February 22nd
Hmm, a comment left by Jenny Romany Rambler mentioned that a problem has arisen with the two ferry companies Interislander and Bluebridge.
Normally six ships ply the strait between Picton and Wellington. As it stands, Bluebridge and Interislander have just one operating passenger ship each. This alert came in today,
Wednesday, 22 Febraury: Kaiarahi is departing Wellington at 4:30 pm this afternoon, final check in 3:30 pm. Kaiarahi will sail from Picton at 9:45 pm tonight, final check in time 8:45 pm. Aratere is sailing today although behind schedule and Kaitaki continues to be freight only.
We are booked on Interislander Kaitaki from Picton to Wellington on the 25th. Now Kaitaki has had problems going back a fortnight. To read about it click HERE
Since then more problems have arisen for both the ferry companies with some of the fleet out of action through breakdowns, resulting in cancelled bookings. Some passengers stuck in Wellington will have a months wait to rebook! click HERE
We don't mind having to rebook the ferry, but we do worry if what cancelled passengers are saying is true. For us to wait a month is out of the question because (a) the Toy needs to be returned to the owner and (b) we have a plane to catch on the 20th March. All we can hope for is things will be resolved quickly.
Today the weather has turned not only cold, but very wet and windy. We travelled about 110 k to arrive at Kaikoura.
Looking back to 2017 I found our travels along a road full of the devastation from the 2016 Kaikoura Earthquake.
This is today's coastline, amazing what can be achieved after all the havoc the earthquake caused.
And we were lucky to see this goods train slowly wind its way next to the road.
Here we stopped for lunch and had another hunt to see if I could replace that lost earring. I have found out it is called Aquarius Paua Jewellery but have failed in my search again. Even the website doesn't appear to have any. I am destined then, to walk around with just the one earring!
Those that are regulars to this blog will know of our mission to find all four cardinal points of lighthouses on the South Island. We found two, and saw at a distance the third but as to the very Eastern lighthouse Cape Campbell, we failed completely. The only way to see it was an 8-hour return walk and then on a low tide. Well this is one lighthouse that is destined never to be seen!
We did follow a track toward Marfells Beach. At the very end was a DOC site. We decided then and there to stay. The rain was still lashing down and the wind was buffeting the Toy. We tried the to put the pop top up but decided very rapidly that it was not a good idea. Dinner was a nightmare to cook, having to crouch down and cook over the small camping stove. Windows stayed open letting the rain in but ventilation was a must. Never has a stir fry been completed in double quick time! Anyway we are heading off to Blenheim tomorrow and then toward Picton to await news on the ferry. The discussion has already been had about what to do if we are to stay on the South Island. A drive along Arthurs pass was mentioned in search of the allusive Kea.
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And how's that for a seed head. Acts just like tumbleweed rolling over the dunes.
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