A short drive through Invercargill this morning takes us to Bluff on the the southern end of the South Island where we catch the ferry to Oban on Stewart Island.
After dropping off Betty in the secure parking we head across to the ferry terminal. As its not a very big ferry its also not a very big ferry terminal, nor is it very busy today. We are the only ones in the waiting room, and in fact we make up 40% of the passengers when we actually board the boat. In fact there are more crew than passengers!
As we are making our way out of the harbour Captain Tono lets us know that it is going to be a fine day for crossing the Foveaux Strait. Mrs M still doesn't look very convinced, but sends me off to get a cuppa and a biscuit none the less.
The crossing is actually pretty smooth (or as Mrs M would say 'the roughest crossing I have ever had!') and we are lucky to see a huge Royal Albatross about halfway across the strait. Captain Tono slows the boat down and we spend some time on the back deck just watching it soar around us.
Shortly after we slow down again as we are nearing Oban, and with the sun out it is a lovely view as we make our way into Oban harbour.
At the ferry terminal we are met for our 'courtesy transfer' to our accommodation. This is brilliant as Jean (the lady who meets us) drives us all round town and points out where everything is, and I mean everything, the fire station, the pub, the library, the school, the restaurant, the rugby pitch, the merino shop, everything!
We quickly dump our things in our room and then head out to enjoy the lovely afternoon, starting with a picnic lunch on the beach, an explore of Oban and then a lovely DOC walk through the rainforest to get some really great views over Stewart Island.
We finish off with a well deserved drink in the pub - although Mrs M was disappointed at not being able to get a cup of tea as the kitchen didn't open until 5.30pm. Oh well this is island life after all!
We go out to tea to the Church Hill Restaurant and enjoy a lovely tea before a walk up the very steep hill back to Lodge - we will sleep well tonight.
Mr & Mrs M
After dropping off Betty in the secure parking we head across to the ferry terminal. As its not a very big ferry its also not a very big ferry terminal, nor is it very busy today. We are the only ones in the waiting room, and in fact we make up 40% of the passengers when we actually board the boat. In fact there are more crew than passengers!
As we are making our way out of the harbour Captain Tono lets us know that it is going to be a fine day for crossing the Foveaux Strait. Mrs M still doesn't look very convinced, but sends me off to get a cuppa and a biscuit none the less.
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| A calm day on the Foveaux Strait |
Shortly after we slow down again as we are nearing Oban, and with the sun out it is a lovely view as we make our way into Oban harbour.
At the ferry terminal we are met for our 'courtesy transfer' to our accommodation. This is brilliant as Jean (the lady who meets us) drives us all round town and points out where everything is, and I mean everything, the fire station, the pub, the library, the school, the restaurant, the rugby pitch, the merino shop, everything!
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| Kelvin enjoying the view from the Lodge |
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| Mrs M in the Jungle - Stewart Island |
We go out to tea to the Church Hill Restaurant and enjoy a lovely tea before a walk up the very steep hill back to Lodge - we will sleep well tonight.
Mr & Mrs M
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