Wednesday, 18th February 2015 - Manly, Australia

We had intended to go back to Bathurst on Monday, then on Tuesday and then today, but when you wake to the sun streaming in, the water glistening on the beach and people all around enjoying the atmosphere it's difficult to drag yourself away. And so we have stayed.
There is always something happening in Manly, keeping us amused. At Christmas it was the Three Wise Men on camels wandering up and down The Corso, and, for the past few days, it has been the Manly school transport system.
We set out usually around 8.30 for a walk and swim: wait hours for the lift (our building has to have the slowest lifts in Manly), past the Post Office, cross the road and there they are - the kamikaze kids, hundreds of them. There are two primary schools within a couple of blocks and all the pupils seem to travel to school along the beachfront footpath under the pines. There are solemn little girls and noisy little boys, some walking, some running and many on bicycles, scooters and skateboards. Pedestrians beware - it is every man for himself in the rush to get to school.
But it is the odder means of transport that keep us amused - the father with two kids behind him on his bike, the little girl sitting crouched at the front of her scooter while mum provides the leg power behind and best of all, the mother with a three-wheeled bicycle that bears a startling resemblance to a rickshaw. her helmeted little daughter curled up in the box at the front.
After we had survived the onslaught of kids we came across something even more scary - a semi-circle of strollers lined up like a circle of wagons in an old cowboys and indians movie. Closer inspection revealed it was supposedly a post-baby bootcamp, but in reality was a bit of a gossip session with the odd waving arm indicating some sort of exercise.
We walked all the way up to Queenscliff then took of our shoes and walked along the water line back towards Manly watching the dismantling of the infrastructure from the Surfing Open that finished on Sunday.
The waves were quite high so North Steyne was closed for swimming and we carried on to South Steyne where the sea was a little calmer and the flags were up. The sea is very clear and clean at the moment - no seaweed or stingers, and also quite warm, so you can go straight in. Yesterday was quite calm, but today the waves had got up a bit and resumed their "dumper" status, so needed a bit of care. Despite that I was well and truly dumped at least once.
Even so, it was a stunning way to start the day - a long walk and swim in the surf. What more could anyone ask for.
We'll definitely go home tomorrow, though.

The Three Wise Men ride their camels down The Corso at Christmas time.

Sunday, 15th February, 2015 - Amberley, New Zealand/Sydney, Australia

Inevitably it is time to go home.
We had a bit of time to fill in so cruised in and out of all the beaches starting with Amberley, then on to Leithfield where Geoffrey had spent many holidays in his youth (as had Lee, and Shirley, interestingly), Waikuku and Woodend.
We tried to avoid Christchurch as much as possible, especially as the World Cup Cricket was on and the place was crowded, but drove through the now reopened city centre which still resembles a war zone from where we were, and up to gaze at a sad, empty block of land at 19 Gwynfa Ave, once Geoffrey's home. The drive to the airport from there revealed that 37 Carlton Mill Road is still missing its chimney.
Our flight back was on Emirates which proved uneventful and on arrival we decided on the public transport option which proved to be a bit of a mistake as there was no mention at the airport station of trackwork that meant trains were only running as far as Central. Had we known we would have opted for a taxi but after queuing for buses at Central and missing a ferry by minutes we eventually arrived back in Manly a few hours later, hot, sticky and exhausted.
But as always, great to be home.

Saturday 14th February, 2015 - Amberley, New Zealand

Today it was time to pack up and leave our little base in Picton. We were lucky to have found such a nice little apartment hotel with stunning views.
We headed South towards Christchurch and managed to avoid another encounter with NZ's traffic police which was a great relief though unsurprising given that we were stuck behind slow moving campervans most of the way and couldn't have sped if we'd tried. We couldn't get over the number of caravans and campervans on the road.
Despite the cold blustery weather we saw hundreds of seals basking on the rocks along the Kaikoura coast but that was about the only thing of any real interest.
We arrived in Amberley around 2 but were unable to remember where the house was that had fairies at the bottom of the garden so were unable to visit.
In the evening we had a pleasant birthday dinner at a little restaurant along the road. Quite a surprise to find one so good in such a small town.

Friday 13th February 2015 - Picton, New Zealand.

A quiet day so very little to write about. Also went nowhere so we have no new or different photos to post today.

We managed to help along New Zealand's GDP by paying Geoffrey's driving fines (he managed to pick up a speeding fine on Monday so it was quite a total in all) then went for a walk along one of the tracks before enjoying a final meal of whitebait fritters.

Tomorrow we hit the road again heading South back towards the airport.
Random fact: apparently the water temperature in the Sounds fluctuates between 14 and 18 degrees celsius. Not an ambiente swimming temperature. Even our young Maori captain on the boat yesterday said he won't ever swim without a wetsuit which makes all the hotel advertising pages showing happy campers jumping into the water rather suspect!.

Following are some general photos taken on various walks.

Thursday, 12th February, 2015 - Picton, New Zealand

We had booked to go on the mail run up Queen Charlotte Sound today so were very pleased to wake up to perfect cloudless skies and no wind. If anything one might have complained it was too hot, (but one didn't).
The boat, which was quite large (and full), left Picton at 1.30 and headed north. Arriving early paid off as we scored a front seat outside on the top deck with stunning views.
On the outward leg we did all the "chores" running in and out of every bay delivering the mail (and other bits and pieces) to the permanent residents along the way. We were most impressed with the captain's manouevering skills, pulling into tight spots and holding the boat in place while he passed bags and boxes back and forth. Along the way he also delivered a comprehensive commentary and we learnt lots about first growth native bush and endangered species.
We went We had booked to go on the mail run up Queen Charlotte Sound today so were very pleased to wake up to perfect cloudless right out to Ship Cove at the head of the Sounds before turning back to call into a few more places to pick up people who had been walking the Queen Charlotte track.
The scenery all along the way was stunning and generally it was much better value than hiring a boat and going out on our own. We certainly saw a lot and enjoyed it immensely. Quite a different experience from the cruise around the Calanques from Marseilles (when half the passengers had mal de mer) or the classic, never-to-be-forgotten, rubber ducky trip off the Amalfi Coast.

It will only cost $1000 a night to stay here in summer.

Ship Cove

A passenger enjoying the cruise

Queen Charlotte Sound

Wednesday - 11th February, 2015; Picton, New Zealand

This morning we woke to beautiful weather, ideal for a long walk of which there are plenty nearby. We decided to walk The Snout, a 40 minute track along the high meandering ridge line the other side of Waikawa Bay. The brochures promised excellent views and there was definitely one from the car park at the start of the walk, but what wasn't mentioned was the fact you need to be at least 10 feet tall to see over the dense gorse lining either side of the track. It was very frustrating being able to hear all kinds of activity taking place on the water below but being unable to see a thing (except gorse).
We persevered for about 20 minutes until the track started on a decided downward slope, not a bad thing in itself other than flagging a steep climb for the return journey, so we turned back. From the car park we meandered for a way in the other direction along the ridge line where the views were more accessible.
For lunch we returned to the usual place, a short walk from the motel. It's always pleasant sitting out on the deck watching the boats come and go.
After lunch we walked along the marina a bit to check out a place we had noticed that had people out on a deck of what might possibly be an alternate cafe or restaurant. As it happened, it was - if you wanted to take a giant leap back in time. A boating club, it was filled with really old oldies (and that is in relation to us). They'd had their roast of the day and there were a number of tables set up for some card game or other with a bit of a sing along happening round the piano. A very very long time since I've heard "I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts"  (something from about the 1930s that Lee used to sing.)
We left very quickly.
Hopefully the weather will be as nice as this tomorrow as we have a boat excursion planned.

The Jolly Rodger, Waikawa  Bay Marina

Tuesday - 10th February, 2015; Picton New Zealand

A quiet day this morning apart from the route march which, due to some unfortunate map reading by the perpetrator, involved an awful lot more hill climbing than I'd anticipated. It was a bush track so the views were somewhat obscured and we found later we could have driven most of the way, parked near the summit and walked from there!
Tomorrow's exercise will be the ridge walk and I shall take the tablet for photos as the views should be spectacular - especially as the forecast is for sunny weather.
We're possibly overdosing on whitebait fritters but it is much easier to walk to the local pub at the marina than go into town where we would have to sit on the footpath beside the main road and pay twice as much for the privilege.
A pleasant evening sitting watching yacht races out in the Sound

Monday, 9th February 2015 – Picton, New Zealand

Today was mainly spent out on the water admiring the scenery as we drifted past.
We left from Havelock and spent some time negotiating the long narrow channel that leads out into the Sounds. Luckily all the channel markers are numbered so we could keep track of where we were, more or less as there are numerous islands, bays and inlets and, as the man at the boat hire place pointed out "it all gets a bit samey after a while".
However we managed to find our way round the correct headland and into Kenepuru Sound and made our way up to The Portage where we had spent our honeymoon 45 years ago. There is a big marina in the bay to tie up to and we went and had a sandwich for lunch up on the balcony above the bay. It was very pretty but I'm not sure what we would have done had we decided to stay there for a week.
Sadly I didn't get any pictures on the tablet and can't upload photographs from the camera so will add them later when we get home.
The morning was beautiful, sunny and calm but the wind blew up quite strongly in the afternoon. Still we are happy it's not raining – yet!

The Portage, Portage Bay, Kenepuru Sound

Sunday, 8th February, 2015, Picton, New Zealand

A quiet day today but beautiful weather so we enjoyed the views and did a little sightseeing both by car and on foot.
Having checked out what was available in the main town area we decided we were better off patronising the local bar/restaurant at the marina where we went last night. The food is acceptable but the ambience far superior to anything else we have seen around here.
Tomorrow we have a day of adventure and excitement planned.

Saturday, 7th February, 2015 - Picton,New Zealand

So today is exactly 45 years since we were married and the general idea was a bit of a celebration somewhere exciting. And to make it more interesting, the first person to actually guess where we are will win a lottery ticket!
I should have known that trying to replicate a honeymoon that was a disaster in the first place was not going to be a good idea. (Not that we have gone back to the same place - it looked very unenticing). From what I remember 45 years ago, there were three things that stood out.
Firstly I started off with a sprained ankle, sustained by slipping off the dance floor at our wedding reception, then there was the food poisoning outbreak that swept through the hotel and finally the wasp sting to which I proved allergic. A wonderful week.
So we duly arrived but not before Geoffrey had been harangued not once but twice by ill-humoured fellow travellers who objected to his non-stop "surround-sound" conversational style (to say nothing of the conversational topics he likes to pursue).
There is, sadly, something rather humiliating about being berated in public by fat-arsed up themselves females.
But we survived, found our motel and slept well.
Next morning, endeavouring to vacate our room at the requested checkout time of 10 we fronted up to reception at five to, only to find reception locked with a "back in 15" sign. Glad we weren't in a rush to catch a flight.
Eventually someone turned up to cope with what by then was a huge checkout queue behind us and a cab was ordered for us to go to the car hire depot. Simple? Not when the address on the documents we had was quite blatantly wrong and while we eventually found the right place the cab ride cost about three times what it should have.
So then - take off in the car by 9 as planned? Not likely. Queue for longer time then go through highly convoluted check-in process. There's a lesson here: Avis might be more expensive but it's worth the extra.
But by 11.30 we were on the road and had decided breakfast was a past idea and we'd opt for an early lunch instead.
This nearly proved a fatal mistake as one person who had downed quite an amount of whisky the previous evening realised to his horror when pulled over by a (surprisingly friendly) cop around midday. However, he wasn't subjected to an RBT, merely chastised and fined a fortune for driving on the wrong side of the road. His excuse was that he was ironing out the curves. It didn't go down well.
So not what you'd call a good start to the trip, overall.
Happily it was all uphill from there (both literally and metaphorically).
We arrived at our destination around 3.30, found we had a lovely room with fantastic views and a nice restaurant/bar within walking distance where we could sit on the deck, watch the yachts and enjoy reasonable, but not necessarily great, seafood.

                                                                                                 

Somehow I am having problems with this blog and am unable to upload the beautifully cropped and enhanced photos I took to go on this page.
Still, those clever enough will recognise it instantly.