The Final Holiday Post (Or Picton as it might otherwise be called)

After a few days back at home for Husbink to work two shifts and me to service lead on the Sunday morning, we headed off on the Interislander for a few nights on the South Island.

The weather was about as perfect as you could get for the crossing although there was still some craziness when we first entered the Cook Strait. The views from the ferry are amazing so we spent quite a lot of time outside. Husbink got very snap happy. We also saw dolphins from the ferry, always good!

On arrival in Picton I became slightly alarmed as to what we'd let ourselves in for but on closer inspection it was pretty nice for a couple of nights! We had dinner that evening in a restaurant overlooking the harbour, beautiful.

The next day we got a little boat out to Ship Cove. From there, Husbink, Dad and I started a two hour trek up-and-over to Resolution Bay. Mum got the boat round. It was a decent climb up to a fabulous look out point. Just as we arrived at the look out this crazy noise started behind me...kind of a cross between a cicada and a black bird...and there was a weka (see picture...). We hadn't seen one before so it was good to tick off another endemic species. (I get way too excited about birds these days...) We also saw a bellbird which was the first time away from Karori Sanctuary. We then headed down to meet mum and made it there 45 minutes faster than the two hours expected. Great, we thought. The three hour walk left to the place we meet the boat should take no more than two hours. And then we saw no more signs. Along we plodded with a brief stop for lunch. After lunch, Husbink and I went on ahead to try to get to the final bay in time for a swim. On and on and on we plodded. Until we thought we must be almost there. At which point we saw a sign that indicated we were perhaps only a little over half way... Apparently that 3 hour estimate was much closer to reality! And the boat was coming half an hour earlier than normal...

Fortunately, we did all make it and Husbink and I did get time for a wee dip in the waters. Good stuff!

(The view-type pictures are both from the lookout at the top of the walk - one way and the other!)



The boat trip back was VERY slow and I was VERY tired and got a little disgruntled (I'd also not had time to change and was a little soggy which on a windy boat left me a little chilly). I was getting sufficiently grumpy that Husbink relinquished the camera and ordered me to take pictures of birds. And thus, a picture of a gannet for you!

We finally made it back to Picton and went out for a pub tea. Lots of fish and chips and beer!

Our last day down south was spent in a dash to Blenheim to visit, among others, the Montana Winery - mum felt as she supported them so well, she ought to go and say hi! We also visited a winery that made olive oil amongst its wines so that was a nice alternative. (Not to drink!)

Following lunch and one last tasting it was time to return to Picton for the ferry home. The weather was a little more "swelly" but still a pretty good journey. And a nice ferry - with toilets that didn't make you feel like everything was about to collapse like normal ferry loos do!

We then had a final few days around Wellington with the parents (including Husbink's birthday) before they flew out for Sydney last Saturday. Gosh, only a week ago!