farewell South Island

Up pre dawn to get on the road for the wee 'extra Roadie' to the North Island and Hobbiton. Hubs in a complete state of body break down after over doing it yesterday! Long drive 07.45 - 18.00h, taking in the Marlborough/Blenheim wine regions thousands of acres of vines, the Picton to Wellington Ferry and then a couple of hours of state highway 1 in the North Island. All glorious in Autumn sunshine.
It was a still 3 hr crossing, this shot is taken as the ferry winds its way through Queen Charlotte Sounds out to the Cook Straight.
The North Island has a different feel, with a higher population, more of everything.....cars, shops, highways,rail ways, buses, houses.....etc. I felt quite overwhelmed by triple decker animal transporters overtaking us on the 3 lane motorway!!! The island feels poorer in many ways and richer in others. The farms are more ramshackle, the occasional burnt out car is around and we've seen our first Aston Martin and Porsche.
It feels really good to be travelling with Yola and Hubs again, watching amazing landscapes and chatting the day away....watching out for Hobbits.