Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Day 30 Nelson to Picton
Ohmigod I think I felt the earth move last night! We woke in the middle of the night to a really loud noise and a lurching to the van, like something had either fallen on or against it. On checking there was no one around and it was a relatively calm night with a starlit sky, also no trees in the immediate vicinity. Later on I also felt a shuddering sensation similar to going over a cattle grid which lasted for only a few seconds - was it a mild shake - not sure but probably likely given the nature of New Zealand.
Travelled today to Picton where we catch the ferry tomorrow for Wellington and the North Island. We left Nelson in sunshine and stopped again in Havelock to purchase some more green lipped mussels, to cook ourselves this time, then turned off to take the scenic route along Queen Charlotte Drive to Picton. We stopped just outside of town along the windiest road that I have driven on and believe me there have been some in the Alps and along the Amalfi coast to name but two. There was a walk from here to a lookout over the Pelorus Sound and the Mohakipawa Arm, absolutely stunning and worth the ten minute climb up to it. We continued along the road which wound it's way around the Queen Charlotte Sound, how come it's always my turn to drive when we get the bendiest road! There have been plenty on this drive around South Island and I always seem to draw the short straw. I don't think I got above 50kmh along the whole stretch and that was through the small towns along the way. It's not often that you get to speed up when the speed limit goes to 50kph (30mph) Sadly by the time we got to Picton the weather had deteriorated again and it started drizzling. Would you believe it, the "cloggies" are here again? We keep bumping into them! It's packing time now as we hand the camper over first thing tomorrow. I shall be sad to say goodbye to the place that has been our home on wheels for the past twelve days; back to hotels, apartments and car hire from now on.
- comments