We had planned to ride along Kenepuru sound and camp at one of the DOC\ncampsites, but one look at the weather forecast made us think again! Hence\nheading straight for Picton. It’s a beautiful ride along the Queen Charlotte\nDrive, with plentiful gorgeous views of the sound with the same name. We set\noff in rain but it cleared up fairly quickly, just leaving wispy low cloud\nover the forested hills - very atmospheric. The road was very quiet with a\ncouple of hills to add a bit of ‘interest’.
\nWe are staying at the Sequoia Lodge backpackers in Picton. It’s one of my\nfavourite type of hostel - friendly, clean and very well-equipped. $26 or a\ndorm bed, but it’s nowhere near full so even the dorms are quiet and spacious.\nThey always have chocolate pudding and ice cream at 8pm, but now it’s low\nseason they also have free soup at 7pm, and free breakfast. There’s a hot tub\nand Netflix too.
\nPicton is a pleasant spot. If it’s very wet, we recommend going to the library\nfor plentiful books, including a good range of travel guides, and lots of\nmagazines. And free wifi.
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