Rain! Picton to Blenheim - 28kms

Heavy rain during the night.

Woke at 5.15am and spent some time extracting the bikes and trailers from the shed, in the dark and rain, then manoeuvering them up and around all the obstacles in our way to the front door.

Breakfast was a banana and cold water. 

We sprinted off, walking our gear down to the Bluebridge Ferry in the rain, only to find that sailing was delayed a whole hour!

The ship's passengers are interesting!  A large gang of patched Mongrel Mob officianados are heading off for a big convention down south. Lots of back slaps and secret hand shakes! The hold is packed with their motor bikes!

And- the captain's just announced we can expect a lumpy ride and 5metre swells! Yay!!

One big wave sent rubbish bins flying and kitchen gear crashing to the floor. Passengers leaving the cafe staggered from left to right to left as they made their way.

Our bikes had been lashed to the side of the hold so were undamaged and, as we were near the exit, we managed to get away before most of the vehicles.

We were debating whether we should take a motel room in Picton until the weather improved, but by the time we'd disembarked, the sky had lightened and the sun came out. 

We bought something for tonight's dinner and decided to head for Blenheim as planned.

First we had to climb the hill out of Picton!

We'd normally have no trouble, but, with heavily laden trailers, we gave up half way and had our first walk of the trip!

Traffic was fast and furious all the way to Blenheim. It was downhill the rest of the way, but a head wind, too, so we had to work hard.

Lovely scenery - forested hills, vineyards and river bridges. 

Arrived in Blenheim around 4.00pm. Both felt absolutely knackered - and we'd only done 28kms! Lack of a decent breakfast and lunch possibly to blame!

Here's our home for the next 2 nights at Blenheim Bridge Top 10 Holiday Park. Doing a recce of the town tomorrow as we'll be flying home from here at the end of our cycle.