DELIGHTFUL TRIP

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 4 February 1930, Page 3

DELIGHTFUL TRIP

THROUGH THE SOUNDS

The round trip arranged for the Pelorus Sounds via Croixelles Harbour .for the week-end proved to bo a highly interesting and entirely enjoyable outing. Fine weather prevailed. A start was made from the Nelson wharf by launch at 7.30 a.m. last Saturday, Groixelles was reached at 11 on the top of a very high spring tide, with a fresh breeze. The run down proved pleasant, smooth water prevailing with sunlit skies, and a warm almoshphere all the way. After a substantial dinner the party dispersed,! the younger portion taking to boating on the capacious harbours and others swimming. Some made excursions through the verv beautiful bush reached by various well defined tracks, and some fished around the harbour from the rocks and from the boat. From Editor's Peak (3300 ft) immediately behind the homestead, and densely bush cohered, a fine panoramic view is obtainable. To the eastward the whole of the Pelorus and Queen Charlotte Sounds lies spread out before the spectators like a large map in bold relief; to the westward Blind Bay, with the famous and well known Mount Arthur ranges; to the northward Cook's Straits, embracing also D'Urville's Island, Mount Egniont, and a very considerable portion of the North Island; to the south-eastwards the Kaikouras; and in the nearer foreground the Rai Valley and surrounding territory, all apparently dense forest, away into Nelson and Marlborough as far as the eye can see. The descent is easy. Lately a large party of the Tararua Trainpers were encamped at the Croixelles for ' 4 days. They made this ascent, and some of the most experienced climbers amongst them consider the views from Editor's Peak as being amongst the finest available in the whole of the Dominion. After breakfast next morning the party proceeded in the launch to the top end of the harbour, and tramped across the narrow neck of land (about 500 feet in height) to Elaine Bay in Pelorus Sounds. Even from the top of this saddle a glorious prospect lies open on all sides. More swimming was freely indulged in at the ■wharf, after which the entire party assembled under the pine trees on the brow of the hill above Brown's house and lunched right royally. At one o'clock aU embarked on another launch (ordered from Uavelock), and the whole of the long afternoon was spent cruising about amongst the islands, bays, inlets, coves and reaches of tho Pelorus Sounds, an experience to bo realised, and not to be described. Havelock was reached at 5 p.m., and a start was made for Nelson (about 50 miles) at 6 p.m., which was safely reached at 8.30.

By this route these world famous Sounds are brought within 30 miles distance of Nelson city. Tennyson Inlet is perhaps one of the most beautiful of all. and it was here that the Tamahine was discovered at. anchor. She afterwards got under way, sailing out of the Sounds for Wellington—a very fine sight, A number of excursionists from the Empire City were on board.