New Zealand's South Island - Nelson and Picton

Well I am again way behind with this blog - and also not doing it in order - going from the back end of our trip first - oh well.  On 23rd January, Den took us to Auckland airport and we flew down to Nelson on the South Island of NZ - what a lovely sight below as we left Auckland.

The flight was in a smallish plane (about 50 people) very smooth, and on our arrival in Nelson, the car hire people were waiting for us with our rental car - first class service all the way.  Checked into our great hotel - sorted out a few things, shopped and generally relaxed for the day.

Next morning the sun was shining and we decided to check out Nelson and it's harbour

Very active harbour - kids were having sailing lessons

a couple of sculptures along the Boardwalk

We decided to eat lunch and take in the views at this Cafe - ooh that whitebait was superb

Watched NZ's navy and yachties 

Followed lunch with another walk

Then drove down to the Abel Tasman memorial

On 13th December 1642 Abel Tasman and his Dutch crew sighted "a large land, uplifted high'  probably the Southern Alps of New Zealand, this was after sailing past Tasmania - which he called Van Diemens land, however it is now named Tasmania, and the sea between Tasmania and New Zealand is called the "Tasman" sea - this of course was all before Captain Cook!

One of Nelson's harbour beaches - Tahunaui
*****

The next morning it was another fine day so we decided to drive to Picton, through some incredibly beautiful country - mountains, farms and vineyards.  The cloud formations were outstanding but unfortunately it was far too dodgy to stop  for photos on this mountainous road. 

We did stop at the Pelorus Bridge and check out the Kayakers

2 hours later we arrive in Picton - such a pretty town (population 4000)

Some great Art Deco buildings

"Drinking Consultants" from Ireland

and a wonderful War Memorial

We are now overlooking Queen Charlotte Sound

one of the 4 Marlborough Sounds

Picton has a glorious harbour

all kinds of activity

and a delight to walk around

We have now decided to to the Queen Charlotte "Mailrun"

but first we need a quick lunch - yes - a kiwi roast lamb and gravy roll with one of their incredible dairy Milkshakes.

We find our mail boat transport, which is also carrying a couple of large kayaks on her front

It is a Friday and we will do today's Mailrun at 1.30pm, but would also like to do the Monday Mailrun, goes to different part of the Sound, but as the sun was shining today we thought let's do it now.

The Friday Mailrun does go to deliver and collect mail and groceries into the Tory Channel, the other day's don't.

We're off

Picton is so beautiful surrounded by mountains.

The Queen Charlotte Sound and the other 3 Sounds are like Valleys or Gorges that were carved by ice during millions of years.

When the sea water penetrated inside, it formed an enormous quantity of canals in the middle of the mountains.

The result is one of the most beautiful areas of New Zealand

The contrast between the vegetation and the mountains is stunning.

We've entered the Tory Channel for our first delivery

Owners and dogs meet the Mail Boat

The Dogs greet us enthusiastically as this particular "Captain" gives each dog a biscuit!

The owners here use a wheel barrow to move their provisions to their house

The transparent waters of the Sound are lovely

Next stop - also in the Tory Channel

The Mailboat obviously picks up the owners mail as well

It was school holidays but many of these children rely on the mailboat for their schoolwork, as they are home schooled.

Both dog and child receive a biscuit and cookie from the Captain.

We are now out in the main part of the Sound - above is the gap out of Queen Charlotte Sound - the inter Islander ferries use the exit/entrance in the Tory channel - as it is far larger than this one

Opposite this exit is a very large farm - sheep and black angus

Think this property is around 5,000 acres

Groceries have been delivered

and the dogs have their biscuits

Next stop is another sheep and black angus property

They wait with their trailer while some of their kids swim on their beach

The trailer is filled

and two of the dogs have their biscuits 

A yelp from above - number 3 dog is stuck up the hill

and as we leave the kids take to the water again.

The next delivery has to be done boat-to-boat, so to speak

The tide is too low to let our mailboat into their jetty

so the lady and her 2 children and dog greet us

Kids and dog get their cookies and biscuit

We head to our last mail drop off for today

Then to Endeavour Inlet

We get a 15 minute stop here

to stretch our legs

this water is just so clear.

The 2 kayaks have been unloaded from the mailboat and these two plan to kayak for about half an hour to  Cannibal Cove  

where they will camp overnight.

We wandered off around the Cove

and spotted a Paradise Duck and her brood of 5 (not in this photo)

There were some Maori

and Queen Charlotte Sound

and Captain Cook information

Memorials

Back to the mailboat

to pick up a group of walkers

They had been dropped off earlier somewhere else in the Sound this morning and apparently had walked/hiked 15 kms to meet the mailboat

Next to a rather up market resort

to pick up yet another walker.

As we head back to Picton Harbour

both Inter Islanders pass us 

They cross the 96km wide portion of "Wild Sea" called The Cook Straight which separates the North and South Island ( Wellington to Picton)

What a stunning day - time to sit back

relax and rest that leg,
next time we will do the Monday or Wednesday mail run.
Loved this trip.

The residents who receive deliveries from the mailboat are very isolated - but it is just an incredibly beautiful part of the world.

The Queen Charlotte Yacht Club

and Picton's busy Marina.

Next, our drive back to Nelson through that spectacular scenery.

*****
I know too many photos, but that's tuff potatoes - took 3 times as many as this - just a beautiful day.