G is for Golden Bay: road tripping South Island

The next phase of our road trip here on the South Island finds us staying at Pohana Beach on Golden Bay. We transitioned from Picton and headed west, the road follows the Queen Charlotte Sound, and then heads across to delightful Nelson where we found good coffee and pastries before venturing into new territory - Tasman Bay and Golden Bay. We drove impressive mountain passes as we passed the Abel Tasman National Park on our way north west.

Every now and again our accommodation totally delights and today was such a day. We have an ensuite cabin that is right on the beach with a magnificent seascape which stretches kilometres. We have landed well, took a gentle walk along the beach noticing the shells and sea lettuce, the Oystercatchers and Godwits and as always the ever changing colour of the sea.

View from our cabin across Pohana Beach out to Golden Bay.

Pohana Beach, Golden Bay,

Q is for Queen Charlotte Track: tramping day 4, Portage to Anakiwa

Veranda of Portage Hotel on Kenepuru Sound.

Having done the long day 3 of the QCT we then looked at the profile for day 4 and we all looked at each other, just a little afraid!

From Torea Bay and our hotel, Portage, the 20 km walk starts with a brutal climb, the highest point of the QCT - Shamrock Ridge at 407m. Goodness me, my legs ached, my chest was tight and we all grimly tramped to the top.

Final day, 71 km done!

Even though day 4 of the QCT was the toughest and by the time we walked into Anakiwa to meet our water taxi, we were very tired, the views seemed even more spectacular. The colours of the mountains and hills and sea are endlessly variable. The sea was pea green at times, or a crystal turquoise, or a cool blue and or even a steely grey.

We are all thrilled and proud to have challenged ourselves to this tramp in this most beautiful part of the Marlborough Sounds. Well done Shawni and Craig. And Fred as always, your help in carry our pack and steadying me on those crazy downhills is much appreciated.

"There is something about the pace of walking and the pace of thinking that goes together. Walking requires a certain amount of attention but it leaves great parts of the time open to thinking. I do believe once you get the blood flowing through the brain it does start working more creatively," says Geoff Nicholson, author of The Lost Art of Walking.

B is for Backpackers: giving it a try

Backpackers cabin with a view!

Neither Fred nor I backpacked as youngsters, so it is rather ironical for us to check into our single 'cells' at Punga Cove! It was a night that frustrated the gang but also made for lots of laughter after the fact. And my room had the most wonderful view.

Q is for Queen Charlotte Track: tramping day 3, Punga Cove to Portage Resort

Early morning along the Queen Charlotte Sound

Kenepuru Sound

This is the day everyone talks about, day 3, the long day, a day of walking the ridge between the Kerepuru and Queen Charlotte Sounds. Our destination was the Portage Resort.

But we had all day to walk the 25km. It was a magnificent day of walking, as my friend Natalie says, a day when you 'fall into your legs', and you love being on the path.

I had such a day, most probably my best ever one day of walking. Being with Fred, Shawni and Craig in such a beautiful place, with a warm and slightly overcast day, was very special. We took regular breaks, nibbled on all our trail snacks and took in the majesty of it all.

 I loved it.

Day 3 of 4, 52 km of 71km