Crossing to the other side.

We left Palmerston Notth early morning and headed to Wellington. It was my birthday and I got many messages from people around Auckland saying happy birthday and also telling me about the horrible weather they were having. I was feeling a bit smug because it was fine in the lower North Island... which was rather fortunate given that we were crossing Cook Strait in the afternoon.

Wellington is always beautiful on a nice day, and although it wasn't one of its best it was still good enough. This is also a place where I spent a good part of my childhood so always a bit nostalgic for me.

We drove around the bay's with the first stop at Scorching Bay. Of course Tarun had to swim despite the fact the water was rather cold.

It was only a bit further round to Seatown where I went to school and then Breaker Bay where I lived. 

We wandered down on to the rocky beach opposite my old house and Tarun inspected some of the local sea life ... Crabs and shellfish.

Over lunch at a cafe in Lyall Bay we watched the surfers, paddle boarder and the dogs playing on the beach.

We caught the 2.45pm ferry and were very glad to see the very calm water ... flat as glass!

 Heading out of Wellington we were very lucky to see two pods of dolphins..... not really close to the boat but definitely close enough to see them. 

Unfortunately our entry into Picton was spilt by drizzly rain but it was still rather nice.

 I had booked into Tombstone Backpackers.... Not the sort of place I usually stay but I thought it might be nice for Tarun to meet some other young people. It's a really good place and I'm really impressed. The grapevine outside our room provides a free extra. 

I saw some pretty young girls heading for the spa pool so suggested that Tarun join them .... Clever boy had left his swim shorts in the changing rooms at Scorching Bay!!!!

Picton is a really pretty little town and we wandered into town under a couple of umbrellas to get pizza for dinner. It is many many years since I've been here and wow, how it has changed. I thought Tarun might have been imptressed by the marina .... But what did he take a photo of??? A truck!!!!