New Zealand South Island day 33 – Murchison to Wellington

We have allowed ourselves half a day to reach Picton ferry terminal to catch the 1.30pm sailing to Wellington. As we approach Blenheim along the wide Wairau River valley, the weather starts to improve and we enter the Malborough wine country with its mile after mile of vineyards, their neat, clipped rows stretching away into the distance. We arrive at Picton with plenty of time to spare. The ferry is far from the full to capacity journey we experienced on the way out and we are able to obtain tickets to see Slumdog Millionaire which is showing in the very small cinema on board. A great film, which fills most of what would have otherwise been a tedious 3-hour crossing. Wellington is a blustery and chilly as the day we left – thankfully we have a cabin booked for a cosy night.