We’ve been reading blogs penned by others to get some tips on New Zealand routes, places to visit etc. We’re therefore struck by how useless this Blog is going to be for anyone trying to seek out facts and details to help plan their own trip. Watch out dear reader…facts ahoy coming up!!

We were reaching the end of our North Island jaunt and decided to break up a long journey in a little place called Martinborough. Like the rest of NZ all shops except the supermarket closed at 4:30, assuming that is they opened at all because it is ‘winter’. Should you ever find yourself in Martinborough I can promise you that the Penang curry in the Thai restaurant is far better than one might expect looking at their plastic menus. And I’d definitely recommend nicking a good handful of the complimentary jelly-beans on the counter. See I’ve already bored myself with all these facts!!

We’ve been native campers now for almost 2 weeks. We are proud holders (little bit embarrassed) of our Top 10 campsite membership card. Hot showers and occasional hairdryers sold it for me alongside discounts at campsites and beyond (I am a changed woman!!). 

Now by this point we’d already had a few minor camper van issues. A broken fridge which meant we had to take a diversion back to Auckland on our way down from the Bay of Islands to get the van swapped. A leaking window seal which we discovered on a very wet and windy night in Rotorua… of course it had to be above daddy’s side of the bed. Then a chipped windscreen thanks to a speeding oncoming truck. 

On hearing this you probably think we’d had our run of bad luck. After all bad things are supposed to happen in three’s.

The guide book warned of the difficulty of parking in Wellington city centre but our confidence of finding somewhere was high so we gave it a shot. Four car parks and several laps of Wellington’s one way system later our good tempers were beginning to wear thin. Just as we were about to give up daddy spotted some empty spaces in the Westpac stadium car park. Yes the ceiling looked low but the van seemed just fit under, until… crunch! Imagine the scene, carefully reversing out of the car park then scurrying around trying to pick up the pieces of the shattered roof vent/sky light. 

A 1ft square hole in the roof is not ideal in spring in New Zealand when rain is an almost daily occurrence. The campervan company called an ‘error of judgement’? Let’s just say that the observant hotel man was dead right when he said our van was unusually tall. Oops!!!

The Carey’s came to our rescue and offered us refuge for the evening. They asked if we wanted to stay with them or in the van and Lucy practically chained herself to their sofa. A real sofa…yay!!!

Mike and family were beacons of joy and we can’t thank them enough for their hospitality, generosity, food, wine, bed, sofa…gaffer tape and step ladder. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you to the Carey’s for looking after us – we are indebted to you big style. 

Other than the ‘error of judgement’ we liked Wellington. Craft beer assisted with overcoming shock and the weather was beautiful. We walked up to the Mount Victoria viewpoint and had the most glorious vista of the city. We also visited Te Papa the amazing museum and like the rest of NZ we are delighted to inform you that their long black coffee and muffins are top notch. 

With trepidation we boarded the ferry to the South Island. I need not have worried, there were no low ceilings for us to drive into and Baby Barrett slept for a good chunk of the journey…in Daddy’s arms. 

Our first glimpse of the South Island suggests it is a stunner like everyone said. We can’t wait to explore further