On the trains

New Zealand has 3 iconic train trips: The Coastal Express, Northern Explorer and Transalpine. The Coastal goes from Christchurch to Picton where you then catch the Interislander ferry that links the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The North Island has been hit by a cyclone(Gabrielle) that has disrupted many services.

It was an early start….7.00am but checking in from 6.30am. I wanted to take a photo of all the sleeping passengers but my companions thought that was a bad idea. 

 Over waterways

 
   Vineyards

 Along the coast

Through heavy rain showers (we were glad we weren’t driving)

More farms and vineyards with the occasional stop at stations.

Blenheim was a very popular destination. I wonder if it had anything to do with the sign.     Picton is only 26km past Blenheim.

Salt is harvested from the sea in large ponds. They were once part of a lagoon but a business man saw the potential for salt production. The salt takes on a pink colour because of a naturally occurring algae.The salt is mainly used for industrial purposes such as paper making and ceramics.

Cloudy Bay and the Cook Strait are next.

Picton at last! Down to the ferry to book in ready to go in an hour. Oh no! It’s delayed and is not leaving until 7.00pm😕. At least we are on it ….so many people  can’t get on it as there are limited spots. Off to explore the town before the rains come again. 
Look there is a maritime museum! No grimaces. This is a museum to celebrate the ship the Edward Fox. This was a sailing ship built in India in 1853 from 1000 teak trees. It was brought to England where its hull was strengthened with iron ribs. These are still in good condition.     
This ship had many hats.

It was a:

*troop carrier in the Crimean War 

* trader for charter

*transported Chinese workers to Cuba to work in the sugar plantations

*convict transport to Fremantle in Australia 

*Cargo of beer, wine and tea to and from the East so known as the Tea tank and Booze barge

*Troop ship for casualties from Bombay

* Immigrant ship to New Zealand and Australia 

* refitted as a refrigeration ship first for transport and then for storage in New Zealand.

She is now at her last port in Picton. I don’t think I would like to be an immigrant on her , unless I was wealthy.

Steerage families , of up to 7 , people would sleep in the same bunk. The mattresses were often damp from water , and animal waste seeping down from the deck. Definitely choose a bottom bunk.Rations were not great either. Pea soup  with potatoes for 4days, stew from salted meat the rest. You were given 3 litres of water for drinking, washing and laundry. Imagine the smell.

Picton as a port is pretty.

Hurrah the ferry is here!  Boarding soon.