Yesterday we had a magnificent cruise through Doubtful and Dusky Sounds. As you can see the weather was amazing ! This morning we are moored in Milford Sound, actually a Fjord, ready for departure. We have greatly enjoyed Le Soleal with Captain Regis and his crew. Today a tour bus will take us to Queenstown, then Chrstchurch, Melbourne and home tomorrow. I’ll try another blog tomorrow….Internet permitting.

A trip up the Taieri Gorge Railway today. Crossing the viaduct brought back memories of the Llangollen canal crossing….

A fabulous day yesterday doing 2 shore excursions. A visit first to Omaka aviation museum, featuring Sir Peter Jacksons collection of WW1 planes, 4 of which are original. I then managed to get off the tour and go round the Omaka Classic Car collection. This was followed by a visit to a winery, and walk on a beach. In the afternoon we toured Queen Charlotte Sound with a very knowledgable skipper. After a pleasant evening meal with Joanne and Peter from Toronto we had hoped to watch a show, which was cancelled due to the lively boat action. Going down to main saloon was a mistake as the dancers snagged you walking thru the door. However you just stood still on the floor and the ships rolling gave you some good moves !

Today is not so bright, and some drizzle…..waiting for the tender to Akaroa allows me to write the blog. Cheers M & H

We woke up to docking at not so windy Wellington this morning. After a quick brekkie, freshly baked croissants and peaches baked in honey……we walked through town. Caught the cable car and walked down back to town via the Botanic garden. It is beautifully laid out, and we managed to avoid all the Le Soleal cruise ship passengers….! Why pay for a guide and coach when you can do it yourself for free ? Hazel is offloading some purchases whilst I write the blog. Perhaps some lunch, more Champagne Sir !, then out to Te Papa museum this afternoon. It’s a late sailing tonight for Picton, and 2 tours…..Cheers M&H

Well after a day at sea yesterday, we docked early in Napier. Although very hot, 31*c, it was a very enjoyable morning. After an earthquake in the 30’s the whole town was rebuilt in the Artdeco style. Numerous shops sell flapper dresses and jewellery, whilst classic cars cruise the street, either for hire or self drive. We resisted the temptation, but found a pilots shop who sold me a pair of aviator goggles, perfect for Morgan’s !

Hazel did well with a necklace from the USA, and we enjoyed the museum and Art Deco shop. It was certainly my kind of a town. We also got a data card for the iPad, hence the mad rush to blog whilst leaving port…..

• We are on the water again, but this time aboard Le Soleal, a French super yacht cruising around New Zealand. The Internet connection is poor, so there will not be many picture…..The Chefs are ensuring we don’t starve or diet and the open bar with endless Champagne helps !
• Cheers M & H 

T42 at rest….till next year !

Bluebelle, 31′ Sea Otter

RHS Wisley

Well we are starting our long journey home. The last couple of days have been very pleasant, slowly cruising back to Pyrford and visits to RHS Wisley. We have met a number of fellow Sea Otter Owners, and spent a good evening with Clive and Maxine onboard Bluebelle. This is the boat I partly copied the colour scheme of when we had T42 repainted last year. After packing yesterday we squeezed in a quick cruise down to the Basingstoke junction but came undone when mooring back up on our unpowered site, the heavens opened and we got drenched whilst reversing in. We are both sad to be leaving the Wey, each time we are on it we seem to enjoy it more. I am amazed at the number of people who read this blog, thanks for all your comments. M&H

A great afternoon yesterday and this morning was spent exploring the surrounding area. Gunpowder storage, Pill boxes and Shalford Water Mill were all enjoyed. In particular the mill, a fine example of an early 18th century watermill. It’s early history, and donation to the National Trust by the Ferguson Gang, together with an excellent one on one guide proved fascinating. It resonated with the waterways in how some passionate people preserved a piece of old England before it disappeared forever before the Second World War. We have cruised down to Send this afternoon and are busily re varnishing some timber onboard. Penny and Iris showed us up yesterday, I want to show her a mans boat ! Not all this girly roses and castles……I’m sure we can get a bit more tech equipment installed !

Shalford Mill

The Ferguson Gang’s room at Shalford Mill

Gunpowder Store at Gunns Mouth

Pill Box from WW2

T42 at St Catherine’s Lock

Inside Shalford Mill

We have managed to squeeze in a quick trip up the Wey before flying home, and had the pleasure of catching up with fellow SO owner Penny in Iris. The pics say it all….

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Well we’ve made it ! I feel a great deal of accomplishment in what we’ve done, so congratulations to Hazel and T42 on a job well done. In the end we have done 191 miles and 95 locks, all on 10 gals of diesel ! Total engine hours for the trip was 66.8.

The trip to Hampton Court was interesting, with boats getting even bigger and the islands covered in an amazing range of housing. Some of the houseboats wer staggering, in fact most were barges with a timber house built on top. Parts of Hampton Court were as I remembered as a child, but I was disappointed not to get into the gardens due to rock concert ! especially when I’d paid to….. The return journey today was warm and sultry, with rain starting on the final pound to Pyrford. Still the lock keeper at Thames Lock made us feel very welcome to come back to the Wey. Along with a stop lock at this lock we can add a paired lock to things we havenow done canal / river wise.

A celebratory Cider at the Anchor tonight I think. Tomorrow Wisley, and Polesdon Lacey on Sunday. Then a final cruise up the Wey to say goodbye to Penny and finally get to see Iris. Till next time, Cheers !

Hampton Court and the amazing wine fountain

Thames Lock, where you join the River Wey

Entrance to the Wey Navigations

Hazel and T42 made it back !

500 years of Kitchen fire

Beautiful red rose in Hampton Courts Paace rose garden

Amazing roof line

Houseboats ?

Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd floating recording studio

Hampton Court Palace