Heading back to the North Island

Up at 5 am to get the super-deal Inter-islander ferry back to the North Island... and disappointed that it wasn't the old Pride of Bruges P&O Ferry that we'd heard was travelling the sound these days. Bluebridge and Inter-Islander? Well, there's not much difference really, only that Bluebridge is consistently cheaper and has cabins available. Heading north to Tongariro, where we'd planned to do the four day northern circuit tramp, but with a bad week ahead forecast, seeming less likely! A day's shopping in Wellington, where we, as privileged members of Macpac's club, had exclusive access to the first day of Christmas sales... and I bought a snazzy new and significantly larger backpack, to accommodate all the things we've picked up on the way (mostly clothes to keep us warm!)