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!

I Do Like Cooking... With Wine...

 I can't remember what I was cooking for dinner...

But I do like cooking with wine... And sometimes a 

little gets added into the pot... But not too much!

 

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.

Whites Beach... Over The Hill On A Windy Road From Rarangi...

 This is the road into the Whites Beach DoC campground.

 The bush is lush and beautiful.

 Here I am. We  have chosen a spot in the sun

and out of the wind... Hopefully.

 The campground is a series of large and small

glades and areas tucked amongst the bush.

Unfortunately all are plagued by very pesky

hungry sandflies. It was damp and cool so 

we lit the fire and were soon snug. It had been 

quite cool and misty damp and cold winds the

last three days so although it is a beautiful area

it was not a must stay for a long time place... For us!

 The next day the sun came out but the cold wind

persisted. Not my idea of summer weather at all.

Coming from the warmer weather and humidity of

the Far North I was not impressed with my 

introduction to South Island beaches. I had a paddle

and nearly lost my toes through frostbite. 

A swim... No thanks!

 But the sky and sea were beautiful to look at.

 This is a picnic reserve... The path leads to the beach.

 And the surf club... That indicates it is a popular

swimming and surfing beach.

 It was very beautiful surrounded by steep bush

clad hills.

 This restored old cottage gives a glimpse into

the history of the area. The DoC Ranger lives in it

and he gave us a tour through it. All the old timber

walls and floors are amazing.

 It is also well signposted for the many walks

in the area with a detailed map and estimated

times. When I'm walking properly again and

in this area again some of those will be a must do.

Rarangi... Exploring The Coast From Picton...

 I have been in Picton a week or two but while I have 

been here I have gone off exploring round the coast

along the road from Waikawa to Rarangi.

I started at Rarangi and here I am parked at the

DoC camp...

 I was surprised at how popular it was... Apart from

buses and caravans there were vans and cars...

 All parked under the trees and being slept in.

 This is the DoC camp from the top of the hill.

It's an odd shape but because the shingley sand is

soft the areas for heavy vehicles have been

compacted so we don't get stuck.

 I went for a walk across the soft shingle...

 Through the beautiful wild sea coast weeds...

And up the steps of the path in the background of 

this photo that goes over to Monkey Bay.

 

 I got to the top... Slowly. It was all concrete steps,

but I couldn't get down the rough track going down

the other side. But it was a real achievement getting

that far. As  you can see it was cool and misty rain.

 

 Looking down on the rocks, the bull kelp thrashing

around in the rough tide.

 The view along the shingle beach to the hills and

the Wairau Bar which has developed from shingle

washed by the tides from the Awatere River...

All on an information board at the top of the track.

The view of Rarangi and Cloudy Bay from the

top of the hill the next day on the way over to 

Whites Beach... My next stop.