A2O Cycle Road Trip 16–Westport to Wellington

Just driving today, Westport to Picton and on the Bluebridge Ferry to Wellington.

Love the Buller Gorge road, great in any mode of transport but especially this one!

I found LOVE on the side of the road at Inangahua Junction!

The Upper Buller Gorge is higher!

The obligatory stop at Lake Rotoiti, St Arnaud. Beginning to think it is always cloudy and grey here. Have only visited three times but always struck this kind of weather. Didn’t linger long, the sand flies saw to that!

Hard to believe this is just down the road, other side of the ridge heading down the Wairau Valley.

Italian car meets Marlborough Vines.

Back to Picton, eleven days ago BART drove off the same ferry!

I had to check in at 13:00 for a 14:00 ferry, got some treats to eat for lunch while I waited. I can recommend “Le Posh Patisserie”. It is on Wellington Street, East side of the main shopping area, and well worth finding.

The croissant (not in photo) was nice, the coffee éclair was too, but so rich I ended up keeping the apple slice pastry for later!

BART on Bluebridge, no terrible turning circle U turn troubles this time as was straight on.

Goodbye ‘Mainland’, it was fun, I’ll be back!

Although it looks OK above, the crossing was windy, maybe 20-30 knots, but the sea was pretty flat considering.

Love watching them dock these things, shore crew look tiny from t he top deck.

Off the ferry I headed back to the Foreshore Motor Lodge, Petone, where I stayed on the way down. Was glad I had booked as it was full (being a Saturday). Planned to go out for dinner but by the time I settled in could not be bothered. "Dinner" was an odd collection of left overs from the travels; kettle chips, my ‘breakfast’ Greek Berry yoghurt with dried cranberries, a banana & apple, the ‘saved’ Apple French Pastry and Jed's coffee!

About ~305km driving and a few more parked on a ferry.