Monday 5/11, to the coast

And finally back across the mountains to the coast, and north. Right now we're in what one of our many map books calls a "funky" campervan park. Very nice place, particularly appreciated after a day of driving. There's fresh bread tomorrow morning at 8:00!

Last night we stayed at an animal park at Waimete. Nice campervan park, but bloody cold with strong winds. The owner was going out to hunt pigs in the surrounding hills!

We spent some time exploring the town in the morning--they had a wool factory shop that sold things made of merino wool and possum, at very good prices. We had a good time there. Possums are pests here, so we look at as helping the New Zealand environmental efforts! Possum is much softer than I knew, and also very warm because it's tubular with air pockets. We've been in very cold weather, so warmth is welcome. Polar fleece is also wonderful!!!! We've been pretty toasty, actually, though going to the toilet at night (we refuse to use the toilet in the van) can get pretty chilly. We deliberately started in the South Island because it was only going to get colder the closer it gets to winter here.

Tomorrow up to the Nelson area on the north coast. We'll spend 2-3 days there, then head over to the North Island.