Showing posts with label Hector Dolphins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hector Dolphins. Show all posts

Wednesday, 19 February 2014

Next Destination... Picton

 From my few days parked at Vinegar Hill it was only
a short drive to Wellington. I left early as I wasn't sure
how long it would take me or how often I would want to 
stop for coffee and how much traffic there would be... 
You know how it is! I was booked in the 1pm ferry to
Picton. I have been on the ferry many times but not
with a vehicle of this size.  but it turned out to be a
piece of cake - or if you're not familiar with that saying...
It was easy. Here I am parked in the queue...
I was also a bit anxious about my leg with stairs
and difficult places but that was all ok too... A lift, a cafe 
and comfortable seats made for a pleasant journey.

 Waiting to drive on board.

 Along with all the road-haul trailers...
 
 And trucks...

 And trains...

 All aboard the InterIslander Arahura and off we go...
 
I don't like the ferry, or rather rough seas, so I avoid 
the ferry and fly when I don't have a vehicle. But this 
time it was me and Licorice Allsorts. Luckily the
whole trip the sea was calm and still, we even saw 
some jumping dolphins... So I made it safely to
Picton to stay with friends there for a while...
And am having a wonderful time. 

Sunday, 4 November 2012

Weekend In Akaroa... A Little French Village


I came with a friend to Akaroa for the weekend
Akaroa - meaning 'Long Harbour' is a beautiful historical town...
Settled in the heart of an ancient volcano...
On Banks Peninsula in the South Island of New Zealand...
It has a tiny permanent population of only 700... More here.
The French were the first to arrive  here in 1838...
They bought land to establish a whaling port, returned to France to bring more people to live here...
But returned in 1840 to discover...
That Banks Peninsula had been claimed by the British... Read about it here.

This is the view from the  house where we are staying.
It's a cold Christchurch day...
Raining and ony 5 degrees...

The Akaroa Harbour... No boating activity today...
But it is the home to Hector Dolphins...
Endemic to New Zealand and one of the smallest and rarest
dolphins in the world.

We stopped on the way... To take photos...
Me being silly out in the rain and cold...
I have got gloves on... And no other cars in sight.

 
My friend who I came with... Indulging my sillyness...


The countryside and wet and mists were beautiful...

Akaroa is about 75km from Christchurch...
 
Over the hills...
 And into the town...
More photos of the village tomorrow... 
It's supposed to stop raining so I can go walking.