Nelson

I hitchiked from Kaikoura to Nelson today. It's normally a 3 hour drive and I managed to hitchike there in 4 which I think is a record for me so far! I caught the first hitch in about 10 minutes from Kaikoura with a wedding florist who was driving up to Renwick for a wedding. We stopped along the way and I helped her get some cuttings from a eucalyptus tree for her to use in her arrangements (which are actually quite nice, check out rocknrosieflowers on instagram). She's from a small town just outside of Leeds and used to live in Newquay and used to work in a shop in Magwan Porth (Roo's). She even knows some of the kingsurf guys! She dropped me off in Renwick and I waited maybe 15 minutes for a hitch from a guy in a very flash mercedes e-class. He dropped me in Havelock. You could see out just a little over Pelorus Sound which is beautiful.

I waited about 5 minutes for a hitch who dropped me at Pelorus bridge. I had to wait about 30 seconds before I was picked up by 2 kiwis and a German  who were off to a downhill mountain bike race just outside of Nelson. They had some pretty amazing bikes with them and dropped me right in the town centre. Hitchiking is an awesome way to travel, you get to meet so many interesting people!

It was nice to arrive in Nelson and escape the rain. Its very sunny here unlike everywhere else I drove through today. I had a wander around, went to the botanical gardens and Christ Church Cathedral which was stunning. The sound of the wildlife here is constant and there isn't a moment where you can't hear it. I think I'll come back here for a few more nights

Admitedly in the morning it rained. But Nelson is quite good in the rain because basicslly all the pavements in the city centre are covered so it's easy to keep dry. I'm getting a lift to Takaka today from some family friends who I will be staying with. Which is cool as it saves the hassle of getting a hitch.