Back to the north island

Here’s to 37 fab days in the south island.

The ferry is leaving Picton at 10:45 and check-in is at 10:00 soI figured that, to be on the safe side, I should leave the camping at 8:00. This meant getting up before dawn and starting to pack. Well it was cold and wet and the tent was wet too, folding the whole thing up was a pain and my hand were well frozen bt the end of it all.

All that said I was on the saddle by 8:00 but the cold feeling meant that when I saw a bakery next to the road just outside Blenheim I could not resist and I warmed myself up with a double espresso and a large slice of carrot cake.

Filled with all that there was no more time to waste and I was on the way to Picton.

DSCN1934copy — Like a phoenix from the hashes flying over the mountain.

The road to Picton was easy with only a small climb at the very end but I was plagued by early morning fog and a police car overtaking me gave me enough paranoia to make wear the helmet all the way to the ferry.

Pretty soon I realised though that I had plenty of time and I would make the check-in time with ease and it was not a problem to stop for a shot or two.

DSCN1935copy — The dilemma, go to the ferry or join Bilbo and the elves.

DSCN1936copy — This is the road I took out of Picton on the start of the south island tour, officially full circle.

After I checked in and got the relevant instruction I had 15 minutes spares and I thought it might be a good idea to address the problem I had stored for myself in the morning, namely packing the tent wet. Naturally a wet tent does not just keep its wetness for itself so it ended up that the drying line was longer than I expected.

DSCN1937copy — This is what happens when you have to pack in a hurry to early in the autumn mornings.

DSCN1938copy — Bye bye south island, I’ll be back sooner than you think.

I folded all up, all dry in 20 minutes and proceeded to board the ferry, this time I was the only cyclist going north but I had a whole train for company rather than cars and trucks.

Route 2,952,819 – powered by www.bikemap.net

The ferry ride was much better than on the way down and I took a few pictures, but most of all just sut on the top deck getting cuddled by the warm sun of the early autumn.

DSCN1941copy — Sea kayakers out of Picton

DSCN1942copy — Picton harbour view, in the sun (not like last time)

DSCN1943copy — A boat moored in the harbour

DSCN1949copy — And from a different angle.

DSCN1950copy — A view of the Marlborough sounds

DSCN1952copy — The mouth of the sounds and the north island in the distance

DSCN1953copy — Last view of the south island coast from the Cook Strait.

DSCN1954copy — In the middle of the strait we were briefly chased by a pod of dolfins

DSCN1958copy — More sailing in the Wellington harbour

DSCN1962copy — The Wellington skyline picture I did not take last time.

DSCN1968copy — Just about to disembark next to the train.

So it is now north island again and for a month and a half. By my calculations I should have another 28 day of cycling 5 days of sailing and 11 days of rest before I leave New Zealand. Let’s hope the weather stays with me a little longer.