Monday, November 11th, 2013
This morning we had a wonderful two hour trip east through the Rai Valley and then south through the Wairau Valley winery route of Marlborough to Blenheim. After dropping passengers off, we drove 20 minutes north to Picton, a picturesque town on the coast of Queen Charlotte Sound and terminal for the Interislander Ferry to Wellington on the North Island.
We were too early to check into our accommodation so we went in search of good coffee and eggs benedict (found!) before heading out to explore the town on foot. We picked up a self-guided historical landmark tour guidebook from the museum and enjoyed a tour and short hike on the coast until checking in and resting our feet (and eyes and bodies) before heading back out to complete the tour.
Pictured here is the harbour and Queen Charlotte Sound from Picton (could almost be the Douglas Channel).
The winds became pretty wild by 5 pm so we decided we were ready for happy hour and dinner at an Irish pub. Most of the pub's patrons this evening were women 'of a certain age'. At least 5 of them were in town ready to begin hiking the Queen Charlotte Track tomorrow. We had investigated this earlier in the day. There are lots of options doing the track - cycling, kayaking or walking part, or all of it in anywhere between 1 and 5 days. It is just over 70 km long and is located on a peninsula on Queen Charlotte Sound, just across from Picton. There are campsites and lodges along the route. Three of the women we spoke to are walking the entire track, with support, in 4 days. That means their gear will be transported for them, lunches and dinners supplied and they only have to carry a day pack. There will be a hot tub or shower, wine, a good hot meal and bed ready for them at the end of every day of walking.
Every traveler is familiar with the requirement find public toilets - especially as one ages. Never in my life have I experienced anything as surprising as what I experienced on the quay in Picton.
Upon entering and sliding the door closed a man's voice reminds you to press the closed button which lights up the occupied sign outside and he also reminds you that you have a maximum 10 minutes to use the facility. Then the music begins! It was an orchestral rendition of "What the world needs now is love, sweet love..." Each cubical is at least 8x10 feet - large enough for a family to enter and use together. Press a lit button to obtain toilet paper, flushing begins automatically when hand washing begins, and the entire unit is programmed to self clean. I was so amazed that I took photos before exiting. Outside, Tina was laughing - just as thrilled as I at her experience in the neighbouring unit. She'd taken a video while in there because she wanted the music!!! There are at least three of these double units around Picton - they must have cost a fortune but are almost maintenance-free, I suppose. What a treat compared to some of the porta-potty type facilities we see in Canada and the squat holes we've experienced in less advanced parts of the world.
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