south island day one two and three

we woke in the morning and drove hundred yards to the ferry. boarding was fun. we went on the bottom with the trucks. the ride was rocky but fun. we played cards and drank coffee. we arrived in picton to pouring cold rain. we found a great bakery and had lunch.

on the road we got. when we arrived in kaikoura , we found a surf contest going on , so we stayed and watch. coming into town we found the seal colony and laurie fell in love. baby seals are cute.

they also smell.

found our campsite and made dinner. we ate the last of our fish and read up on news and e-mail.

in the morning laurie surfed mangamanu. she got some great rights and was the only girl out. it was too cold for me, so i read my book and took pictures. we then went fishing wear i caught a shark. not a big one. only about foot and half. we then went back to our campsite and laid low. it was freezing. The next day we woke up and went back to the surf spot. no one was out and the wind was howling . we found a waterfall and hiked back to it. In the water fall were a hundred baby seals playing in the current and waterfall. they were so cute. we watched them sliding down the rocks and playing around. laurie was in seal heaven. she wanted one to get in the van. we then went back to kaikoura and decided to leave. we headed south towards christ church.

we found a little cafe where i had a toasted cheese sandwhich with spaghetti and laurie had a toasted bagel with her choosings on it. they were both delicious. we got to christchurch and went right to the surf spots. they did not look very good. so we headed back to our campsite. had a great dinner and went to bed. its now freezing. i mean 32 degrees freezing.

today we woke up and checked out the spots. we went back over to the other side of the bay. it was low tide and not looking very good.
i found out today my 96 year old nona has passed away. she loved my travels around the world, and always loved the post cards i would send. She is fantastic. I called home and wanted to say hello to everyone. she had been holding on for as long as she wanted. I guess it was time. she kept pulling through the last few years. she reminds me that anything you want is possible. she was always up for a good gathering and where i get my love for hosting others to good gathering.

We decided to surf one , in her honor, and we hit the water at 1 pm . The water was colder than anything I have ever been in. I and laurie caught some great rides in nonas honor.
and that bring us to today.
Today was good. I am glad my grandmother gets to see her love again. I am with my love. She never remarried and always smiled when she talk of papa nick. he was a fun one. He was her best friend. Yet she carried on for 26 years with out him and never once did she complain. I hope he has been working on his tennis game, because i know my grandmothers knees are going to be feeling pretty good when they hit the court somewhere out there in the universe.
laurie and I love you nona.
we miss you.