Wednesday morning in Kaikoura (where the mountains meet the sea), the kids went for a swim in the pool at the campsite with their new friends. Sam was having a paddle in the edge but somehow managed to come back soaked where he decided to venture further in!
We picked up some morning tea at the same bakery. They have the yummiest, freshest bread. We got some cure gingerbread dolphins and whales. They had coloured icing, smarties and 100&1000s on them and appear to go down quite well with the kids. Sam of course couldnt have one so we got raspberry buns for him, Jase and myself. They are the best buns I have had, big fat fresh bread buns with a delicous layer of raspberry jam running through the middle and topped with a sweet raspberry icing. YUM!
We took them out to the Kaikoura penisula and sat at the sea edge watching a playful fur seal as we ate - now how many places in the world can you do that?!
The older three and I walked up the hill to the lookout and waved back down to Jase and Sam in the carpark.
Then we headed off for Christchurch.

The kids on the Kaikoura peninsula looking back to the Kaikoura mountains, pretty ah?

The fur seal (circled) playing in the shallows

The kids at Cheviot where we stopped for lunch. Sammy took a tumble off the slide and they discovered a carpeting of acorns under an old oak tree and proceeded to make a pile of them. We appear to have brought some with us too!
So here we are in Christchurch. So far all we have done is go shopping in the mall (we so gotta get us one of those in Invercargill!) We were brave enough to let the kids loose in the toy shop where they chose a (small!) toy each. We picked up some bibs and baby spoons for the wee man and got some groceries for tea. The kids had a play on the playground in the campsite (another motel like room this time. We have purchased a member card which gives us good discounts). We are planning on finding the science museum tomorrow and maybe a couple of shops for me too!