Another one fingered post on my phone……
Time for a guided tour of the Beehive in Wellington, the NZ parliament. First women in the world to be granted the vote (1893); they abolished the upper House and now have PR. Very go-ahead I would say.
Incredibly rough crossing to S Island. Most of the passengers very sick….but not me :0)
Met Mauro & Enzo (from Italy) on the ferry and they kindly donated to the fund.
Picked up from ferry by John & Ros Stace in their speedboat and whisked off to their holiday home in the Marlborough Sounds. Ros is national President of Save the Children NZ.
My bedroom has an amazing view over Waterfall Sound. I could get used to this! But, back to the tent tonight.
First day on S Island: sunny but much cooler, and a dispiriting headwind all day…….. Did 50km less than I had hoped for, but detained in Picton by the preserved remains of the Edwin Fox, a 19th century wooden ship used for transporting prisoners and emigrants to Australia & NZ. Our friend Jean’s great grandfather had been the first captain to take emigrants out to NZ.
This journey is a three course meal. N Island proved to be a substantial starter. S Island, I know, will be filling main course. And Australia, I hope, will conclude the meal with a sweet, creamy dessert.
Now I just need to choose the wines…..
And if Steve Wesson reads this (he’s just started from Cape Reinga) get your head down so we can share a beer at the bottom!
Donate: http://www.justgiving.com/Frank-Burns1
does that mean that Jean’s great gdad was taking convicts out from england to nz and oz. ?
Sam, I understand his cargo were entirely paying passengers going as settlers…….
Very interesting what you said about not being sick on the ferry crossing, Frank. Many years ago (I was about 23) Keith Wagstaff and I took the ferry from Algeciras in S Spain across to Morocco. We got knocked every which way by a nasty storm, and everybody on that boat was sick except for the two of us. A German next to us said: “It’s different for you guys. You have the sea in your blood” At the time I remember dismissing the remark with a smile. Now – 40 years and 40 trips later – I wonder …
Interesting observation Peter. I put it down to the cyclist in me used to constant motion……
Your photos are stunning. You seem to be having a great time and meeting up with some wonderful folk. Hope you don’t encounter too many more headwinds.