Day 2 moorings near the River Wey and Wey/Arun canal junction. ( Shopping bag visable Mum )

Rhododendron on Battlestone Hill, RHS Gardens Wisley ( I WORKED here John ).

Well here we are again in sunny, or not so sunny UK. A long flight saw 2 weary travellers decamp on T42, re stock her, then fall asleep. I cannot even remember putting my head on the pillow ! Hazel is very pleased with her new Duvelet, and has got a good couple of nights sleep, even if we are getting up at 5.30…

Our first day saw a quick visit to Wisley to see the Rhododendrons, pictured, and for Mark to eat some honycrunch biscuits, best not pictured ! We then started taking T42 upstream on the River Wey, and did 3 locks to Hazels satisfaction. Our first nights berth was in a great sheltered position, we did some more sorting and finished hanging the new curtains Hazel had made. Struggling to stay awake we crashed again at 8pm. With a lot to do the 5.30 awakening and 7.30 start meant we could complete all we wanted to do on day 2, untill a red engine warning light came on. This was quickly diagnosed as a broken alternator fan belt, so that’s what that nasty burning smell was ! We could carry on as the water cooling pump is worked by another belt, and I had a spare for the alternator but no correctly sized spanners……

On to Guidford, where some where purchased and a repair done, as well as a SIM card for the dongle, hence the blog, and a visit to Jaeger……..I wonder what for mum ? We have motored on up a couple of locks more and moored for the night. Penny, who helps look after T42, is going to visit us tonight, must try and stay awake ! The sun has just started coming out, so I’ve set up the solar array. Let’s see how this is going to work, in the meantime Cheers M & H.

It’s getting cold in TASSIE, mini Cooper has got his coat on, so it must be time for T42.

This year we will be attending the Sea Otter Narrowboat Rally at Tamworth in T42, our 26 Sea  Otter , followed by a clockwise circuit of the 4 counties ring. This includes “Hearbreak Hill”, a large number of locks in a small distance ! As well as Harecastle Tunnel, one of the longest tunnels on the UK Inland Waterways system, taking up to an hour to traverse……

We will also be doing a circumnavigation of the U.K.in a bigger boat, Voyager, which we visited Norway in last year. This trip will include the northern Scottish Isles, Channel Islands and everything in between ! Packing has commenced, regular blogging will resume shortly, Cheers M & H 

Milford Sound in all her glory, the huge Cruise ship gives an idea of size !

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