Seals, Seals and more Seals.

We again did the morning ritual and were again on the road (after a quick diesel stop and a Dick Smith stop) by 9.20am. The drive was again perfect, no traffic and after an hour we arrived at Christchurch. Alas we weren’t stopping here and carried on towards Kaikoura.

We had a quick wee stop and a change of drivers. After another hour we arrived at the coast.

The view was amazing over the turquoise water. Before no time we were spotting the NZ fur seals at the waters edge. Just sitting and basking in the sun. We didn’t stop though and just kept on for our first stop the bakery! We all got our pies and drove down to the Kaikoura lookout point.

We drove up passed the Seal Colony that inhabit the lookout and parked in the Car Park. We reversed in so we could watch the seals whilst having lunch. There was a couple of seals right by the back of the van. Dad and Ben got out to get to photos of the grumpy seals. They were quite aggressive as they took the photos so they took them and got back in the van.

After a brew we had a walk along the boardwalk looking at the seals on the way. They just didn’t mind us being there which was cool. We even got to see a baby seal just sitting under a tree, it just sat and watched us with it’s big eyes. We got some good close ups before getting back in the van and driving down to the beach for a walk.

When we got to the beach we managed to find the stone we’d left as a surprise for Mam and Dad. We’d spent the afternoon writing on stones and leaving them and then left one for Mam and Dad a month earlier ..... so weird seeing them again. We had a walk up the beach before deciding it was a nice day for a BBQ!!

Me and Ben drove to the Ohau Stream Walk as a surprise for Mam and Dad. It was further than we thought but we eventually found it and we’re so glad we did. We donned our macs as it was a bit drizzly and headed into the trees. We hadn’t told Mam and Dad anything about it so they couldn’t believe it when we crossed a bridge and saw 2 little seal pups playing in the water underneath us. So cool! Then we were seeing more and more of them as we headed upstream. Groups of 5 of them just playing and coming up to us to have a look. Then we got to the Waterfall and there was the pool full of them, Mam and Dad couldn’t believe it. It’s such a lovely place, we’re so glad we got to see and to be able to show Mam and Dad too. We stayed there for ages just watching them rolling and playing under the waterfall. Then we walked back down towards the car park, seeing more and more in the stream ... it’s such a magical place ! Even though me and Ben had seen it before it was still like we were seeing it for the first time.

We had a look at the Seal Colony across on the rocks, there was loads of them. We eventually tore ourselves away from them to get back in the van.

We called into the supermarket for some meat and beers, even though it was now raining it was still ok for a BBQ!! We parked in town and had a little look around the shops before ending our day with a pint of Monteiths !!

I’m now sitting writing this whilst Mam is manning the stirfry. Ben and Dad are over using the BBQ.

Well the Barbie was a success as per usual, we had to eat it in the camper cos it was too cold outside. We managed to get a channel tuned in on the telly so watched some programmes before calling it a night ....... wow 10pm .. our latest night yet we reckon!!