LINKWATER, SOUTH ISLAND

SUNDAY, 27th October.

We made an early start this morning, both awake at 5.00a.m., did all the usual morning things and by 6.30a.m. were ready to leave the motel for the 10 minute drive to Wellington Port for the ferry ride to Picton, checked in, were directed to Line #1 and waited an hour until boarding time at 7.45a.m.   Mike wandered across to the kiosk/cafe and bought us a coffee each, the sun came out and when boarding began, the car directly in front of us did not move.  We thought the driver had gone off somewhere but no, he was asleep and had to be woken by a crew member banging on his car window!

Being in line 1 we were among the first to board and nabbed seats in the front by a large window and watched the rest of the cars/motorhomes/trucks/walk on passengers board and we finally left at about 9.00a.m., 15 minutes later than scheduled.  The crossing was smooth, for which we were thankful as the last couple of days had been extremely windy and we were afraid that it might be just a little choppy!

Leaving the North Island

Land Ho!

In Charlotte Sound, South Island

                                                                                

We reached Picton at 12.30ish and because our group of vehicles was the last to disembark, it was 1.00p.m. before we landed.  We drove into town, bought a couple of things in the supermarket and had coffee and f.a.cake (Mike) and a date scone (me) at the Scoozi Cafe next door.  

On the way to Smiths Farm at Linkwater where we are staying tonight, we stopped at a couple of lookouts to admire the views of Queen Charlotte Sound and took a few photos from the car when we weren't able to stop, arriving at our accommodation, a self contained unit, at about 3.00p.m. 

The views from our verandah

There is an attractive walk on the farm which goes through the farm paddocks and into the native bush where there is a waterfall and glow worms at night.  We started off on the walk, but when we came to a stile, I'm afraid I chickened out, the old knees don't bend so well these days so Mike went on alone.  He didn't complete the walk, it became too muddy and slippery and not suitable for anyone no longer surefooted but he did take a few very nice photos of cascades, the bush and surrounding areas.

We both finished up with soaking wet shoes, socks and feet so once we'd fixed that problem, we drove a couple of kilometres to the Queen Charlotte Tavern for beer and pizza, just as the Kiwi/Kangaroo Rugby League Pacific Championship round robin match was about to start.  I'm happy to say that the Kangaroos won.

There are a few motorhomes and a tent or two camped here but it is very peaceful, a lovely part of the country and I feel we may sleep well tonight.