Wellington
Fri 30th Jan
I was in no rush to have a shower, pack my bag and charge my phone. I said hi to Ross. At 09:30 I took the rucksack downstairs; I saw Arthur and asked if it was okay to leave my pack until after I came back from having a chai.
I returned after 10:00 and took my pack to the same café for another chai. Was there for ages.
I went looking for the bus stand which I was told was near Woolworths. I found it eventually, although it wasn’t that far away. Not obvious, but the clue was another Intercity bus parked there. I bought a packet of crisps then sat in a nearby park.
The bus left only a few minutes late which was a major achievement considering it had big mechanical problems earlier. We left by 14:00, stopping at Dannevirke for half an hour. The countryside was nice rolling hills…farmland, forested hills. We stopped for 10 minutes at Palmerston North. All this time I was chatting to the young guy next to me.
The last part of the journey was down the west coast…which I wasn’t expecting; I thought we would be taking a more inland route. We arrived in Wellington bang on time at 07:45pm.
I already had my room booked at the Quest hotel which wasn’t far. About a 10 minute walk along Feartherston to the hotel on the junction with Johnston. It was after reception hours so getting in was via intercom and security coded box to get to a welcoming letter and my room key.
9th floor. Very smart room. A fridge, small cooker, tea/coffee/milk, TV channels that work, armchair. The lady who said she was going to phone me in 10 minutes, didn’t so I went to the bar around the corner. She did call eventually but I didn’t hear it.
I drank a few stouts and watched the latter part of the Alcaraz vs Sverev in the Aus tennis Open which was very exciting. I saw the end of it in my room, as well as some News, and then settled down to sleep.
Sat 31st Jan
A very comfortable bed meant a good sleep was had. I made myself a coffee, showered and completed my registration form down in reception.
I went towards the train and bus terminal on the waterfront, to Bluebridge ferries to book a crossing to Picton on Sunday. I decide on 01:30pm; 08:15am was just a bit too early. It meant I would have to stay the night in Picton before going on to Nelson. The fare was 87Nzd but I was asked my age and as a result of being a senior citizen I got a 5Nzd reduction !!!
I walked along the waterfront. I paced around town looking for a travel agency. I went back to the hotel a couple of times. A relaxing day… The sun came out in the afternoon. I called into NW and bought pork mince, salad, noodles and red wine for dinner.
I cooked the mince then went to the pub nearby. Then back to the room to complete the cooking. I had also bought some spicy sauce to give the meal a kick. I really enjoyed it but it was a bit too much; if I was staying another night I would’ve put half of it the fridge.
I watched a mix of sport and news before getting into bed. Even though I didn’t do that much, it was a good Wellington visit.
Picton
Sun 1st Feb
I had a relaxed start to the day. Showered, packed, made a tea and a coffee. I had to phone Alan because his friend/best man Phil suddenly died the previous day; he was in his early/mid 60s. Very sad.
I checked out and found a place for a chai.
I popped into the Wellington Hotel to use their toilet, but also to check it out for my return journey. I went to the ferry port and checked in, but of course, being 11ish, I was much too early. More walkabout and I found another place for another chai.
Back to the ferry to await boarding. We left after 13:00 and it was a 3.5 hour crossing. I had a comfortable seat and the landscape/seascape as we approached Picton was amazing. The hills came steeply down to the water, creating sort of mini fjords.
There was a shuttle bus to take us the short distance to the bus terminal. I walked the short distance to Piwaka lodge; I got hold of the manager who said there were no vacancies but she would pick me up and take me to Boathouse Lodge.
It was absolutely fine and she charged me 32Nzd or 15Gbp, and although it was a 4 bed dorm room there wasn’t anyone else in the room. I changed into my shorts and went looking for a pub; I had 2 pints.
I then went to the supermarket and bought mince, a green pepper, noodles and a bottle of red wine. Back at the hotel I cooked it all up, ready for a bit later. I had one more drink in town then went back for dinner. I added the rest of the chilli sauce, but that made the dish a bit too hot, so I took my time with it.
I went onto the 1st floor balcony area to drink my wine and chat a bit with some guys there. They also kindly gave me a bottle of Lion Red. That was the day in Picton. It has a nice relaxed feel about it and the nice combination of the waterfront and surrounded by hills.