Blogs from Picton, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania

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Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Marlborough » Picton May 22nd 2015

It’s 5:00pm and we are having trouble keeping our eyes open due in part to drinking wine since 10:00am this morning. After three days at sea, we arrived in beautiful New Zealand. It does remind us a bit of the Adirondacks what with the mountains and pine trees but that is where the similarity ends. What used to be fruit farms are now vineyards. and many sheep farms. The sheep are sometimes grazing between the rows of grapes. Sauvignon Blanc is the specialty in this particular region of New Zealand (Marlborough). I found most of it much too citrusy but enjoyed tasting nevertheless. Four wineries later we visited a chocolate factory where everyone sampled but no one purchased as we really don’t want extra calories. We are getting more than we need each and every day. ... read more
Picking out Breakfast
One For the Road
Scenery

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Marlborough » Picton January 9th 2015

Geo: -41.2929, 174.006Today was a spectacular day in the Marlborough Sound with a sparkling, sunny arrival into Picton Harbour via the narrow Tory Channel and Queen Charlotte Sound between Arapawa Island and the East and West Heads. New Zealand's total population is approximately 4.5M. Half live north of Taipo and Napier, 1.5 in Auckland. Picton gets Australia's weather 3 days later. Wellington, on the north island is to the East of Picton, as the islands overlap and the two are connected by regular ferries. Christchurch is a 5hr drive south. The southern island is a 4 hour drive wide and 12 hr drive long. We noticed that the ferries had single entry and also accommodated trains. The ferry is squeezed into a dock, connoted by the squeal of rubber as it docks, to ensure alignment of ... read more
Picton Harbour
Ferry from Victoria Domain
Victoria Domain Hike

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Marlborough » Picton December 18th 2014

And somehow I've reached Thursday and I'm driving back over Takaka Hill without a detailed plan. The one realisation I've come to though is that, despite landing on South Island nine days ago and, in theory, having at least two rest days scheduled in those nine, yesterday was the seventh day in a row in which I've finished the day with my legs singing a mournful tune in complaint at what I've been asking them to do for me. Add in the complaints from the shoulder muscles, the lower back, and the hip and the chorus is getting louder. Yet, still, even with this realisation in mind, I catch my mind looking at the weather forecast (heavy rain) and spotting a gap this afternoon during which we could make it up to, or across to, or ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Marlborough » Picton November 20th 2013

C'est dans une petite vallée d'à peine 15km de large par 40km, coincée entre 2 chaines de montages, alignée plein est, avec tres peu de précipitation que depuis 40 ans on y fait parmis les meilleurs vins blancs au monde. Vous l'aurez deviner, il s'agit de la "mythique" région de Marlborough, pour le faire d'avoir choisi ça comme titre de mon blog ne donne peut être pas grande surprise, mais bon, je n'ai que peu d'imagination pour les titres de mes messages. Pour certains amateur de vins, leur consommation habituelle serait fort différente si ce n'était pas de ce pays remplis de beau, bon, pas cher vin blanc et c'est justement la qu'est notre premier arrêt a mon père et moi. Ne se refusant rien, nous avons décider de faire le tour des vignobles qui offrent ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Marlborough » Picton May 28th 2011

By now we were already well accustomed to the stunning scenery of Kiwi land. Turning many a corner, letting out a big sigh and muttering "wow" was becoming a pretty common occurence. So as we boarded the ferry taking across across the Cook Strait we really should have known that the Marlborough Sounds, the gateway to New Zealands south, was probably going to blow our socks off! It didn't disappoint - rolling green hills descending into endless channels of clear blue water. It was also getting bloody cold. As this country gets more beautiful our own faces seem to be losing their silky summer shine at a worrying rate. Besides the adverse weather conditions a diet of bread, pasta and rice seems to be taking its toll. For those greeting us on our return be warned ... read more
First Sight of the South!
Pasta Pesto
A Kiwi??

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Marlborough » Picton February 15th 2011

Geo: -41.2929, 174.006Dinsdag 15 februariVoor onze laatste dag op het Zuidereiland reden we van Motueka naar Picton. Onderweg zijn gestopt in Havelock. Dat stadje is hier gekend als de plaats waar de New Zealand greenlip mussels vandaan komen. Het zijn zeer smaakvolle grote mosselen in een groene schelp. Uiteraard zijn we die daar gaan eten voor lunch in een mooi restaurantje aan het haventje van Havelock : The slip-inn. Vooral de halve gegrilde mosselen met verschillende toppings is aan te bevelen. In Picton hebben we even door de stad gewandeld en langs het water, waar je een mooi zicht hebt op de Marlborough sound, waar we morgen met de veerboot zullen doorvaren. Straks nog onze laatste nacht in de campervan. Morgen gaat hij mee de boot op en dan ruilen we hem in voor een gewone ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Marlborough » Picton December 11th 2009

Just had 3 nights in the Marlb Sounds, we had really nice weather and took the new kitten (Trixie). We travelled all the way around Kenepuru Sound before returning to The Muddy Windy Place for 2 nights.... read more
Muddy Windy Place
GE Nelson 1

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Marlborough » Picton February 12th 2009

Nelson 22nd - 25th January 2009 For a 'big' (in NZ terms) town, Nelson is really lovely. It's full of hanging baskets with flowers and is easy to walk around in a day. We explored the town and parks and the rather awful 1960's cathedral. It was lovely to sit out in the sun at a cafe drinking coffee and watching the world go by. We stayed in a campsite about 10 minutes away in the Maitai valley. It was next to a river with a swimming hole, which was great fun. Unfortunately, we were starting to get our first taster of South Island sandflies! They are a nightmare from the time you get up, to the time you go to bed. We bought some more repellent, but the buggers always find the tiniest spot you ... read more
Ferry
Marlborough Sounds
Queen Charlotte Sound

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Marlborough » Picton February 5th 2008

Beloved You walked across mountains for my love moved boulders in your deepest sleep opened the hearts of others, through miracles, for me, unfolded the wide universe in your kiss. Still, I forget your name. Still, I forget your presence. "Be Still", you say, and I am. As fears cascade from my eyes and at once, I am healed from all suffering. You have scooped the whole ocean in your hand and given me its bounty, unfolded the pattern of a million stars within your eyes, yet, I forget to look when the sun rises to greet me. And I still turn away when my heart has shattered, like caked mud. But you continue to line my nest with soft feathers to return to, and your call is crisp and clear through the noise, again, ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Marlborough » Picton February 3rd 2008

Hi from the Maitreya Meditation Center.... So, its been a couple weeks since I last wrote and its been kind of a wild ride since then. I will only mark the highlights really to keep the length down a little. When I last wrote, I was in Nelson for a little RnR after the Abel Tasman. The next day I moved on to Kaikora, a small town along the north east coast of the south island. Kaikora is located along a Peninsula and was a once famous whaling town so there was lots of history and a strong fishing culture. It rained here and I was glad my tent held up since it was the first inclement weather we faced together (I actually got soaked trying to move the tent under more tree cover when I ... read more
chimney by the sea
The gang
cliffside walk along the water




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