Sounds, Seals and Springages

Monday I took the ferry over to Picton on the south island. The journey was almost 4 hours and pretty Dullsville until we reached Charlotte Sound at twilight, ethereal.

First sighting of Picton.

Nothing major to report other than my car wouldn't start and I was the last fooking car to disembark; many thanks to the nice, kind man with jump leads. Fortunately I had booked into a hostel for a couple of nights because when I arrived in Picton it was almost ten! For the first night I had the dorm all to my little old self; I slept like a log, no snoringtons to contend with:)

Tuesday was a chilled affair. The morning was spent catching up on choros in the libes; I'm looking for CS hosties but there seems a distinct lack in south island. After lunch I climbed a hill to get this marvellous view of Picton and The Sounds.

I also did a very disappointing reservoir walk, the label itself conjuring up pictures of Ladybower and Carsington Water. No such luck, I followed a rusty old pipe for an hour just to see an ugly concrete dam with the small, dirty lake it was containing. Still I shouldn't be ungrateful, I have seen some truly amazing things. I did see this waterfall and managed to keep the broken old pipes out of shot.

I also saw this flightless bird but alas it is not an elusive kiwi.

Wednesday i was going to see the famous Edwin Fox ship which promised much...

But delivered little as I grabbed a sneaky peekage through the fence. False advertising if you ask me, I decided not to bother.

So I headed south. Check out the seal colony at Ohau Point.

Then I headed inland to the hot springs at Maruia which I had been told were free. However when I arrived somebody had built a resort and Japanese Bath house there and it was 20 bucks a day. As it was already late afternoon I decided to find a campsite and erect tentage. In the morning I discovered a rotting sheep next door, that will explain the stench and the flies.

I spent 4 happy hours nude in the bath house soaking in the hot, sulphurous waters; it was also an opportunity to read more bookage and I learnt all about WYSIATI (What You See Is All There Is) and how we are evolutionary programmed to jump to conclusions which aren't necessarily based on evidence and more often than not formed from bias. I also learnt about the halo effect which brings me back to that dazzling charm thing...

The road to the springs was called Lewis' Pass and cut right through the mountains. The views were breathtaking but mistakenly I thought I could get some photos today on my way to Christchurch. No such luck, it has been pissing it down all day:( I am now at a free camp 10 k outside the city and it's still raining dogs and cats and blowing a fooking gale. I bought a mallet in Picton, the best 10 buckaroos I ever did spend:D