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Published: September 21st 2016
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Well I'm not so sure about the 2am ferry crossing. But we did want to beat the forecasted gale warning. Arriving a little tired but safely in Picton on a very early still Thursday morning. It was time to disembark, find a room with a view, breakfast and try and grab a couple of hours sleep.
We found the perfect parking spot with views down by the marina ($1 per hour or $5 per day). They have about 4 campervan spots (no you are unable to camp the night here). After a sleep, coffee and a bit of lunch we headed off to do the Tirohanga track (took us about 1hr 20 mins return from the Marina). We started at the Newgate Rd end (Loop track) as it was close to the Marina. The track climbs steadily and you get some lovely views as you wind up the hillside to the Lookout. From the Lookout point at the top of the hill you get spectacular views over Picton, Marina, the Port and Queen Charlotte Sounds, so well worth the short hike. The track down the other side is shorter but steeper with very little views. At this time of the
year there is plenty of moss and slippery clay so do be careful if it is wet). This track ends at a carpark on Garden Terrace, from here it is only a short stroll back to town.
Packed up and off to one of our favourite spots …….Marfells DOC Camp (Clifford Bay). The weather forecasted is for rain and gale force winds. We ended up staying here for 4 days with our room with a view right on the beach. A few walks up and down the beach in the blustery wind kept the cobwebs away. North the beach is pebbly and the walking a little difficult as it is steep and you tend to sink into the pebbly sand, but visiting the wharf at this end is still worth the effort. Today a fisherman was trying his luck. I hope he is keeping an eye out for those big waves rolling in. I spent quite a bit of time collecting different coloured pebbles along the way. Lance lovingly sanded and polished them (Yeah Right ….I washed them and dipped them in vegetable oil; I think that’s what the cheats do anyway). The sandy beach in front of the
camp has a fair bit of pink weed washed up and in places around the Southern end it was a bit smelly. The day we left Marfell’s we walked out to Cape Campbell lighthouse just as we had done in April but the weather completely different. No blue skies and light winds, just a grey, freezing cold southerly with the odd drizzle. The walk takes about 2.5-3 hrs and needs to be done around the low tide. If you leave it too late you could get stuck and with the high cliffs there is no way out but swim. We managed to find a nice sheltered spot on the side of the lighthouse to have lunch and admire the view. It doesn’t matter what the weather is doing it’s still a top spot.
Wards Beach was next on our agenda. Now this is a lovely rugged spot. Again we were able to park with a room with a view over the beach (on a 4
th generation family’s farm). The beach here is steep and it looks quite unforgiving especially these last few days. There is a very successful Cray fishing business owned by 3 brothers who launch their boats
here using bulldozers. Country Calendar this Saturday (24
th September) is running a program on this Cray fishing business. No doubt there will be some good footage of this stunning area. We ended up staying here a couple of nights and enjoyed some blustery cold walks on the beach. Yesterday we walked North to Chancet Rocks its actually not too far but the walk is slow as you sink into the pebbles. As we walked around the corner of the rocks we were startled by the seals scrambling to get away from us. Hadn’t seen any on our walk up the beach so didn’t really expect them. We perched ourselves high on a rock face and just admired the view and watched the seals. Once the chill set in we decided to head for home collecting more pebbles on the way. I wasn’t allowed as many (I think Lance is concerned next time we have to take the motorhome over the weigh bridge). So after being married almost 30 years we have become very good at compromising, he said I could have 4 and I collected 9 (actually they probably weighed more than the jar I collected at Marfells😊). It’s time
to warm up with a coffee and a scone.
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