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Tuesday 1st. It was one of the hardest farewells today when we had to say goodbye to Conny and Mick. We have so loved being with them, with Conny bringing her own touch of Switzerland to New Zealand. 

We drove along the rest of Queen Charlotte Drive to Picton. Everyone had told us to be careful of the windy road but that the views were tremendous. Well, all I can say is that yesterday's trip was far windier and just as stunning. 

Just before we got to Picton we had a good view of the lumber wharf where timber gets shipped off to China. 

Picton is a busy town being the main ferry terminal for North Island. 

Here we are waiting in the queue to board ship. 

On board and watching the preparations to cast off. 

Now we're heading out through the islands on our way to North Island. 

Goodbye South Island. 

Hello North Island. 

Looks a bit gloomy but that's more my photographic skills than the day itself. 

Of course, when we came off the boat it was straight into rush hour traffic. Not used to that, and not used to going at 100kph almost straight off. Again we are on SH1. As we neared Porirua we knew that we needed to turn off the highway but the map sort of indicated that there might be an alternative exit. But there wasn't! So we went on a couple of km., turned round and came back to try again. OK, managed the exit all right but then had to sort out which way to go after that. First hoot of the day! Eventually found the road we needed but it was off the roundabout we had just exited. Pulled over to sort out where to go now. Second hoot of the day! Managed to turn and go off the correct exit at the roundabout, up a hill, round a bend and then realised that we should have taken a right turn. Pulled over to sort out the map - third hoot of the day! Went back, found the correct turn and then found our B&B. I dunno, six weeks on South Island and I got hooted twice, one hour on North Island and I get hooted three times. Is it me? And before you answer, that was a rhetorical question. No comments please.