Cook Strait Crossing



We did in the end shift one more time last night at about 10:30pm, this was after  I looked at Goggle Earth and could see that just off the motorway at the beginning of  the waterfront there were some larger parking areas set back off the road more. Our GPS had sent us through Petone town so we didn't see this area when we arrived, these are the things we are beginning to learn, & quickly. Here's the view we woke up to this morning at 5am, the motorhome arrived just after 2am (waking us in the process) after probably arriving on the night ferry from Picton. 

Here we are, lined up & ready for the ferry at 5:45am (sailing 8am), I know those that know me well won't be surprised to find out that we were the first to arrive & the first in line. But as it turned out we were loaded just after 7am so we didn't have that long to wait.

We had front row seats, the ferry was already in port & about to unload, the night sailing from Picton was mostly trucks & containers. The stock truck was on our boat and had a Jersey dairy herd on board. They were on an open deck just below where I sat on the top deck. They provided an interesting smell when mixed with the diesel fumes of the ship.

Motorhomes & campervans galore! The weather Gods smiled down on me, the perfect day for sailing, we couldn't have asked for better.

First on board after the trucks & second off in Picton.

Windy Wellington does not live up to it's name today. Calm & still, like a mill pond out in the harbour.

The Beehive takes centre stage

Cars lined up ready to board

I'll let the pictures do the talking....... (click on them to see an enlarged version)

Wellington Waterfront 

The Interislander's Kaitaki overtakes us mid strait- this is the one we were meant to be on. Bluebridge's other ferry passes, heading for Wellington.

We enter the Sounds and take a last look at the North Island.

This is a busy stretch of water; approaching Picton with the two remaining Interislander ferries in view.

Exploring the coastline by kayak, a popular activity in the Marlborough Sounds. The manuka trees are in full flower.

Picton

We decided on stopping at Blenheim's Top10 Holiday Park just a 30 minute drive from Picton. We were absolutely worn out after having virtually no sleep last night & being on the move the past six days (I guess we'll have to get used to that as being on the move is what we will be doing for the foreseeable future) but in the meantime we just felt like plugging into the grid, doing the laundry, filling the tanks- both vehicle & human and just relaxing in the afternoon sunshine; & hot it was too, our outside temperature gauge showed 33 degrees. We've booked for two nights so we can have a quiet day tomorrow.

Driving under the 3.48m high bridge(SH1) that divides the park in two, gave us a chance to check our height. It was actually a lot closer than it looks here as the satellite dome & air-con unit can't be seen.