2/19/12 (Sunday):  We're having a quiet morning, waiting for the rest of the household to awaken.  Wiley and I are usually up before the rest of the gang (maybe still on U.S. time a little?).  I'm learning how to knit socks, so I tried my hand at a couple of rows while Heather was still in bed, but I think I messed up, so I quit until she can help me.  I'll take advantage of the quiet and try to get caught up on my blogging.  We left you last time in Nelson, where we spent the last night of our South Island trip.  The final leg of the journey was short, because we had to return the camper and catch the 1:30 ferry.  But it was another beautiful leg of the journey, along the Pelorus River, through the Rai Vallen and finally along Queen Charlotte Sound.  Here's a map. 

We left Nelson on my birthday, and I was looking for something special to mark the day.  So, when we came across the signs for the longest swingbridge in New Zealand, I just had to check it out.  I walked all the way across this bridge and even took my hands off the railings to take pictures of the waterfall.

The bridge crosses the Buller River.  It was a fantastic experience!

The Pelorus River is a river at the northern end of the South Island in the Marlborough Region. It flows from the Richmond Range into Pelorus Sound.  This area is fantastic for camping and is renowned for its magnificent river swimming where the Pelorus River runs through a gorge.

 We enjoyed traveling on some more winding mountain roads with striking views around every curve and a number of one-lane bridges to cross.  These bridges are especially common on the South Island.  There are signs ahead of time that tell you who has the right-of-way and you sometimes have to wait a few minutes while other vehicles finish crossing.  These bridges make a lot of sense to me -- why pay to build a two lane bridge in an area where there's little traffic and people are going slowly anyhow?

Settlements are quite scattered and remote.  This sheep station is typical.

We especially enjoyed the end of our South Island adventure along the Queen Charlotte Sound.  I had to pay close attention to the driving, but the scenery was just breathtaking.  We enjoyed watching some folks gathering mussels at low tide near these boathouses.  

We were thankful there were places to pull over like this one.  Because we had the camper, we didn't need to worry about finding a place to eat, use the bathroom or just take a break from driving.

Finally, though, we had to say "goodbye" to the South Island, turn in our camper and board the ferry for the 3-hour trip back to the North Island and Mark and family.  It was a much sunnier day for the trip back and we enjoyed seeing the tops of the mountains that had previously been hidden in the clouds.

Next blog:  Continuing adventures on the North Island!  Stay tuned, and E noho rā for now!