Solstice in Picton today

[teigenes]

Couldn't help myself but had to go and photograph Solstice  while she  is in Port today . In 10 days time it will be us back here in Picton. Its a glorious day so hope it will be the same on Boxing Day! 2nd photo is Picton and 3rd Queen Charlotte Sound from Picton 

Edited December 17, 2018 by teigenes

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Thanks for the pics. What a beautiful clear day, lets hope it stays like that for the holidays.

[Dobby_The_Ship_Elf]

stunning place to cruise into

[MicCanberra]

Great pics of a great ship in a great place. Cheers.

[kiwichick62]

Can I please order a sunny day in Picton for January 22nd, I will be arriving on the Solstice that morning.  Thanks for posting those great pictures.  😊

[MicCanberra]

Picton is wine country so always nice, especially by the afternoon if you know what I mean..

[mr walker]

4 hours ago, kiwichick62 said:

Can I please order a sunny day in Picton for January 22nd, I will be arriving on the Solstice that morning.  Thanks for posting those great pictures.  😊

 

We would like a sunny day for Jan 20th, as we are taking the Interislander Ferry from Picton to Wellington that morning, ahead of boarding Radiance in Auckland on 24th.

[MicCanberra]

I hope you both get your wishes.

[teigenes]

18 hours ago, kiwichick62 said:

Can I please order a sunny day in Picton for January 22nd, I will be arriving on the Solstice that morning.  Thanks for posting those great pictures.  😊

 

I'll be back in Picton by then so will do my best for you both!!!!   

[MicCanberra]

Good job, perhaps lay on a couple of nice bottles as well.

[teigenes]

3 hours ago, MicCanberra said:

Good job, perhaps lay on a couple of nice bottles as well.

 

A couple of bottles of good  Marlborough Sauvignon  Blanc  might do the trick for the weather Gods!! 😎

[MicCanberra]

Yep, and if not they will help console you.

[mr walker]

10 hours ago, teigenes said:

 

I'll be back in Picton by then so will do my best for you both!!!!   

Hi, just after a bit of advice from a local, if that's ok. On our driving tour we will be travelling from Westport to Picton on 19th Jan - we are staying at Waikawa that evening ahead of Interislander Ferry trip (don't think it counts as a cruise - about 3.5 hrs, unless I guess Gilligan is on-board??) on 20th. I realise we should have allocated more time for the NE of South Is, but it's locked in now.

Two questions:

1. what are must sees from Westport to Picton

2. I am thinking of going via Nelson, and along the road around the bottom of the sound to Picton, rather than the way the internet wants me to go, via Blenheim - good idea or not?

 

Thanks

[Ned Flanders]

Thank you teigenes!

 

Weather looking pretty damn good at 23 degrees on Boxing Day in Picton when we five will be lucky enough to be on board

[MicCanberra]

When we were in Picton, I hired a car and drove to Havelock along the bottom of the sounds which was wonderful. We then headed to the wineries at Blenheim and such.

[teigenes]

19 hours ago, mr walker said:

Hi, just after a bit of advice from a local, if that's ok. On our driving tour we will be travelling from Westport to Picton on 19th Jan - we are staying at Waikawa that evening ahead of Interislander Ferry trip (don't think it counts as a cruise - about 3.5 hrs, unless I guess Gilligan is on-board??) on 20th. I realise we should have allocated more time for the NE of South Is, but it's locked in now.

Two questions:

1. what are must sees from Westport to Picton

2. I am thinking of going via Nelson, and along the road around the bottom of the sound to Picton, rather than the way the internet wants me to go, via Blenheim - good idea or not?

 

Thanks

 Interestingly we drove from Westport to Picton last week and while we came down the Wairau Valley, I suggest if you have all day and plenty of time go via Nelson, a nice city and the drive over the hill to Havelock is worth it.  You could stop at the Mount Riley cafe ( just as you come down the hill towards Rai Valley) or the Perlorus Bridge cafe  for a coffee. Its worth a stop here anyway and go back to the bridge by foot to see the river. Then from Havelock take the Queen Charlotte Drive to Picton. There are plenty of spots you can stop along this road to take photos or just to see the changing views. Allow three quarters to an hour as  the speed restrictions are  50 - 80 kms.

Hope you enjoy your stay here in Picton and when ever I say to my husband I think I have the need for another cruise he says " OK lets go on the Interislander, its much cheaper " 

We leave this afternoon for Welington so we can catch the early morning flight to Sydney tomorrow. Then embark on the Solstice on Sunday. Unlikely I will be on this site agin untill we get back on the 10th. 

 

 

[mr walker]

Thanks so much for your advice. Yes, we just need to arrive in Picton for our overnight stay, so we can take our time on the drive from Westport. We are looking forward to it.

Enjoy your cruise - safe travels.

[MicCanberra]

5 hours ago, teigenes said:

 Interestingly we drove from Westport to Picton last week and while we came down the Wairau Valley, I suggest if you have all day and plenty of time go via Nelson, a nice city and the drive over the hill to Havelock is worth it.  You could stop at the Mount Riley cafe ( just as you come down the hill towards Rai Valley) or the Perlorus Bridge cafe  for a coffee. Its worth a stop here anyway and go back to the bridge by foot to see the river. Then from Havelock take the Queen Charlotte Drive to Picton. There are plenty of spots you can stop along this road to take photos or just to see the changing views. Allow three quarters to an hour as  the speed restrictions are  50 - 80 kms.

Hope you enjoy your stay here in Picton and when ever I say to my husband I think I have the need for another cruise he says " OK lets go on the Interislander, its much cheaper " 

We leave this afternoon for Welington so we can catch the early morning flight to Sydney tomorrow. Then embark on the Solstice on Sunday. Unlikely I will be on this site agin untill we get back on the 10th. 

 

 

Bon voyage. The Solstice is my fav ship.

[kezza]

Great pics thanks

[3Shelaghs]

Thanks for taking time out of your day. Lovely pics😍

[Hgwells01]

And I was on Solstice for that perfect day in Picton and we had the best weather for the Sounds, only day it rained was last sea day, another perfect trip on Solstice 😜😎