Sayonara, South Island

Sad to leave the Parklands Marina Holiday Park in Picton today.  It was great.   Reasonably priced,  friendly owners (who both came out to wave goodbye and thank us for staying! ) good playground, lots of kids for PB to play with, heaps of space and nice facilities.  BUT!  Today is the day we have to say goodbye to the South Island and get on the ol' Interislander for the North.
We had a few hours to kill,  so we took our lives in our hands and hit a narrow and winding road around to a DOC  camp at Whatamango.
So lovely!   Parked right on the water.  DH went for a paddle in the bay and watched a cheeky seal splash about,  while PB and I made a huge banana and apple cake. 
Headed back to the ferry just in time and had a blooming marvellous crossing.   Forecast was for about 10 knots and it didn't disappoint.  A beautiful journey through the sounds and we raced to try to catch the Bluebridge boat that left slightly before us.  We had great seats with a good view and close to a kids area with a telly,  so the time went quick.  We even spotted a quite large pod of dolphins!  PB made a friend as we were coming in to Wellington harbour and chatted away to her.
We made it to the association campsite at Plimmerton.  We were worried that we wouldn't get a park,  given the number of campers and  caravans on the ferry and that it is school holidays,  but we were fine. 
Popped out to McDonalds for dinner,  since it was already dark, and bumped into some people we had sat by on the ferry!   They had a bad time on the Lewis Pass.  Five of them had to try to sleep in a van because they blew three tyres out in the middle of the night.   Their son had just got third in the carting nationals and the dad had been off racing boats as well!   Very adventurous. 
Looking forward to having our own adventures tomorrow and exploring Wellington!