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Published: July 27th 2009
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The 3 hour ferry crossing between Wellington on the North Island and Picton on the south is a very pleasant experience. Especially the last half hour or so, when the boat ventures into Queen Charlotte Sound. I enjoyed it so much, I decided I'd stay a night in Picton for a bit of a mosey around, rather than scoot straight off on a bus elsewhere like 90% of people from the ferry (official statistic folks).
So, that required finding a hostel. Potentially a tricky task, made easy by one simple bit of advertising. The Villa was offering (and I quote) "Free apple crumble every night". Suddenly, there was no decision to be made, I left my stuff and went for a walk. Actually, first I went to the supermarket to get a packet of crisps, then to the internet to book a bus for the next day, but you didn't need to know that.
My particular walk was to "The Snout" which was a track that led back along a peninsula, kind of going the opposite way to where the boat came in. I thought the views looked good from the boat, but from a slightly higher vantage point
along the peninsula they were just amazing. Everyone says the south island is better tourist wise than the north, and it had certainly got off to a good start. The only thing I would say is that if you walk to the Snout, don't bother actually going to the end of the trail. The view from Queen Charlotte Sound lookout is as good as it gets.
There were 2 other moments of interest on my meanderings, the first being a rather embarrasing moment that has been brewing for some time. You see, when I walk on my own, I like to put on my Ipod and kind of lose myself in my own little world. Now, you know the phrase "Dance like noones watching". I was, and sadly someone was watching. I scurried on redfaced. However, all this seemed immaterial, when I spotted a kiwi... or so I thought. Until now, I hadnt seen a picture of a kiwi, but knew they were shy creatures that hid in bushes. So when I spotted a bird nosing out of the bush, then retreating when it saw me I thought "bingo". Twenty minutes of statueness led to it getting up the
courage to pop out, and I snapped what I thought was a prize winning photo. That was, until the New Zealander back at the hostel informed me that the bird definitely wasn't a kiwi, it was a weka. Damn.
And so to the days highlight, the apple crumble. I am pleased to report that it was delightful, although sadly accompanied by ice cream rather than custard. I also very nearly lost a mouthful of said crumble in shock, when I heard a Frenchman at the table telling some people that he was hijacking his way around New Zealand. Fortunately, he'd just got his English in a bit of a muddle, and of course meant hitchhiking, but it still gave me the best laugh Ive had in a while.
Stewart
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