A long and fairly boring journey over flat coastal plain. We should have been able to see the snow capped moutains to the west but visibility was poor. We had intended staying in KAIKOURA a couple of days but the campsite was awful and we were glad to escape. Very overcrowded and not enough facilities for the tents that were packed closely side by side (like a canvas city), snores and farts could be heard all night. You had to queue for showers. toilets. to cook and then wait for a table to eat at. The one redeeming feature was the excellent fish and chips that we bought in the very resort village, but when we got it back to camp had to eat it outside in cold and wind. Luckily the roof over the Bar-B-Q kept the rain off. Sadly we missed out on the Nins Bins crayfish caravan, which is supposed to be a must do stop but we were keen to get away. It is a big whale watching destination which as well as from boats they do from helicopters (you would think that would drive the whales off) and does not really fit with eco tourism.
Although we complained that Bleinham facilities were inadequate on our first visit we at least have plenty of space here, with pleasant outlook over the river, and we can use the kitchen for the cabins which is well equipped.