Part 50 - Picton. Blenheim, and Nelson

Picton harbour from the Edwin Fox

The ferry from Wellington to Picton was a lovely journey, certainly more scenic than the Larne / Cainryan ferry. It passed many wee islands and remote areas with houses that could only be accessed by boat, like this one. 

Picton itself is very touristy. Cruise ships stop here regularly, and they had the finest ice-cream I've tasted in the last eight months (lemon cheesecake). 

The famous coat-hanger bridge

A very small railway. At least it only costs 20c.

One of Picton's major attractions is the Edwin Fox ship, which has quite the varied history, being used to ship emigrants and bloody crims from the UK to Australia and Europe. Later on, it was used to ferry troops to the Crimean war, and then was used as a freezer ship, before being stripped and left to rot, and subsequently restored (estimated cost of doing so in today's prices, NZ$100m!). The actual museum was rather dull, but wandering round the boat itself was much more exciting, especially as they'd recreated the lower class passengers' experience (well, as much as they could. It's hard to simulate of three months' disease and seasickness). 

My latest AirBnB, the Edwin Fox!

My accommodation in Picton was a cabin in the Fawlty Towers of camp-sites just out of town. Although it was actually quite pleasant, everything was extra (such as the wifi). There was free tea and coffee BUT FOR THE FIRST NIGHT ONLY. They wanted $10 just to hire a bed cover. I thought of taking the sheet off one of the spare beds, but there were dark warnings of fines for doing that (how would they know?). However, there was no such warning about using one of their curtains. Richie 1-0 Caravan Park. There was also a train line that went OVER the caravan park which for me is a selling point (unless the steam train goes past while you're asleep). 

Next stop was Blenheim, where I stayed in a far superior caravan park with a swimming pool and a measly free 250MB of wi-fi. They also had another very flat parkrun where I met a chap who went to my school ...

He was in the year below me

Next was a very pleasant bus trip to Nelson, which passed a lot of picturesque swimming spots and hills. Like this one.

I rented another AirBnB in Nelson, and as the owner was away, I thought I had the place to myself. Alas not, when I met at least half a dozen cockroaches scurrying around the kitchen and bathroom. The owner assured me that they were Australian cockroaches and didn't carry diseases. I was sceptical - that would make them practically the only Australian creature that isn't actively trying to harm you. It's a shame, because the place was clean, but after shutting the windows, I didn't see any others (not that I looked too hard). 

I didn't do a great deal in Nelson apart from visit a few local site. The Anglican cathedral certainly looked different to those found in Latin America. 

Nelson Cathedral also had a fine cactus garden at its base, although I fail to see the religious significance.

It also had a funky looking and massive organ...

With 2,500 pipes apparently

And the latest entry in the series "Richie climbs a hill and takes photos from the top", here are some of the fine views from Botanical Hill.

Nelson and Tasman Bay

The Maitai Valley (not to be confused with the cocktail. Or the martial art)

The top of the hill also claims to be the centre of New Zealand. It says so on this monument.

I've got a bit lazy for the last few days. That changes for the next leg, where I'm hiring a car, going kayaking and trekking on Abel Tasman, and then touring the Farewell Spit.