Havelock to Kaikoura

After an early breakfast (more fruit salad and scrambled egg) we packed up the car ready to leave for the drive to Kaikoura.  We thanked kaern for her hospitality and set off, Alison driving down on the SH6 through the mountains towards Blenheim.
We noticed a number of vineries on the road into Blenheim so decided to stop at a "French Vinery" Georges Michel, where we had a tasting. Since Alison was driving, Pete had the tasting and she had a sipping. We mentioned that we came from Guernsey, and had just come from Havelock, to the lady serving us wondered if we had stayed at the Motel, as Karen's daughter was their accountant!  Some coincidence!
We particularly liked the Syrah, so purchased one bottle, plus some "unbreakable picnic wine glasses" and went on our way.  the route was very scenic and in many places ran between the railway line and the beach or vice versa, but unfortunately we seemed to have brought the misty weather with us from Havelock - the temperature was just 14 degrees outside!
The next stop was The Store, a large restau on the coast about half way to Kaikoura, where we had a coffee and cake for "lunch".
the road twisted and turned as the railway line popped in and out of tunnels until we came upon the NZ fur seal colony on the rocks at the side of the road.
We called in at the Whale Watching station on our way, so thet we knew where to go in the morning.  Some of the sailings had been cancelled because of the poor weather, so fingers crossed for tomorrow!
We reached our guest house again withour any navigation issues and were shown our room, George, which had a magnificent terrace looking out over the bay (which was unfortunately still covered in mist).
A wlk down the road took us unto the township where we we disappointed to see that the "beach" was steeply shleved shingle, and definitely not for swimming!  We found an Italian reasturant where we had some pasta / rissotto before walking back up a path to the Lemon tree.
failed to do the blog or send any emails as the internet speed was pedestrian, so this is being done the following morning, without any pictures as the speed is still very slow.
will retry the emails!