Sunday 21th
Paraparaumu – Kaikoura

A short diary entry today. We made a fairly early start for the drive to Wellington and to the ferry terminal where we arrived with heaps of time to spare. The weather after starting off reasonable turned to rain with a strong southerly wind about 5 minutes after setting off and the rain continued right up to embarkation on the Lynx ferry. The ferry staff warned us that it might be a rough crossing and even suggested that there was a possibility of cancellation, but the boarding took place on time and we set off without delay. It was fairly rough in the Strait, but closer to the Sounds the sea state eased considerably and of course it was flat once inside the Tory Channel and for the run down to Picton. At one stage we thought we might stay at Blenheim, but as we got off the boat at about 2:45 we thought we may as well drive to Kaikoura and stay 2 nights there and have a rest from all day driving.

At the entrance to Tory Chanel. The ferry passes within 50 metres of the shore

Turbulent seas at the entrance to the Channel

Just inside the Heads

Leaving the entrance and racing down towards Picton