About 3kms (two miles) since this was the day we went from Wellington to Picton on the ferry. We got up early so as to catch the 8.25am ferry (the Interislander), sneaking out of Wellington's YH dorm in stocking feet and carrying our possessions in a heap so as to leave everyone else sleeping soundly. It took a while to locate the terminal and the bike route onto the ferry. But eventually the bikes were stowed and the boat pulled out into the straits between the two islands. They were in a force 6 mood with patches of heavy rain so impressive. Indoors a group from the Cook Islands were entertaining us all - these islands are under the care, in some sense of NZ.Eventually the ferry entered the Queen Charlotte Sound, and the swell reduced and impressive green hills appeared on each side. After another hour or so we reached Picton in pouring rain. It was so heavy that we hesitated to find our campsite - instead I went off to visit the Maritime Museum and Guy read my kindle. Guy interrupted my browsing of the excellent exhibits by coming in to tell me that the rain had stopped and why didn't we pitch tent. So we went and pitched the tent before I returned to finish the museum visit along with Guy. The museum has one great exhibit - the Edwin Fox, the remaining hulk of a 19th century East Indiaman. Superb and with fascinating documents of cargoes, convicts and emigrants leaving the UK for new NZ life.The world is, indeed, a turmoil of moving people (a mass of asylum seekers are reported in the newspaper today as having drowned off Christmas Island) and we met at the campsite a Canadian who was originally French but who had cycled around NZ 22 years ago. He said he would not cycle now since the roads are too busy but that he does cycle in Canada. He said that 22 years ago the roads were far quieter and NZ was really a more enjoyable country for the cyclist. He and his wife cycled from Auckland down to Cape Bluff - well, he indicated that they had taken a winding route down through South Island supported by friends in a van so they never had to carry luggage.Other cyclists have rolled into the campsite pulling a tow along trailer and a nice yellow neat tent so we'll hopefully compare notes before we start actually doing some cycling tomorrow.Our tent continues to delight with its spaciousness, excellent bell ends for storage and lightness. So far the Saunders Space Packer Plus (Mk 2 I think) has been wonderful.We're planning on heading to Nelson and the Abel Tasman Park tomorrow.
About 3kms (two miles) since this was the day we went from Wellington to Picton on the ferry. We got up early so as to catch the 8.25am ferry (the Interislander), sneaking out of Wellington's YH dorm in stocking feet and carrying our possessions in a heap so as to leave everyone else sleeping soundly. It took a while to locate the terminal and the bike route onto the ferry. But eventually the bikes were stowed and the boat pulled out into the straits between the two islands. They were in a force 6 mood with patches of heavy rain so impressive. Indoors a group from the Cook Islands were entertaining us all - these islands are under the care, in some sense of NZ.Eventually the ferry entered the Queen Charlotte Sound, and the swell reduced and impressive green hills appeared on each side. After another hour or so we reached Picton in pouring rain. It was so heavy that we hesitated to find our campsite - instead I went off to visit the Maritime Museum and Guy read my kindle. Guy interrupted my browsing of the excellent exhibits by coming in to tell me that the rain had stopped and why didn't we pitch tent. So we went and pitched the tent before I returned to finish the museum visit along with Guy. The museum has one great exhibit - the Edwin Fox, the remaining hulk of a 19th century East Indiaman. Superb and with fascinating documents of cargoes, convicts and emigrants leaving the UK for new NZ life.The world is, indeed, a turmoil of moving people (a mass of asylum seekers are reported in the newspaper today as having drowned off Christmas Island) and we met at the campsite a Canadian who was originally French but who had cycled around NZ 22 years ago. He said he would not cycle now since the roads are too busy but that he does cycle in Canada. He said that 22 years ago the roads were far quieter and NZ was really a more enjoyable country for the cyclist. He and his wife cycled from Auckland down to Cape Bluff - well, he indicated that they had taken a winding route down through South Island supported by friends in a van so they never had to carry luggage.Other cyclists have rolled into the campsite pulling a tow along trailer and a nice yellow neat tent so we'll hopefully compare notes before we start actually doing some cycling tomorrow.Our tent continues to delight with its spaciousness, excellent bell ends for storage and lightness. So far the Saunders Space Packer Plus (Mk 2 I think) has been wonderful.We're planning on heading to Nelson and the Abel Tasman Park tomorrow.