Wellington to Christchurch

This morning was another early start, (though it was a lot earlier then I planned due to one of my room mates getting up at 5 something and turning on the lights in the bathroom, and leaving the bathroom door open to light up the whole dorm). the ferry was at 8.30am, and the shuttle was 45 minutes before this. The ferry ride was actually fairly smooth (other then when they told me they had been expecting me on the sailing yesterday - even though my ticket said today!). The weather was apparently bad in the cook straight, so the closed the upper deck, and confined people to inside, it seemed pretty smooth to me though.

The ferry cruised into Picton about noon ish, and the landscape was amazing. It looked really great. I had about 45 minutes to wander around Picton before hopping on the train to Christchurch. Picton was quaint, but had a fabulous quilting shop that Mom would have loved, (it's either that, or it's the first one I've seen since I arrived in New Zealand) On the train I was sat next to a very enthusiastic ex-violin teacher from Essex. She is in love with all things new Zealand, especially picton, or maybe she's just in love with everything, including asking asinine questions. There was also a fantastic prosaic Maori lady sitting at the same table for part of the journey - she gave me free food. When asked by the violin teacher lived she replied "in a house...with a roof... and walls"

This evening I arrived in Christchurch, and I've realised that when the BBH handbook gives a hostel a rating of 57% - I should pay attention to that rating! I'll be moving on soon I think. I'm not sure whether that will be in Christchurch or if I will head further south... It certainly won't be staying at the same place that I'm at tonight!