Earthquake - Blenheim |
Kaikoura - sunset & beers |
Marlborough Sounds |
Excursion, first to Christchurch to meet Jamie and Katie, then solo, northwards to Kaikoura, Picton, Nelson, Abel Tasman and Farewell Spit, returning via St Arnaud and Hanmer Springs - 18th Feb to 5th March
CHRISTCHURCH
Setting off again to Christchurch to meet only Katie and Jamie, who were there with the rest of the family already, for some city R&R. 🎉
Of course being a “veteran” visitor to Christchurch, 😂 on my suggestion, we rendezvoused at my favourite cool cafe, C1 Espresso in the edgy part of downtown. Quickly dumping our apparel in our AirBnB gaff, and then a less than $20 Uber back into town….a few drinks later, and shocked to understand why 12 year olds are enticed by strawberry flavoured vapes. 😳 We were fortunate to get a cancellation in a smart restaurant in the New Regent Street quarter, Twenty Seven Steps. And very noveau and nice it was too, not sure Jamie appreciated it, who by now was on his last legs! 😴🍻
Katie wanted a beach and to sunbathe the following day, and it was boiling hot. ☀️🥵So again, being that veteran, Sumner beach it had to be….slightly surreal to return with Jamie and Katie, after being there fairly recently en solo.
Katie did her sun thing, while Jamie and I did a lap of the Lyttleton peninsula, again (as on my bike last time) stopping at the Kiwi Cafe at the top of Dyers Pass. ☕️🍰
In the morning we split, with emotion and hugs 😢 and I set north. A cracking diverse journey through the Waipara vineyards and yet more dramatic hill/mountain scenery.
However, I didn’t plan to return! Stopping just minutes from Kaikoura, encouraged by a throng pointing seaward (dolphins no doubt!), I realised I’d left my camera and binoculars in Christchurch! FFS - I wasn’t happy, to say the least….🤬🤬
Roll on 24 hours. 🙄
KAIKOURA 🐳🐋
The whale “capital” of NZ….a multi thousand feet trench not far offshore, is the locale of various species, not typically seen so close to the shore. Spontaneously, as per the Mt Cook helicopter trip, I happen to pass the local airfield, advertising “Whale flights”…..so off we went, in a light aircraft, ✈️ and being Billy No Mates, a front seat too….soon spotting a 14 meter Sperm Whale, the pilot took us into a repetitive spin, first left, then right….for the passengers to get direct views….impressive to see, but certain passengers were almost seeing too much of their stomachs! 🤢The flight before saw two other species, including two Blue Whales….unfortunately that was our quota for our flight, but with a huge dollop of supplementary supporting dolphins, hundreds in fact!
In the evening I cycled for beers, 🍻firstly near to the end of the Point Kean peninsula….on a beautiful evening….returning via a popular bar “downtown!” Joined by a Suisse guy, who amongst multiple adrenaline fuelled interests, his main passion was conversely fly fishing! Apparently NZ S Island is the place, but in specific locations across private access areas…he smiled when I mentioned Hamish’s fishing reputation! 😊The “emergency tent” was required. 🏕️ Psychologically the last resort, and really not wanting to do…I tried to negotiate with a few motels, but $120 was the best I could do…..it became an issue in my head, I really didn’t want to camp…but this could now be a change….cracking location, right next to a river, with a Mountain View….and cosy as hell, and I slept fairly well! And it gives so much freedom…👏🥰
Straight after breakie I completed the Kaikoura Trail en velo….another one with quite a proportion of “tunnel riding” i.e. single track through bush, bush and more bloody bush….fairly forgettable…on return, I decided to head further north….
PICTON
Driving through Blenheim mid afto, totally unaware there had been an epicentre of an earthquake that had been felt even in the North Island, just hours before….I arrived in Picton, the end of Highway One, and the route to the North Island by ferry….but not for me….
Another perfect erection, 🤪 the tent was sitting happily next to a kids play area, by a soothing stream in the nearby small harbour village of Waikawa…accommodation was at a premium, due to either the after affects of the recent north island cyclone, or mechanical issues with the ferrys….I heard both! But who cares, when you are an experienced camper! 🤷♂️😂
The weather turned, it really did….the blue skies and sunshine had been taken for granted for a few weeks now….but storm ahoy. I got soaked going to the local hostelry, and the tent was fighting a battle with the elements through the night….and…..won! ⛈️🌪️And reyt cosy it was too…I even had a siesta on the second day!
Both Waikawa and Picton were very scenic, at the base of the Queen Charlotte Sound….very fjord or Scottish sea loch like, with a frame of mountains, what else!
On the second day, I’d set my alarm for 0615, the plan was to catch the boat ferry to the top end of the Queen Charlotte trail, and ride back to Picton….however, the weather was worse on that second night. I’m surprised the tent didn’t take off, 😳⛈️and at alarm time, the rain was bouncing off the canvas, fortunately waterproof canvas! So another morning socialising in the kitchen was more attractive….Leaving by 10am - I headed over to the official end of the Queen Charlotte trail at Anakiwa, the weather had improved enough to entice me out on the bike. The plan was to ride approx 30km out then spin back, to experience at least some of the trail…however….firstly, the going was very slow, below 10kph, the CX bike was really out of its depth, I had to carefully navigate around rough ground, and with all the rain it was really muddy in places…..after 75 mins I’d hardly done 15km, but worse I hadn’t fvckin left bloody BUSH! 🤷♂️🙄
Hypocritically I love the camping now….it gives total freedom and no space for concern on accommodation….so I set off generally towards Nelson, but not fussed where I would end up….as it happened I got to the outskirts by 5pm, checked my app (Rankers Camping) and within 15 mins I had a sea view camping spot! 💕
Kaikoura from airplane
Picton - The Sounds |
|
Kaikoura - front seat! |
 |
|
|
Sumner Beach |
No comments:
Post a Comment