angrytown to importanceville and back again

set out on friday morning for Picton via the Kaikoura coast, took a few pics:

the Kaikour ranges from the coastal road north of the town of Kaikoura


Seddon Bridge; State Highway, single lane bridge with traffic lights. trains cross the river via the tracks above. Crazy for truckies, my brother used to drive 40 foot trailers across it. currently there's a bypass being constructed, while, in the meantime, the traffic utilising the bridge grows and grows.

The "airplane" that carried me from Picton to Wellington. for those not in the know, my mums house is in the middle of the south island and i was going to the north island. no, there is not a bridge between the two. most people take a 3 hour ferry, but for not much more, there's Sounds Air, which, if the mailman brings the engine in the morning, will carry you the same distance in 25 mins.
the flight over was hair-raising. Almost the scariest thing i've ever done. bumpy as anything all the way. totally worth it though. great views. i think i saw a whale. it didn't seem to be moving though. can whales go static? sharks can't.

meal and drinks with Meang and his friends, then chilled out for the evening.

the next morning, i headed to visit Andy who'd passed away in February. he lays in rest just north of Plimmerton. i kinda wanted some privacy but there were many many people visiting graves at the time, it was a very nice day, so i spent a little while chatting with him quietly and watched the other people.

then, Scorching Bay with Tee for lunch:



And Mount Vic and the southern coast with Emily:



Spent Saturday night with a few friends eating, chatting, playing pool and drinking.

After a scarier flight back to Blenheim, south of Picton, due to extreme winds, i got an airline bus back to pick up the car and headed home.


Above is the Kaikoura ranges from the north and below is the Kaikoura ranges from Kaikoura the town.


Just before i arrived home, my brother rang to inform me y grandfather was very unwell and my mother and aunt had rushed to his bedside.

The whole weekend was a learning curve. the weekend involved 2 crazy rides in an airline, spending more cash than i wanted to, throwing jealous tantrums at friends, visiting a dear friend who'd died young, and heard my grandfather will be gone soon too. one thing popped into my head continuously: control what is controllable, recognise what isn't, do what i can, and enjoy the ride.