Picton and Nelson (Thurs & Fri)

After checking out the accommodation yesterday afternoon,  we went to the 'Edwin Fox' Museum.   This was a ship that ended up becoming a freezer storage for the meat works in Picton.   Before that it had been a passenger ship,  and had actually transported the last convicts to Fremantle (WA).   Now,  just the hull has been preserved,  and you can walk all over it (on both sides,  Vernon),  as well as under it.   Paying passengers lived in these confined spaces as they migrated to wherever;   and convicts were chained in them as well.

Dinner that night was at the RSA (RSL).   Unfortunately,  they have 'gaming machines' here!!!!   Not a cheap meal!!!!!!!!



All the RSA's here have these white crosses in a garden outside.   Quite moving seeing them with names on them!

Had scampi for dinner - never had it before - they look like yabbies,  but taste like very sweet prawns - delicious!

Sadly the 'golden rainbow' landed in the club,  nowhere near us!!!!



Thursday now.    Washing and drying first up!

Whale Centre was closed,  so we went to the Picton Museum.    This was mainly the history of Picton - surprise - as a whaling town.   Huge industry here in the early days.

Many of the whalers settled in Picton and surrounds,  and married Maori women - two or three at a time!

Some local stories of WW1 soldiers,  too.    Took this photo of a letter written by a soldier in Turkey to his family in Picton.   Took his photo as well.   Really sad,  especially on this 100th anniversary!






Probably can't read the letter,  now I see it on the blog!!



After lunch, we went on the Mail Boat,  delivering mail and other parcels - food,  beer,  wine,  etc - to the people who live in the many,  many  bays along the Marlborough Sounds.

Great trip!   Sunny afternoon,  blue skies,  cold breeze,  but so glad to see the sun,  it didn't matter how cold it was.

There are no roads to these bays;   the only access to the outside world for these people is the mail boat - twice a week -  or their own boats.    We were amazed at how many properties there were!!

A couple of resorts have established themselves in some of the bays.   Lots of walks along the coastline and inland,  seem to be about the only activities - unless you're honeymooning,  I suppose!

The whole trip took just over 4 hours.   The route we did was the red one,  and I've included some of the homes we stopped at.

Parcels and mail,  dropped off and picked up.   This little girl on the right was late.   She came running down the jetty,  tying,  or trying to tie,  the bag as she ran.

 

This guy was smart;   he had a trolley on a rail to haul his supplies up the hill - he needed it for the amount of alcohol the boat delivered.










 

No so clever,  but gets more exercise,  walking up all those steps.   This man does a lot of fishing apparently.   I heard him talking to the boat driver about how few there were around at the moment.

He has to go up and down all those steps every time he uses his boat!!

Some of the homes where the mail and supplies are delivered by boat.













Going ashore at Ship Cove

We were taken up as far as Ship Cove,  so named because Captain Cook landed there in search of food and water.   He found plenty of food - birds and fish,  and a fresh water stream,  and stayed for quite a time.

There is a monument to Cook in the cove.

This stop is also where some people doing
 the Queen Charlotte Sound Walk can be
 picked up or dropped off.










































Loved Picton.   We had a great day.   Off to Nelson in the morning.

More later.

Love Maur & Al

 

Christchurch to Picton

Well,  hello everyone.

Christchurch Airport
 

We arrived safely in New Zealand.   Cold, wet and horrible!!   

Picked the car up,  set Tom for Kaikoura,  and hit the road. 

Stopped in Amberley for some shopping.   Doesn't matter how far away you go,  you can't get away from 'the fresh food people'!!



NZ Woolies

Was dark when we came out,  so the rest of our journey was very unpleasant - for Al anyway,  he was driving!!!   I did my usual and dozed most of the way.

Arrived at our accommodation just before 8pm.   Not the best we've ever had - no en suite!! - and we had to make our bed!!!


Outside

Inside

Going to the shower and toilet in the rain - well,  enough said!!!   We did sleep well,  though.
No tea or coffee etc in the room;  we had bought some,  but didn't think to buy anything to put a drink in - not just me this time,  Alan too!!!!  


Set off 9ish on Wednesday,  heading for Picton.  

About half an hour north of Kaikoura,  we came upon a seal colony.   Watched them - in the rain - for 20 minutes or so.   Lots of babies,  swimming,  riding the waves.   I took some video,  but I'm not game to try to put it on the blog.

Swimming

Suckling
 




Sleeping

The drive along the coast from Kaikoura to Blenheim was lovely - hills on the left,  ocean on the right.   With sunny skies,  it would be superb!   Very windy and lots of trucks.

Blenheim was quite small.   No shopping centres,  only shops in the main street.   We went into a complex we thought was a shopping centre,  looking for a coffee.   It turned out to be a gym and swimming pool,  but it had a Subway and a café, so we sat down and had our coffee!

Found my NZ Anzac Commemorative Coins at the Post Office - only place they were available here.
Cath,  have you remembered my Aussie ones???

The drive from Blenheim to Picton was partly along the coast,  beside the railway line,  and partly over a mountain range.   Still raining,  by the way!!!!
The countryside was beautiful,  rolling hills,  tree stands,  just lovely.   Plenty of cattle,  and some sheep.   Saw a farmer that Alan reckoned was Wal Footrot - dog in the back of the ute,  shorts,  boots,  hat,  spitting image apparently!



Marlborough Valley
 

The countryside called the Marlborough Region is just spectacular!   It had stopped raining by this time,  so everything looked good!!!

We arrived in Picton about 2.30pm,  found our accommodation - with en suite TG - unpacked,  then back into town for a look around.

More later.



Clock Tower in Blenheim
 

Covered Grape Vines

Topiary near our cabin
 







Hello everyone,  from a wet and windy Sydney.   I think we are being prepared for New Zealand!!

Frank and Belinda's wedding was beautiful.   The ceremony and reception were at Jonah's at Palm Beach - great food and fabulous views.   Our accommodation at Whale Beach expensive,  but very comfortable.   The house had 4 queen bedrooms,  1 double bunk bedroom,  2 ensuites,  and was supposed be worth $6million!!!!!!   Anyway,   we were happy and had a good time.

The weather for the wedding was perfect - blue sky,  sunny,  warm.    Sunday was cool,  particularly in the afternoon.   Today is the pits.   We fly out tomorrow morning about 9am,   so here's hoping the winds have abated a fair bit by then!!

Some wedding photos to follow.