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Published: March 18th 2008
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Kaitaki
Kaitaki It was up early for the sailing at 08:25, we had to be in line by 07:25. I woke Mum to say goodbye and then Madge and I headed off towards Wellington along familiar highways of my childhood. McKay's crossing that notorious fatal accident railway crossing is now a flyover and apart from some roadworks near Paekakariki it was a good run till I caught up with the tail of the Wellington Motorway slow traffic, I thought is was only Auckland that had this problem. The Kaitaki ferry was already berthed and was bathed in sunshine. Not a breath of wind (most unusual for Wellington) and all was looking good for a calm crossing. Once on board the ferry, Madge went rather quiet. I think the thought of being seasick finally shut her up. The Kaitaki is an improvement on some of the older ferries, the services are much better now and the food was top class. I was lucky enough to see one or two dolphins in the bow waves from time to time. All in all a very pleasant crossing though way too many Australians on board for my liking. Madge was in her element if I could of
found her. I plan to look up my cousin "Library Lill" at the Picton Library, Eleanore has lived in the area for many years and I try to catch up with her when passing through. Well we did catch up and it was Eleanore's lunch time so a coffee and a sandwich over the road from the library and a quick catchup. A fill up of gas and I was on my way again. The trip down the Kaikoura Coast I have done many times before, but it never ceases to amaze me just how beautiful it is. I stopped at all the favorite view points. There were lots of seals basking on the rocks and dozens of seal pups playing in the shallow pools. Years ago when I lived in Nelson, I used to purchase honey from a beekeeper who lived in Kaikoura, I decided to see if he was still there, now I am talking about over 20 years ago here, I turned into the little side street near the Kaikoura airfield and surprise surprise, there was his sign hanging on the rickety old tin fence, the couple are now in their 80's but still going strong. The
Library Lill
Cousin Eleanore outside the Picton Library honey is collected by the bees from a weed "Borage" that grows in the valleys leading up to the Seaward Kaikoura range. I asked if he was still the same person I had visited over 20 years ago and he assure me he had been selling honey from he same site for over 30 years. The trip after that was uneventful and tonight I am booked into the YHA in Manchester St, Christchurch. (Yes I know Jocelyn, I am in the middle of the red light district) Madge has gone out for the night, I think to some Scottish pub around the corner, hope she gets lucky and doesn't need a lift any further. Well tonight Sheryll flies in from Auckland, we are both staying at the YHA again and then tomorrow morning we head south towards Lake Tekapo, so gotta go and get organised and see if I can give Madge the slip
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Malc and Ace
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Update Wednesday 19/3
Hi Muzza and Cheryll. Greatly enjoying your blogs--- have travelled the same routes so many times over the years have lost count -- always a great experience heading South. Hope Cheryll had a nice flight down--- weather still perfect. Love to you both from us here . Keep us posted please. Malc