{"id":676,"date":"2015-12-16T16:14:46","date_gmt":"2015-12-17T00:14:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.fmsreliability.com\/adventures\/?p=676"},"modified":"2016-07-05T15:54:59","modified_gmt":"2016-07-05T22:54:59","slug":"queen-charlotte-track","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fmsreliability.com\/adventures\/2015\/12\/16\/queen-charlotte-track\/","title":{"rendered":"Marlborough Sounds"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"View<\/a>

View of cruise ship across isthmus at Picton<\/p><\/div>\n

February 19<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Sign<\/a>

Sign at Picton<\/p><\/div>\n

We woke up to brilliant blue skies this morning and had breakfast downstairs with two young ladies from Austria. Greg drove us to the water taxi\u00a0office and we had ample time to check in for our 10am departure. Since we were spending one night on the track, Fred and I put a change of clothes and our toiletries into a single smallish bag for the water tax\u00a0to deliver to our lodging on the track. \u00a0So all we had to carry was a daybag and camera.<\/p>\n

\"Water<\/a>

Water taxi leaving Ships Cove<\/p><\/div>\n

It was about a 40-minute trip to Ship Cove\u00a0where about\u00a02 dozen of us\u00a0disembarked. \u00a0The first portion of the track is the steepest, so you can get it out of the way. \u00a0A couple in our group was in their mid-80’s and said they did the track every year! \u00a0At the bottom of the hill, we took a side track to Schoolhouse Bay and ate our lunch. \u00a0It was very tranquil (we were the only ones there!) and gazed at a schooner anchored in the bay.<\/p>\n

\"Relief!\"<\/a>

Relief!<\/p><\/div>\n

As we got closer to Endeavor Inlet, there were more signs of activity. \u00a0We found our B&B and Colleen showed us around the property. \u00a0It was a little wanting of attention, but very comfortable. \u00a0The footbath was much appreciated by Fred.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"View<\/a>

View of Resolution Bay<\/p><\/div>\n

We relaxed the rest of the afternoon, enjoying the view of Endeavor Inlet. Then our dinner arrived around 6pm. When we told Greg, at Fernview Cottage, which B&B we were staying at on the QCT, his comment was, \u201cColleen\u2019s a great cook!\u201d \u00a0We had some of the best lamb and side dishes, followed by lemon curd mousse!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

February 20<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Early<\/a>

Early morning, Endeavor Inlet<\/p><\/div>\n

Our breakfast makings were in the room and we helped ourselves to\u00a0cereal, fruit, juice, and coffee. Once we said goodbye to our hosts, and got her recipe for the lamb, we were on our way. Today\u2019s journey would end at Punga Cove Resort, where our water-taxi would pick us up.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Friendly<\/a>

Friendly Weka<\/p><\/div>\n

Fred got some pictures of the sound in the early morning stillness and then we checked out Furneaux Lodge. \u00a0It was quite different than our little 2-room Bed and Breakfast. It had large grounds with manicured lawns, a restaurant, large boat dock, and paved walkways.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Today’s walk was much easier than the day before. \u00a0We\u00a0stopped to eat our lunch at a picnic table along the way that Colleen had prepared for us. \u00a0As soon as we got the food out, a friendly Weka came to join us. \u00a0These birds are flightless and will establish territory. They are unafraid of humans and resemble a wild chicken. \u00a0We finished up just as another couple approached, wanting the table. \u00a0I think this was the only picnic table we saw in our two days of walking the track.<\/p>\n

\"Pod<\/a>

Pod of Hector Dolphins, seen in Queen Charlotte Sound<\/p><\/div>\n

Punga Cove Resort has a large dock with a cafe and tables. \u00a0Fred and I ordered a beer and then heard someone calling our name. \u00a0It was Colleen, who had come over on a boat. \u00a0Hmm, that would have saved us some walking! \u00a0We had plenty of time to relax. \u00a0The water taxi was running almost an hour late. \u00a0I can’t fault them though. \u00a0There was a pod of Hector Dolphins in the sound and we stopped on our journey back to Picton to watch them.<\/p>\n

Back at Picton, we had our second dinner at Le Cafe. \u00a0This time we got a table on the sidewalk, looking right out to the sound. \u00a0It was a beautiful view and we had a great conversation with our waitress from Wisconsin.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

February 21<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Today was the ferry crossing between the islands. \u00a0Fortunately, we could take our car on the ferry, rather than having to return it and pick up a new car in Wellington. \u00a0The entire procedure for loading vehicles was very organized – of course they do this several times a day! \u00a0Large trucks load first, followed by cars, followed by campervans. \u00a0You drive into the bowel of the ferry and make a U-turn. \u00a0So in the end, there were about 10 lanes facing out and one lane facing in. \u00a0Then you head to the stairs. \u00a0At this point it got a bit confusing. \u00a0It seemed like every lounge had a sign saying it was “private, members only”. \u00a0We finally asked a member of the crew where we could sit and he told us, “anywhere!”<\/p>\n

\"Onboard<\/a>

Onboard InterIsland Ferry<\/p><\/div>\n

So Fred and I got comfortable in one of the lounges on an upper deck. \u00a0I mostly read, with several breaks to see the passing scenery. \u00a0It is about an hour through the Marlborough Sounds, an hour between islands, and an hour into the bay at Wellington. \u00a0We had very calm seas, fortunately.<\/p>\n

\"Wellington<\/a>

Wellington waterfront<\/p><\/div>\n

Our destination, once we disembarked, was about an hour north of Wellington. \u00a0We passed over a mountain range and the roads were very steep and\u00a0squiggly. \u00a0But the scenery was outstanding! \u00a0We were going to the winery region of Wairarapa Valley. \u00a0First stop was Greytown for a chocolate shop stop and groceries.<\/p>\n

\"Schoc<\/a>

Schoc Chocolates<\/p><\/div>\n

After the green of Northland, the green of Takaka Valley, the green of Marlborough Sounds, the dry and brown landscape of Wairarapa was startling. It\u2019s very flat as well.<\/p>\n

We found Schoc Chocolates easily and were the only customers in the place initially. \u00a0Then the place got packed and I think the storekeeper got a little overwhelmed. \u00a0They had a great selection of chocolates. \u00a0Then we stocked up on groceries at the market a few blocks away and headed to Martinborough.<\/p>\n

I can\u2019t say I was overly impressed with Greytown. Online, they make it look very charming and a mecca for quaint antique stores. There didn\u2019t seem to be that much going on there. And there really didn\u2019t seem to be much going on at Martinborough either. We took a walk that evening to find some geocaches and only a couple of pubs near the Memorial Square showed any signs of life. It all seemed rather desolate. There were loads of signs for wine tasting at wineries outside of town.<\/p>\n

\"Wood<\/a>

Wood Pidgeon on Queen Charlotte Track<\/p><\/div>\n

The truly bright spot was the place we rented though. It was this gorgeous little 1920\u2019s refurbished cottage! It had beautiful rustic wood floors, full kitchen, eggs and bacon\u00a0in the fridge, washer\/dryer, fresh flowers in every room, and loads of charm.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Adventure Continues>>><\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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