winter wanderings: Thursday, 12th February, 2015

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.