helen (Gran), Sonia and Aimee still had things to talk about….
The view from the site was brilliant and kept changing depending on the time of day. Late evening…..
Early morning……
Or even when finishing off a ten year embroidery project…
The site was one of the largest in New Zealand, but spread over a long peninsula so it never felt crowded, even when the Crusade arrived. These were some 50 ‘vans that were part of a competition run by Qantas in supporting the Wallabies. Winners had two weeks in the ‘vans to see the matches and see some of New Zealand. Not all were rugby tragics but most seemed to enjoy the wineries.
One of the nearby wineries was Waimea. Lunch looked over the vines to the mountains so was not to be rushed.
Just up the road we participated in some afternoon sampling at Neudorf.
while the boys helped backfill some plastic paving mesh to increase the parking area.
As this was the last time the team was going to be together we had the compulsory team photo prior to going to the match and watching Australia beat a spirited USA team 67-5.
Followed by the even more compulsory dinner. The Waterfront Café and Bar allowed us to watch the sun set over the water while enjoying some fine dining. Here we all committed to doing it again for the 2015 World Cup in England.
The two Halling ‘vans travelled South along the West coast to the glaciers. The calm weather enabled some wonderful reflective shots. We walked both the San Joseph and Fox Glaciers.
Michael also managed a tandem sky dive. Sonia and I tried to watch him landing but the NZ Gods decided to step in and dramatically slowed our trip to the drop zone so we arrived a little too late. He had a great time and we were the first to watch the video of his dive.
We travelled across to the East for an overnight stop at Christchurch. Originally we had planned to start and finish our trip here as this was to be the Wallabies base. However the earthquakes changed everything. We undertook a bus trip around the city and despite substantial news coverage of the original ‘quake and numerous after shocks we really had no appreciation of the extent of the damage.The city will take many years to rebuild and still a year later after the first earthquake the public is not allowed into the central city area which is fenced off. On the plus side many of the occupants have a positive approach to the rebuilding works.
Although we took many photos – the two below demonstrate that old or new made no difference – all suffered.
Travelling North up the East coast we focused on seeing some sea life and headed for Kaikoura which is the base for Sperm Whale watching. En route we saw a number of fur seals. 
Helen decided that her sea legs were not up to a boat trip and happily decided to look after Aimee. So the boys and Sonia took off for a close up and personal trip on a very rocking and closed in catamaran (we were allowed outside when the vessel was close to the wales). Sperm whales are amazing animals, some stats:
16 – 19 metres long
Some 20 Tons in weight
Have a large void in the head filled with an oil. (Old sailors were somewhat awry with their biology thinking this was sperm!) The oil is cooled to sink and warmed by blood to rise.
The whale dives to some 1000 metres (lasting over 30 minutes) and then returns to the surface for about 15 minutes to re-oxygenate their blood.
They can be differentiated from other whale as they have one blow hole which sprays water some 45 degrees forward. I have a video but could not upload it so here are a series of pictures:
Back on land and just North of Kakoura is an unusual stream where mother seals take their pups while they go out to sea and hunt. Upstream is a pond and small waterfall. It is a unique location and the pups are quite happy playing in the water and when drying out playing with humans.
Aimee thought they were great until they got a little too close so Mum helped out, whereas Kellan and Baedden quickly moved up to higher ground.
After all that excitement sleeping did not come easy…
The last note for this trip has to be the quarter finals against South Africa. Each team (as with all matches) received a local greeting.
The match was very close however Australia did just prevail 11-9. We headed home after the quarters so had to watch the semi final match which was lost against New Zealand on TV.
A truly wonderful trip around a magnificent country. We now need to plan the 2015 England trip – A country mansion. 
