Life On The Ocean Wave...

 Picton... A small town of about 3.500 residents

situated at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound is

a town of marinas and boats.

My friends there who I stayed with have a boat...

So on this marvellously fine day off we went...

Lunch and fishing rods on board.

 I'm out on the back deck watching the boats and

town go by...

As we pull out of the  berth...

 Past lots of other boats...

Of all shapes and sizes...

 Under the Coathanger bridge...

 Leaving the town behind...

The InterIsland Ferry just departing

 

 The small beach on the east side of the bay...

It's a lovely walk round this way to Bob's Bay.

 Picton receeding into the distance.

 I have my rod... Hooks and bait at the ready...

 We went to Lochmara Bay to pick up two more friends...

There is a Lodge, Wildlife Recovery and Arts Centre.

We moored in a sheltered spot.

The fishing wasn't good... Lots of small

spotties for bait but none of the coveted Blue Cod.

Oh Well... Next time!

Whatamango Bay... Further Round The Port Underwood Road

 This was our next stop... With my friend from Christchurch
who had come to adventure in my bus with me for a while... 
Parked right beside the water.

 A nice grassy spot all to ourselves.

 This bay is in the Queen Charlotte Sound... A few

permanent and holiday homes at the head of

this little bay and more houses hidden in the bush.

 The weather improved... The sun came out. 

It was biss with nothing more to do than sit in 

the sun and watch the tide come and go.

 The water was very shallow so no boats but a few

kayaks from time to time. The chanel and deeper

water was out at the point in the right of this photo.

 

 A full moon gave some spectacular night skies...

 This is early morning before the sun came up.

Everything is still and quiet...

 By the time we were up... Coffee was made...
And breakfast was ready the water was at our feet...

Scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, marmalade... Delicious!

 The reflections and currents...

 Whatamango is another DoC camp.

It's big with 50 sites and more open that Whites

Beach. Still pesky sandflies but not as bad.

 There were buses, motorhomes, vans and tents

tucked everywhere but it seemed like we had

the whole place to ourselves. It was

so delightful we stayed there five nights before

reluctantly moving on... Back to Picton.