Lionesses and Seals!

Monday 28 July

What a long day! And a million photos to share!

The alarm went off at 4am so we could watch the Lionesses in the Euro final against their nemesis, Spain. I watched the first half then slept through the second… woke as the penalties were being taken - which was a good strategy as I avoided a lot of angst! Yay for the awesome English women who lifted the cup again!

Popped out to the loo after the presentation and realised it was perfect timing for a beautiful sunrise over Kaikōura so grabbed my camera and set out to witness the show at the nearby beach.

Louis woke as I came back to Banjo an hour later and we packed up and hit the road north - pausing at the Ohau point to watch the seals and their cubs - there were soooo many of them!

SH1 up the coast was a stunning drive under blue skies but shrouded in misty sea spray for much of the way.

After Kekerengu we headed inland to Blenheim then on to Picton where we’d decided to park at the Crow Tavern (missed a trick, Crow Bar is a much better name!) Free parking about 5 minutes from the ferry terminal and use of the pub's bizarrely decorated toilets - excellent!

After a siesta for Louis and a wander round town for me, we repaid the tavern’s hospitality by buying a pint or two, playing pool and ordering a box of potato wedges to go with our Banjo Burgers for dinner.

Set another early alarm and went to bed worrying about the issues with our house in BHB 🥺