Kaikoura to Okains Bay, Banks Peninsula

We woke up to watch dolphins from our bed and over breakfast, seemingly endless numbers of them leaping from the ocean, doing somersaults swimming on and repeating the whole process. It was wonderful, so: if anyone wants to have this experience and are travelling on the SH1 near Kaikoura, phone the Goose Bay campsite and ask for a beach side pitch! They sent us to Boat Harbour, but they have other beach side locations too..... then hope for the best!
We reluctantly left there and drove south through Cheviot and Amberley( where we had a coffee), round Christchurch , with a stop in Hornby for shopping and money, and out onto the Banks Peninsula . We stopped at Little River for ice cream( excellent ) and tourist info, passing Lake Ellesmere on the way. The approach road to the peninsula is deceptively flat for mile after mile out to then it goes up....and up....and up, eventually sort of levelling out at the top. Then there are great views of Akaroa harbour where, we understand , the cruise ships are coming as Lyttleton was badly damaged in the earthquake. We drove along the Summit Road for about 10km before turning north down to Okains Bay. We camped here three years ago. The site is located between the bay and the river and we are camped near the river. Needless to say the river is tidal! .. so we are a sensible distance from the water!!! Earlier I had a great time swimming as the tide was coming in, then wading back and floating / swimming back again, no need for a jacuzzi here.....natural massage from the current!!!'
No phone reception, so not sure when you will read this ;)