Day 4 - 24 Feb
We were up at the crack of dawn (again) and walked to the bakery for opening at 6 am to get some yummy sandwiches for lunch.
We lugged our now super heavy suitcases (as we plan to carry as little as possible in our day-packs) to Cougar Lines at the port for transport for each leg of our 5-day walk along the Queen Charlotte Track (QCT). The Marlborough Sounds at this time of the day look amazing.
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After check-in at Cougar, we got a coffee then off across the Marlborough Sounds on a picturesque 1.5 hour boat cruise to Ship Cove to start our walk. The Sounds are a network of sea-drowned valleys at the northern end of the South Island of New Zealand.
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We were passed by some enormous cruise ships making their way into Picton.
Beautiful day - perfect temperature, no rain (although some is predicted tomorrow) and SMOOTH sailing. We started walking shortly before 10 am - after checking out the monument to Cook (Capt. James) who landed the Endeavour here in January 1770.
We had a hike of about 6 kms to Schoolhouse Bay where we lucked on a seat just vacated by someone and enjoyed lunch and the scenery across the turquoise water.
We are not walking fast, AND we are stopping for photos - so the other walkers push on ahead although we often meet up again in places where everyone stops at the viewpoints. We have come across one guy with a HUGE pack who is camping along the way and walking today to Camp Bay which is AFTER our destination …; and one girl RAN past …
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Did I say ‘NO rain’? Well, I shouldn’t have said that at lunchtime, as by early afternoon the clouds came in and a light drizzle accompanied us the rest of the way. NOTE TO SELF: beware the weather forecasts!
The afternoon was a bit of a slog across the Tawa Saddle to Endeavour Inlet where our lodge is located. But great views.
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It seemed a very long 11 kms after lunch and the feet needed some repairs along the way for some hotspots.
We finally arrived at Furneaux Lodge about 4 pm with the wind blowing madly and were pleased to see our suitcases had been delivered to our cabin which overlooks the bay.
Hot shower, delicious (!) dinner, made our lunches for tomorrow and as the light is fading and light rain is falling we prepare for hopefully a good, restorative sleep!
Lights out: heavy rain now. Glad we aren't walking in it. Ominous for tomorrow?
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