Reflections

We left Nelson today after a great four days at the Aloha Lodge.  The room at the motel was spacious and we had access to several "general" areas, including a lounge, which doubled up as a breakfast area, and also a big kitchen, laundry, computer and gardens.  

Tony , the manager, was excellent - couldn't have been more helpful or friendly - and we would definitely stay there again.  

The drive from Nelson to Picton for the Interislander Ferry just reminded us (as if reminders were necessary!) just what a beautiful area it is.  The sun was out, there was no wind, the multi-coloured sea sparkled and there was a good selection of water birds and the odd raptor to spot, along with reflections in all water bodies - sea, lake and river.

After Nelson, we climbed the winding route of the A6 into the upland and viewed the steep-sided valleys below us and the coniferous trees on the slopes.  Clearly logging takes place on the slopes and we've seen some heavy lorries carrying large logs and some timber industries.  

Back down the other side and into the flat land of the Rai Valley and the small amount of horticulture, and greater evidence of dairy farming.  Here the pastures are irrigated and grass is very green and juicy.  Further away from settlements the pasture became dry and yellow, with smaller densities of sheep and dairy cattle and some arable.

The lowland widened out into the Wairau Plain and suddenly there was kilometre after kilometre of vines (some open to the skies, others covered to protect them from the birds), with some well-known wineries - Brancott, Hunter, Cloudy Bay.  

Add to those delights the beautiful sights leaving Picton and arriving in Wellington on the Kaitaki ferry, and the ultra-smooth crossing, and Ican report that the day has been great.  

One fly in the ointment was the taxi driver from the terminal who didn't know where he was going and kept adjusting the hand-held navigation system on his phone, which wasn't working properly.  To say I was nervous is an understatement! 

Eventually he got us to Greg's place - Greg being a former colleague of Dave's at Reuters.  His house is high up on a hill and has great views.

Dave and I have also been reflecting.  We had initiated this trip with thoughts that it might be our last to this part of the world.  There have been several occasions in the last few weeks, though, when we have said, "When we come next time .......'  With that in mind, and taking into consideration the comments of Gay and Bob, who have apparently been inspired to start thinking about their next trip here by our blog, we are thinking about shorter distances travelled (once here) and longer stays in a smaller number of locations.  Maybe? 

Monday postscript 

Victor Meldrew writes:

I don't mind cricket but what on earth is all that pop music about?
Every time there's a four or a six and at the end of every over stuff blares out at full volume.

Add to that various other inanities and it's more like being at a pop concert rather than a cricket match.

I don't believe it.

Dave writes: I totally agree with Victor.

What would the likes of WG Grace and Wally Hammond have made of it? Very little, I hazard to guess.

At sea

It must be the sea air but something seems to bring out the worst in some humans when food appears.

As noted on the cruise ship off Alaska  a couple of years ago it seems like a constant round of feasting when aboard.

And even on the 3 1/2 hour crossing to Wellington this afternoon lunch and tea fare were available.

Unedifying, however,  to see the pros straight on the case at 2.55 pm when scones etc were put out just 45 minutes after lunch.

Pensioners all, sad to say.

It was all pre-paid of course in the Premium Plus Lounge but where's the dignity? 2.57 pm would have sufficed.

Must not be churlish or negative though. The larger picture remains a daily delight.

The morning's drive from Nelson to Picton was just the latest in a long line of super panoramas.

And the ferry crossing over to Wellington must rank among the great trips of the world.




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