May 15 Wellington

Normally I wouldn't have posted this soon, but we were just waved off from our day in Picton NZ.  A storm is on the way, and the port and harbor would not have been safe to stay in.  So we get another day at sea, and I get the chance to update the blog.

Our stop in Wellington was the concession prize for missing Hobart Tasmania.   Our crossing from Australia was reasonably tame -- there was movement of the ship in all three axes, but it was within reason.  Surprisingly, it didn't bother me and there were others that did suffer mal de mer.  

Dawn as we arrive in Wellington

 Wood for export

 We took an excursion to Pencarrow Station, a sheep ranch at the southern end of the north island.  There was a very scenic drive to the station.

 They served a "morning tea" that included cookies. 

 The ranch also hosts weddings and other get togethers.

 Tea was followed by a demonstration of sheep dogs in action.

 The poor sheep were herded back and forth in the pasture for about twenty minutes.  They were very placid about it.

 On the drive back, we stopped at the remains of an old shipwreck.  This area is known as the Storm Coast, and this was one of the victims.

 Wild goats on the hillside above the road.

 We spent the afternoon downtown in Wellington.  A cablecar to the upper part of the city was first.

 Seems like a very elegant building for a Burger King

 A couple of sail boats competing in the bay