Day 2: Punga Cove to Bay of Many Coves

Weather still good as we headed off after a hearty breakfast of pancakes from Punga Cove. Steady but rideable climb to the saddle where we caught up with our first other cyclists on the track - from Brazil. Almost missed the continuation QC track sign but the Brazilians hadn't so we were off on the right path. Quite roller coasterish round to the BOMC turn off and many sections of very greasy clay. After coming off 3X Stephanie was starting to loose confidence so we just walked any sections that looked tricky. Great views of both Kenepuru and Queen Charlotte sounds. We had been told we might have to walk the first section down to BoMC. It was clear almost immediately that there was going to be very little biking down the steep track so we hid our bikes and locked them to a tree and carried on down on foot - one of the best decisions we made on the trip as the weather deteriorated considerably the next day and it would have been a massive push of the bikes back up again. Just walking down the track was difficult enough in our MTB shoes. However nearly 1.5 hrs of tricky decent later we were met warmly by our hosts at BoMC and after a shower and light lunch were able to greet the rest of the group arriving by water Taxi for the luxury Opera and dining weekend. A leisurely afternoon to getting to know each other was followed by a gourmet dinner with operatic accompaniment by 2 sopranos, a baritone and pianist singing excerpts from a mixture of Italian operas and musicals. I think Stephanie had forgotten her riding bruises by the end of the evening.

Some of the more rideable QC track

Marcel from Brazil breezes past

The BOMC track -  a lot steeper than it looks!

BOMC at last

Porgy and Bess

Day 1: Wellington to Punga Cove

Well everything went like clockwork - don't you just love it when that happens. Easy walk to Bluebridge and tucked up in our twin bedroom with ensuite by 11.30 on Wednesday night. Didn't feel the ship leave or hear the safety announcement at 2.30 and woke at 5.30 as the boat was pulling in to Picton. Filled in time waiting for the Cougar Line water taxi by having a hearty breakfast at a Picton Cafe. By 10am we had dropped bags at Bay of Many Coves (BOMC) and were exploring Ship Cove where Cook had landed for ship repairs and restocking 4X in the 1700's. Eager to be on our way we attacked the decent climb out of Ship Cove for a few 100 m before the greasiness of the surface had us mostly walking to the saddle. Fairly plain sailing and great views into Resolution Bay down the other side, but slippery enough to require caution - only one off on slippery clay slabs for Stephanie. A solid lunch at Furneaux Lodge where Stephanie caught up with a school friend she hadn't seen since 1971 - but had recognised her as she flashed past on the track. A leisurely cruise had us at Punga Cove by 3pm where a warm shower and a beer awaited in front of a warm fire - the only guests for the night! Apparently things are pretty tough for these places over the winter with the downturn in overseas visitors.

Packed and ready to go

Smart cabins on the BlueBridge

Exploring Ship Cove

School friends reunited after 42 years!

In the warmth of Punga Cove lounge

Background

With son Alex and friends near Pencarrow

Stephanie is about to pass another milestone - she turns 60 on June 15. How to celebrate this? I looked for things that were on on that day and noticed a luxurious opera weekend at the Bay of Many Coves at that time. I then realised that this was only a small detour off the Queen Charlotte walkway - something I had been wanting to MTB for some time. I decided we could combine the two - we've spent the last month or so getting Stephanie back up to speed on her MTB. So that is the plan - catch the overnight Bluebridge on June 12 getting to Picton at 6am on the 13th. The 9am water Taxi drops us at Ship Cove and our gear at the Bay of Many Coves. A leisurely cruise round Resolution Bay and Endeavour inlet stopping at Furneaux Lodge for lunch and staying the night at Punga Cove. The next day we follow the track to the Bay of Many Coves turn off and joining the rest of the Opera Lovers for a weekend of song, food, drink and relaxing. On Sunday we climb back up to the QC track and cruise round to overnight at Portage. The next day we follow the track back to Anikiwa and round QC drive to Picton to catch the evening Interislander back to Wellington. So there it is - a plan to celebrate Stephanie's birthday in style with some hard work mixed with a day or to of luxury. I'll fill in the details as they unfold!