Thursday 27th November 2008

Wellington to Picton

Today was the big day when we voyaged on the Interislander ferry from North Island to South Island. It meant an early start and we responded to the 06:00 alarm call well and arrived at the terminal on time. We met Monika who was also travelling on the same crossing, on board. No problems as the ship left on time and the sea was calm in the grey morning light. The route took us quite close to the coastline for a good hour out of Wellington.

Even Dave was glimpsed on the top deck and enjoyed himself!

South Island was visible quite dimly even before we‘d left North Island completely behind and the layer of low, grey cloud made the islands look quite mysterious.

The sun appeared just before we landed and Picton looked very picturesque.

Jean

Versatile performer

The Edwin Fox is reputed to be the ninth oldest ship still in existence and dates back to the Crimean War when it was used for ferrying troops from Europe to fight the Russians.

Later it transported convicts from England out to Australia and later still emigrants to New Zealand. It was also used to carry goods, particularly liquor at one time in its career and became known as the booze boat.

When sail gave way to steam it served in dock in New Zealand as a place to keep refrigerated meat but eventually was abandoned, only for the hulk to be rescued in 1999 by enthusiasts at Picton. The hull and lower decks remain in good shape after well over 150 years. Odd to walk through it after so many others, convicts included. Dave