Saturday 12th January. Ferry to North Island and Martinborough

We woke early but once again the lovely lady wife refused to assume a vertical position before receiving her customary cup of tea in bed.

Our schedule told us that we needed to be there by 08:00 but looking at the Interislander web site it appeared that the ferry did not leave until 10:00.Taking no chances we arrived at 08:00 to find nobody there! After a few minutes a lady arrived who looked at our schedule, confirmed that the ferry was at 10:00 and with a cheery “no worries” suggested we return in a few minutes. We pulled over and breakfast was served including the hugely expensive muesli.

The journey through the Marlborough Sounds was quite spectacular; a shimmering blue sea and the usual dense vegetation right down to the waters edge. We stayed outside at the bow of the ship until it left the sounds for the Cook Strait and then retreated for a coffee. We emerged again as the ship started to approach Wellington Harbour to be greeted by an incredible gale which threaten to blow everyone overboard. We braved it for a about 15 mins and then retreated again.

We had decided to spend the night in Martinborough, the heart of one of the North Islands wine areas and headed away from Welling. To start with the 2 road was straight and easy but just before a town called Featherstone it began a fairly trick ascent over the hills and off course then a trick descent. All safely navigated and we arrived in Martinborough in time for a little light wine tasting (excellent) and a very good dinner at the Cafe Medici (10% discount with our Top Ten camp site card!).

Martinborough is a pretty little town and clearly the wine industry is thriving here with lots more land available for vine planting should it be required.