A short drive to Picton,passing the last of the Marlborough vineyards and up and over one last steep rugged mountain before dropping abruptly in the ferry terminal. Whilst waiting to load we watched the lorries being brought off the ferry and the train wagons being shunted on and off. The ferry had as rail deck and a car deck and clearly a special deal for lorries on the first ferry crossing of the day as there were no cars. The first hour is through the queen Charlotte sound which was very calm until you get out into the Cook straight where is was definitely a bit choppy but you soon enter the lea of the North Island and round into Wellington.The motor home park is more a glorified car park but it is right on the waterfront, slap bang in the middle of the city and this is a city with more buildings and people that we have seen in the last fortnight on the South Island. It was afternoon when we arrived so we took the cable car up to the botanic gardens for a fabulous view of the city and harbour. A stroll round the gardens and a visit to the cable car museum before returning downhill as the sun set. We walked back to our van via the government area to look at the Beehive(the NZ parliament) and other imposing municipal buildings. The massive building with Railway Station carved into it amused us as it couldn't have been anything else. In the evening we went to the Saturday night market for a great choice of ethnic foods and to listen to the live music,a guitarist and a rather anarchic brass band. For a capital city it was surprising how empty it was for a Saturday afternoon and evening. For instance we watched the flag lowering ceremony outside the parliament or rather a chap ambled up and just lowered the flag whilst having a chat to us,being the entire audience. He did make sure it didn't touch the ground though by slinging it over his shoulder so at least some standards are maintained.