Rhodri would like it here. And not just because of the sheep. One of the local specialities in New Zealand generally, and in Nelson in particular, is pies. They are damn good. I have eaten many of them.
I spent the first day in Nelson sorting out the thigs which you occasionally need to sort out when you are travelling: laundry, haircut, shopping. The shopping was the most urgent. I left my bag of boxer shorts in Christchurch a week ago and I've had enough of going commando.
The haircut was interesting. I booked an appointment with a pleasant elderly woman. When I turned up and and asked for my hair cut she said:
"Oh. It won't be me doing it. It'll be Kylie." And she turned to an alarmingly "alternative" looking woman with spiky pink hair. I nearly legged it. Kylie was very interested in my hair, which I had let go a bit:
"You could do something exciting and spiky with this." she suggested.
I explained that I was a chartered accountant and that nothing but short back and sides would do.
I took a day trip to Abel Tasman National park on my second day staying in Nelson. The park was lovely. I did a walk in the morning, and kayaked back in the afternoon. At the beginning of the kayaking the guide said:
"If anyone has any medical conditions, no matter how minor, tel me now."
I tpld him that I had a blister on my heel. He instantly marked me down as a "whingeing pom" and made me sit in a double kayak with him. This was good though, because it mean that he did all of the work, while I sat back and enjoyed the view.
Yesterday I left the south island and got the ferry to Wellington. Wellington is a nice city, but there isn't that much to do. And it's chucked it down ever since I got here - the weather is responding to the national mood, which is a state of mourning ever since the All Blacks got knocked out of the rugby world cup. In fact, a lot of the locals seem to be blaoming me personally for this, just becausre the referree was English. Whingeing kiwis.
Tomorrow head up north to Lake Taupo - New Zealand's largest lake - and then to Rotorua.
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