Scenery Overload

November 16, 2023

Havelock to Wellington

Some days cycle touring can present pleasant surprise after pleasant surprise. Today was one of those wonderful days. It was awash with serendipity.

The day began with 7:30 am start pedalling uphill out of Havelock. Within a kilometre I was presented a choice of two ways to Picton. The flattish, longer main road way, or the shorter, hillier, scenic backroad way.

I chose the scenic, hilly route with a very regal name. Queen Charlotte Drive. Whoever Queen Charlotte was, she should be delighted to be associated with a riding route with truly outstanding views. Dozens of them. Around every corner there was yet another landscape view which deserved minutes of contemplation and dozens of photos. I didn’t do the contemplation thing, but I did take lots of pics.

After about 4 hours of moderately easy pedalling, (except for two substantial hills) I could see a ferry arriving at Port Picton. What were the chances of catching a ferry to the North Island today instead of tomorrow?
The answer is that I’m now in Wellington YHA.

The most difficult thing I’ll do today is select my favourite scenery photos to upload.

Havelock evening view from my pub accommodation

Quiet Havelock. Not even the mussels were out ‘n about.

A short walk to a lookout gave this surprise view of alpine peaks. My guess is it’s Nelson Lakes National Park.

Not so scenic. Hillside being bared by forestry operations.

The locals take pride in their mailboxes

There were quite a few sections of road like this.

Sea kayaking is another popular way to explore the Marlborough Sounds

Dutch sisters heading toward Havelock. Their first day of touring. They arrived from Europe in Auckland and had used trains and the ferry to reach the South Island.

Plantation grown pine logs being loaded for export. Near Picton.

Yay! Lucky timing. That’s the inbound Blue Ridge ferry. In a couple of hours it will head back to Wellington.

Quite a few other cycle tourers rolled into the ferry terminal. I had good company onboard. I re-met a Japanese cycle tourist from Tokyo who I saw at Hira yesterday. And met a Swiss French rider who was about to conclude a long ride, sell his bike and return home.

Today's ride: 41 km (25 miles)
Total: 131 km (81 miles)

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Robyn RichardsLovely pics, Graham. We live in Picton and drive and cycle the Queen Charlotte Drive route a bit. As you would've seen, two massive weather events in the past two years have taken their toll on the road. Looking forward to following your journey north.
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5 months ago

Graham SmithTo Robyn RichardsThanks Robyn. Picton is one of my favourite towns. The view from its waterfront is outstanding.
Yes I noticed the widespread damage from February’s cyclone in the Hawke’s Bay region, and heard some stories about sheer volume of water.
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5 months ago