Yet another NZ entry onto the world stage, this cruise is also advertised as “the only licensed NZ Post Rural delivery service by water in the Queen Charlotte Sound.” In NZ it seems to be important to be one of a kind.
We chose this cruise of the Marlborough Sounds from several that were offered, and it was simply delightful. The four hours just flew as we visited different remote addresses in the Sounds which are only accessible by water, delivering their mail, groceries or whatever. It helped, of course, that it was yet another perfect day.
We sailed out past Bob’s Bay (that little patch of grass) where we had walked (well, almost) in the morning.
Our skipper was a proficient and friendly multitasker, who acted as tour guide, postman, deck hand, ticket collector and also drove the boat. Here he is casually steering with his foot as he gives a lively commentary on our beautiful route. Our graceful catamaran sped swiftly and smoothly over the water like a car. While it seated over 50, there were only four passengers, including us. We were lucky to have the boat and the captain to ourselves, but I couldn’t understand why there weren’t more people enjoying this wonderful experience.
Our first stop was to a writer named Dave, who made a living from his fiction writing to be able to live here. You can just see his house tucked into the trees up the hill. We dropped Dave his mail and some groceries, then off we went.
The view from Dave’s jetty.
Our next stop starred a mail-carrying dog. It’s a shame there weren’t more tourists to admire him.
The owner’s house was higher up the hill, and he set off on his quad bike, with the dogs running along beside.
This resident had lived out here since 1943.
Not a bad lifestyle!
When in full production, this salmon farm can hold a million fish.
It made me think that there could be a possibility of addressing world hunger in this way. I realise that the waste from fish farms can cause environmental damage to coastal waterways, but maybe further out to sea?
Some NZ fur seals were sniffing hopefully around the salmon farm.
Our next stop was at Big Dog Bay, named for this giant Newfoundland Labrador. The dog was only two years old, so this must be a new name – it wasn’t on our map.
Charlotte, who brought her ginger cat out to show us, receives correspondence lessons via the mail boat.
A treat from the mail boat for the black dog.
The mail boat delivered treats to all the dogs on the mail run.
We delivered a couple of loaves of bread. Kathy immediately opened one…..
….. and proceeded to feed the blue cod which came from everywhere. Blue cod (but not these particular pet ones) are a staple part of their diet.
We then spent 20 minutes ashore at beautiful Ship Cove, where Captain Cook landed five times on his first and second voyages between 1770 and 1777.
In Australia, we were taught very little about Cook’s landings in NZ. The story seemed to be that he came to Australia in 1770 and that was it.
Ship Cove has been set up as a beautifully maintained memorial to Cook…..
….. with a Maori emphasis.
Maori carvings welcomed us to a swing bridge.
The bridge featured traditional fern spirals in its supports.
Spiral close up.
Cook brought any sick sailors here for recuperation. Nice hospital setting!
Back onto the boat again.
Ship Cove could have looked much like this when Cook arrived – except for the monument of course.
Sailing out from Ship Cove towards the open sea.
The open sea.
On a clear day, like today, you can just make out the North Island.
Then we turned for home.
Here I am doing my Kate Winslett Titanic thing into the wind, which is blowing my hair off and filling up my jacket.
We stopped at Furneaux Lodge (No Road Inn) to pick up some hikers who were dropped off at Ship Cove in the morning and had walked the 14km over the point. They we a bit late, and we had to wait for them for about ten minutes.
Then we came across a pod of dolphins! Our skipper went in close and cut the engines, so we could have a good look. They were very difficult to photograph, but it was a wonderful feeling being surrounded by leaping dolphins.
Woops – missed!
Shame I missed his nose.
When we sailed away, the dolphins swam with us for a while, diving under the boat and leaping out of the water on the other side. Just having fun.
After another stop at a school camp facility (another dog, another dog biscuit), we returned to Picton Harbour just as the sun was beginning to set, after a truly “magic” mail day.
23rd April 2012.
We chose this cruise of the Marlborough Sounds from several that were offered, and it was simply delightful. The four hours just flew as we visited different remote addresses in the Sounds which are only accessible by water, delivering their mail, groceries or whatever. It helped, of course, that it was yet another perfect day.
We sailed out past Bob’s Bay (that little patch of grass) where we had walked (well, almost) in the morning.
Our skipper was a proficient and friendly multitasker, who acted as tour guide, postman, deck hand, ticket collector and also drove the boat. Here he is casually steering with his foot as he gives a lively commentary on our beautiful route. Our graceful catamaran sped swiftly and smoothly over the water like a car. While it seated over 50, there were only four passengers, including us. We were lucky to have the boat and the captain to ourselves, but I couldn’t understand why there weren’t more people enjoying this wonderful experience.
Our first stop was to a writer named Dave, who made a living from his fiction writing to be able to live here. You can just see his house tucked into the trees up the hill. We dropped Dave his mail and some groceries, then off we went.
The view from Dave’s jetty.
Our next stop starred a mail-carrying dog. It’s a shame there weren’t more tourists to admire him.
The owner’s house was higher up the hill, and he set off on his quad bike, with the dogs running along beside.
This resident had lived out here since 1943.
Not a bad lifestyle!
When in full production, this salmon farm can hold a million fish.
It made me think that there could be a possibility of addressing world hunger in this way. I realise that the waste from fish farms can cause environmental damage to coastal waterways, but maybe further out to sea?
Some NZ fur seals were sniffing hopefully around the salmon farm.
Our next stop was at Big Dog Bay, named for this giant Newfoundland Labrador. The dog was only two years old, so this must be a new name – it wasn’t on our map.
Charlotte, who brought her ginger cat out to show us, receives correspondence lessons via the mail boat.
A treat from the mail boat for the black dog.
The mail boat delivered treats to all the dogs on the mail run.
We delivered a couple of loaves of bread. Kathy immediately opened one…..
….. and proceeded to feed the blue cod which came from everywhere. Blue cod (but not these particular pet ones) are a staple part of their diet.
We then spent 20 minutes ashore at beautiful Ship Cove, where Captain Cook landed five times on his first and second voyages between 1770 and 1777.
In Australia, we were taught very little about Cook’s landings in NZ. The story seemed to be that he came to Australia in 1770 and that was it.
Ship Cove has been set up as a beautifully maintained memorial to Cook…..
….. with a Maori emphasis.
Maori carvings welcomed us to a swing bridge.
The bridge featured traditional fern spirals in its supports.
Spiral close up.
Cook brought any sick sailors here for recuperation. Nice hospital setting!
Back onto the boat again.
Ship Cove could have looked much like this when Cook arrived – except for the monument of course.
Sailing out from Ship Cove towards the open sea.
The open sea.
On a clear day, like today, you can just make out the North Island.
Then we turned for home.
Here I am doing my Kate Winslett Titanic thing into the wind, which is blowing my hair off and filling up my jacket.
We stopped at Furneaux Lodge (No Road Inn) to pick up some hikers who were dropped off at Ship Cove in the morning and had walked the 14km over the point. They we a bit late, and we had to wait for them for about ten minutes.
Then we came across a pod of dolphins! Our skipper went in close and cut the engines, so we could have a good look. They were very difficult to photograph, but it was a wonderful feeling being surrounded by leaping dolphins.
Woops – missed!
Shame I missed his nose.
When we sailed away, the dolphins swam with us for a while, diving under the boat and leaping out of the water on the other side. Just having fun.
After another stop at a school camp facility (another dog, another dog biscuit), we returned to Picton Harbour just as the sun was beginning to set, after a truly “magic” mail day.
23rd April 2012.
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