Final Leg

Monday 8th April

We made the decision as we travelled north, to try and cross Cook Strait that night. We hoped to visit a second cousin of mine on the Kapiti Coast the following day, so an earlier start from Wellington would suit better.

With that in mind we drove straight to the ferry terminal where they were very helpful about changing our booking to an evening sailing. We killed a couple of hours wandering around Picton, then went back and got in the queue ready to board.

A great treat! On board we 'ate out' for the first time. My favourite, Fish 'n Chips out of a carton. We had a very calm uneventful crossing. Doug had the foresight to book a motel ahead. He emailed Rob who 'googled' up a motel in Johnsonville, then rang and made a booking on his cellphone. We were pleased that he did as they were shutting for the night but they kindly left a unit open with the key inside and light on.

Gerty Garmin took us straight there when we disembarked at 9:15 pm. It was so good not to have to unpack and erect a tent!

We were away 9:00 ish in the morning, and once more relied on Gertrude to take us out of Johnsonville and on our way home.

After a short stop to meet a second cousin at Raumati Beach, we set off on the long trip back up to David & Ruth's at Motuoapa.



Once again it was a lovely day - so different from when we came down three weeks ago. Mt. Ruapehu and Mt. Ngauruhoe looked spectacular rising up from the stark desert terraine. Very different from the South Island mountains, but just as impressive.

We reached Motuoapa at about 3 o'clock. It was good to see David and Ruth again and catch up on all the things that we had done over the last three weeks.

We were underway again before 9:00 am and finally reached Manurewa early afternoon.

It has been a great trip - only rain 2 nights in Blenheim. We were able to camp for 14 nights - 12 in a row which was character building and extremely healthy! The Land Rover didn't miss a beat. We met 2 cousins, one of whom I hadn't seen since childhood, and a second cousin that I had never met before.