.

.
.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Ferry Crossing



We were lucky, everytime I sailed the ferries from Wellington in the North Island to Picton in the South Island, and back again, we had excellent weather. Even in the best conditions, the Cook Straits is very choppy. This is because of the wind tunnel effect of the two mountain ranges on either side.

These photos from my archives taken in December. looks can be deceiving, the straitts look so calm.

Snow, rain and gales bring winter chill

New Zealand Herald
4:00AM Sunday May 24, 2009
By Trudie McConnochie

High seas lash the Wellington coastline. Photo / Getty Images

High seas lash the Wellington coastline. Photo / Getty Images

Your Views Have we missed out on Autumn this year?


Residents were evacuated, buildings damaged and travel plans disrupted as snow, rain and gales lashed much of the country yesterday.

The capital bore the brunt of the storms, with Cook Strait ferry sailings suspended due to huge swells, About 700 people were stranded on either side of the strait yesterday as high winds and heavy seas prevented Interislander and Bluebridge sailings. Flights into Wellington airport diverted to Palmerston North and winds gusting up to 140km/h damaging power poles and blocking Blue Mountains Rd in Upper Hutt.

Electricity was cut briefly to about 1200 homes in Ngauranga, Johnsonville and Plimmerton after branches and debris fell onto power lines.

Wellington police advised motorists to avoid the city's south coast as huge waves washed over roads and damaged boats



2 comments:

Reader Wil said...

Did this all happen in Picton? Goodness, that's terrible. I remember Picton as shown on your photos, when we were there for a couple of days in January 2005. I hope all the trouble is over now!
Thanks for your visit! Have a wonderful week.

Bitsa Lit said...

wow! I cant remember a storm like that here ever!...well once...but that is crazy!