It was today that we had booked the ferry to cross the Foveaux Strait to Stewart Island. Parking is always an issue with the larger vehicle so we had already gone and sussed out the parking at the Terminal yesterday. Blimey the first car park we looked at wanted $21 for the day, hmm, seemed rather excessive we thought. But not 100 yds down the road and nearer to the Terminal was another car park and this time all day for only $7.50. Now that was more like it but as you can imagine, the car park was pretty full. In view of this, we set off early today to claim our spot. Ian went to pay only to find an 'out of order' sticker over the instructions. Oh goody, seems it was free parking then!
The ferry departure time was for 9.45am. Being early got us a place almost at the front of the queue. The ferry was already in, we hear the engines start and suddenly away it goes! "Hey, what about your passengers?" came a shout from somewhere behind us. Voice comes over the tannoy, "Nothing to worry about its just doing a few seaworthy trials" So we wait, it duly returns and within minutes the tannoy springs to life again "We apologise for the delay but this Ferry has developed a mechanical fault and won't be sailing" What!!! Not another breakdown, is this really happening again??? I'm beginning to feel that we Jameison are jinxed! How many times is that now? So I decided to list our mishaps and the breakdowns,
- The second part of the flight to New Zealand cancelled due to the pilot being taken ill
- Discovered diesel in the water tank on RP
- RP's water pump packed up
- Tap handle fell off meaning the pump ran all the time.
- Couldn't fish at Huka Prawn Park because they had failed to restoke the ponds.
- New Zealand River Jets cancelled our booking because of lack of numbers
- RP broke down. 11 hours waiting at the side of the road for the AA to arrive
- Two days holiday lost due to breakdown
- Cancelled helicopter flights for Franz Josef glazier due to bad weather. That's twice we have tried and twice we have failed.
- Thunder Jet team cancelled our booking due to a breakdown.
- The nature tour boat at Milford Sound broke down and we had to transfer to a much larger vessel and miss out coach stops on the way.
- And finally (to date) Ferry breaks down just before heading for Stewart Island!
Anyway...
Another ferry was quickly brought into service. This one had to be loaded first with goods for the Island so it was a good 30 minutes before any of us could board.
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| Top. Original Ferry.and it leaving Bottom replacement ferry and it turning to come alongside. |
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| Crikey is this in case this ferry engine gives up? |
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| If we need help send the scooter Hope it's seaworthy.😉😁 |
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| Told by our guide the one at Bluff Point is silver. This one was originally but when the sun shone the glare blinded the pilots bringing in their planes. Now painted brown,=to look more like a rusty chain. |
In spite of the early setback, today has been ace. The weather has been changeable (dry then wet then dry again) but it did stay dry for when we did the Fucia walk. Caught the last ferry of the day at 5pm and this time the sea was a tad more choppy, brilliant for us but not so for a few passengers. Disembarked and rushed to RP. Phew...no parking fine on the windscreen (I had worried we may be getting a hefty fine for not paying the car parking fees) and then returned to the same spot overlooking the Foveaux Strait for tonight's camp at Ocean Beech camping ground
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