Hello,

How you are all keeping well. I'm now in Nelson. I like the town, although the internet cafes are behind the times. The computers are very slow and I'm unable to down load my pictures, so you will have to wait for a while. However, the sun is shining and I'm still smiling as ever.

Here's an update of the past week  or so.

PICTON

I had a great time here, depsite the rain. My crossing over from Wellington was good and my stomach was very much intact. My hostel, (Bayview Backpackers) was very warm and friendly. I became good friends with the owner and Steph who helped out there. Due to bad weather, I became an industrious and domesicated creature, making mulled wine, homemade soup and flap-jacks, (my sister's recipe). The mulled wine and flap-jacks went down a storm and many travellers have been educated in the making fine brews and flap-jacks...

Picton is a pretty town and is the gateway to the south island. I met up with Kirsten in Picton and we organised our 3 day hike along the Queen Charlotte track. Picton is also the best place to explore the Marlborough Sounds. I have very fond memories in Picton, even when I picked muscles off the beach and was bitterly disappointed because 95% of them didn't open. I was sad to leave but I know I will return there again.

QUEEN CHARLOTTE TRACK (3 DAY HIKE)

The Queen Charlotte track is 73 km. The track took us through wonderful coastal scenery, beautiful coves and sub tropical forests. Kirsten and I had 3 great days, even the weather brightened up for us. The track is well established and well sign posted, (idiot proof, it passed the test, we didn't get lost). It's not very challenging in term's of gradient, but our days were long. On our way to Ship's Cove, (landing site of Captain Cook), we saw lots of dolphins. It was a magical sight. Our first night was spent at Noeline's Hostel. Noeline is a 75yr lady who runs and owns the hostel. She is an amazing character and loves sharing her travelling stories. A few years ago she went to Cambodia and travelled about on the back of a scooter! She made us feel very welcome and made us tea and home made scones. Our second hostel was also good. We had 2 beds in the entire room, (no cramped spaces here). The french window, opened up onto the veranda which overlooked the bay. I forgot say, that Noeline's hostel had fantasic views too. Our third day was perhaps the easiest, (thankfully). It was a 6.5 hr hike. We celebrated the end of the hike by drinking tea and eating carrot cake in the rain. (Bloody good cake, although not as good as my sister's). We loved every minute of it.

Check out the pictures of the native birds, the wood pegion, (big b*****s) and the Weka, a flightless bird.  

Well that's it for me for the moment. I'm off to the visiters centre to find out about the day hikes in and around the area.  Take care of yourselfs as always.

Love Annie.