I was off to Collingwood today to a backpackers called Somerset House. The name sounded lovely, and the location looked as though it would live up to the name. I was looking forward to getting there and seeing for myself.

Today is Mother’s Day back home. I’m not sure if it’s the same here in New Zealand, but I thought of my mum today and what she would be doing. I need to send an email later, and post a present if I could – although it would be hopelessly late. I hoped mum was having a good day.

The difference in scenery is quite staggering as I found out in more detail today. I was headed for Nelson – as I had already booked a hostel here for the following night – and the roads that led me there were quite out of this world.