Waking in Cable Bay we decided on an early morning run. There was a signpost by the beach with a 5.6km each way option that we thought we would try. It started up steps then up a field with sheep then up more grass with more sheep then up more and more and then we got to the top. Phew!
Looking along the coast it appeared that the next stage would be steep down a rough path and then steep up another and beyond that who knows. It wasn’t really the run we expected or wanted so we retreated with a quick descent to the beach. For me that was it – a strenuous 30 minutes was fine. Sue attacked the beach track with some interval training whilst I had a quick shower and packed things up for the next part of the journey.
There was a choice of routes to Picton, and we chose the shorter, more scenic of the two. It was full of twists and turns with some great views near the sea. We had no real need to stop so we went to Picton and enquired whether we could go on an earlier crossing but the price persuaded us to stay there and have an afternoon walk.
Picton was so much smarter than I remember, with marinas full of expensive boats and a high street with expensive cafes.
We set off towards Bob’s Bay and The Snout. This took us up hill past the Picton reservoir and along a hot open track before turning into a footpath. We made it as far as Queen Charlotte Loookout and then reversed our route back to town. Enough time for a beer and the ferry queue.
The journey across was scenic, particularly the sunset over South Island. We also had time for a meal and a chat with a Kiwi couple, talking campervans for a while.
On arrival in Wellington we were leaving the port at 10:30 with no direction signs we could see. We made it onto the main road North then with a degree of luck found a campervan park – more like a parking lot – and were tucked up in bed before 11:00.
Life ain’t bad.
Tags: New Zealand
