Also added another picture to yesterdays post
We woke this morning to clear blue skies and warm sunshine, which was pretty good for 07.30 and again, a complete contrast to the day before. Just like being in Torquay in August – no two days are the same. No Jonny Foreigners in the showers today, I was on my own with complete freedom of choice. Having both showered, done the necessaries and devoured breakfast, it was time to decamp and pack everything away. Again, not being experienced in this matter, but having a bit of common sense, we realised that everything had to be made secure or we were going to endure hours of rattling crocs and things sliding off shelves every time we cornered. As it happened, we made a pretty good job of stowing everything away.
The next task was also uncharted territory as it involved going to the ‘Dumping Station’ to dispose of the ‘Grey waste’ (washing up water etc) and toilet waste. Emptying the grey waste was straight forward as it simply involves attaching one end of a flexible hose to the outlet in the van and the other down the Dumping Station. Opening the valve empties the tank. Once empty, it’s just a matter of shutting the valve (failure to do so could flood your neighbour at the next site), disconnecting the hose and rolling it up. The toilet waste is slightly more complex in that you have to make sure the ‘non return lever’ is set in the toilet, then go outside and remove the dirty waste tank, which is like a giant cassette. At this point, you really don’t need your partner popping in for a sly pee, opening the valve and having a quick flush. The consequences could lead to divorce – at the very least. Once out, the tank is carried to the dumping station and emptied. Before returning to the van, it requires a shot of chemicals to help ‘digest’ the waste. A quick scrub of the hands and we were on our way to Picton.
Driving up highway 1, we passed through Ohau Point, which is where hundreds of seals are just lying around on the rocks, basking in the sunshine, very close to the road. After e few Kodak moments, we moved on towards Picton, stopping for morning coffee at Kekerengu. Next stop was the salt works at Lake Grassmere before arriving at Blenheim. This was a pit stop for food and fuel. Some of the consequences of the earthquake in Christchurch are that some garages are rationing fuel in order to ensure plentiful supplies in the Christchurch area for the emergency services. Also, things like bread is rationed in the supermarket. We’re not sure if this is because they need the loaves in Christchurch or the fact that they bake them there. Either way, the earthquake is having an impact right across the country. Much of the internet infrastructure is based in Christchurch, so access is at best flaky and usually pretty slow.
We topped up with diesel at a cost of $2.00 per litre (£1.00). People here are complaining bitterly about diesel at this price. It’s also interesting that diesel here is cheaper than unleaded. Makes you wonder why it’s the other way round at home.
We also learnt a new word in New Zealandese today – Trundler – That’s a supermarket trolley to you and I.
Having arrived at the new campsite, we were soon connected up and lunch was served. We then set out to explore Picton, which is a pretty little seaport, where the ferry departs and returns to and from Wellington. The main harbour is now a huge marina, housing some very expensive powerboats and yachts. It’s located at the end of Queen Charlotte Sound, which leads out to Cook Straight and over to North Island.
Having toured the Marina, we spent the rest of the afternoon walking along Queen Charlotte Sound to Bob’s Bay and back to the campsite. An interesting walk that was scheduled to take about an hour. Two hours later, we arrived back at the campsite absolutely cream crackered.
We’re only here for one night, so it’ll be an early start in order to complete our tour of the sound and then on to Motueka for two days exploring the Abel Tasman National Park.
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