Onwards from Hanmer Springs, on the NZ equivalent of the M1 motorway, for a four hour drive through the Southern Alps through mountainous regions, wetlands and vine yards all the way to the North of South island to a place called Picton.

We came here as it is a big sailing area, and Si wanted to come here and look longingly at boats. For Tracey luckily, she had already discovered a hairdresser in Christchurch so the allure of hairdressing shops had now gone.

Picton is a little town (for you RN think of Torpoint) by the coast, and is the main route in by ferry from Wellington. Lots of backpackers and Motels with tourist shops and the essential Irish Bar.

The photo is from a walk around the harbour, with a hike well above sea leavel. For the family, this was taken about an hour after Simon got out of bed - proof that he can get his arse into gear, whilst staying in a cheapskate Backpackers motel with no tea or TV to watch.