June 2024 – Travel Update

Welcome everyone,

On 23 April, 41 very keen travel members met at Addington Railway Station at 6.30am to catch the Coastal Pacific train to Picton. Apart from a little fog as we travelled north, the scenery was magnificent. The train tracks are so close to the coastline, the views were splendid. We saw so many seals and a few saw dolphins.

On arrival at Picton, we were met by the fabulous and helpful, Sarah, from our bus company. We were transported with our luggage to our hotel for the next three nights. On completion of check-in, some went around the township to sus out the places of interest, while others familiarised themselves with the hotel. At 5pm, we met in the foyer as arrangements had been made to transport us to The Crow Bar and Grill for drinks and dinner. This was all pre-booked, with all paid for apart from drinks.

The next morning was free time until we met at 1pm at the Beachcomber cruises for our four-hour journey on the Pelorus Mail run. We had a fabulous afternoon delivering the mail, groceries, and freight to residents in the Queen Charlotte Sounds who are only accessible by boat. The service has been running for 150 years.

In the evening a few of us went to the Texas Tea Bar and Grill, where the Picton RSA is now located. We made ourselves known to the folk as I had been previously in touch knowing the actual RSA original building had closed end of March. We had a lovely evening and didn’t stay too late as we had an early morning start for ANZAC dawn parade the next day.

For our early morning start on ANZAC, we met at 5.30am in the hotel foyer and it was pleasing to see out of the 41 members in our group, 20 of them made the early morning start for the Dawn Parade. On completion of the parade and service we made our way to their quarters and the hospitality was incredible. They turned on sandwiches, savouries, and several beers throughout the day.

The next day, Friday 26th April and it was time to move on from Picton. Our Marlborough bus company picked us up and drove us around the Marlborough wine region, we visited two excellent vineyards with very good wines and very knowledgeable presenters. Even the non -wine drinkers enjoyed their time there. We also visited the Roots Gin Shack for a tasting which quite a few took part in. We then drove on to a Cork and Keg English style pub for a pre-ordered lunch. This pub had excellent meals and very friendly staff. Finally for the day, the coach took us to Chateau Marlborough for check in for our nights’ accommodation.

With check in completed, their happy hour was due to start, and they supplied music for three hours also. The next day, the coach collected us from hotel at 1pm and took us to the train station for our journey home. We arrived back in Christchurch at 7.20pm.

Judging by the comments received after our return, it seems everyone enjoyed the trip.

A reminder that the travel section member’s subs renewal are now due for payment. Fees are $15 if paid by the end of May, but we can extend the payment date for the discount price until 14th June, after that date the fees revert to full price of $20 for the year.

As mentioned at our last meeting, I have been given the role of event’s organiser. I have been very busy this week making arrangements to keep you members occupied and interested.

There are two dates to keep free, they are Sunday 23rd June and Sunday 25th August.

Our mid-winter Christmas dinner will be 23rd June at the Little River Inn. Notice for this will be on travel notice board shortly. The second date to keep free Sunday 25th August, we will visit Mt Potts Homestead and Erewhon Station for lunch and hopefully wagon ride with Clydesdale horses. However, the Clydesdales are yet to be confirmed.

Stay safe and keep warm everyone.

Regards Lyn Wright