The South Island Commences

Day 78 (25 January 2021)

Wellington to Picton (Ferry) After having nearly six weeks off and enjoying a great Christmas and various holiday activities with family and friends it is time to recommence the journey south. For the South Island I’ve added a bit of technology in the form of a Garmin inReach which allows, amongst other things, people to follow progress via a web address. The address to follow us is : https://share.garmin.com/JBTA. Now you will have noted I said “us”, because for the South Island I’m being joined by my greasy old friend Chris McCaughan (aka McVet). Really looking forward to sharing this journey with him and while it will be different having someone else with me am sure it’ll be a great experience for both of us.

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Now to the blog proper: Marie and I were in Christchurch over the weekend with Leyton to watch a cricket game so it made sense for me to strop in Wellington on the way home and depart from there. Farewells at the airport were, if anything, more fraught than when I first wandered off into the mist at Cape Reinga. I think knowing how long it is and also the fact that it just that bit more distant from home made it all the more difficult.

On this note I’d also like to give a big shout out to Marie. While I’m having this amazing adventure Marie is both supporting me with encouragement (and baking when she can get it to me) and holding down the fort at home!!

Saying goodbye in Wellington

Although I thought I had everything planned one thing I didn’t factor in was that this weekend is Anniversary Weekend in Wellington and consequently the shops didn’t open until 10.00 or 11.00. This was ok but did mean a bit of a rush as I needed to check out of the apartment at 12.00 and wanted to get everything packed in my room rather than making a spectacle of it in the lobby. Got the few things I needed and managed to pack them before the 12.00 deadline. The only potential issue is I put my hiking shorts on for the first time since finishing in December and discovered where the three kg I’d put on was, it was all around my bum. Shorts are pretty tight but after looking quickly around Wellington and knot finding anything suitable decided to stick with them. I just hope I lose the 3kg quickly! Met McVet at the apartment and having a couple of hours to kill before we needed to be at the ferry decided to go and have a lunch and beer. Only problem was it woul seem In Wellington most places don’t open until the evening on Anniversary day. Luckily found an Irish Pub so a beer and lunch before departing.

The first beers of the journey (not that it is a pub crawl!)

Having never been a foot passenger on the ferry it was all a bit of new experience. One good thing is the foot passengers are loaded before the cars so we got the pick of seats, up front close to the bar.

Good seats and the bar just behind us!!

We did meet another couple (Simon and George, George being a female and his partner) doing the TA at the checkin. A smooth uneventful crossing except for Mc Vet winning the onboard quiz. Consequently as we disembarked (actually twice as initially we tried to leave with car passengers) the crew stood either side of corridor and cheered us. Actually I think they were cheering McVet but I was happy to accept the reflect glory! Once in Picton we checked into the backpackers then off for dinner. Before we’re gone 25m we’d met a lady who was doing the TA in sections then had another couple of young TA walkers (Jared and Mitch) at the table beside us. So seems there a fair few doing the South Island, most who are starting here having forgone the North.