Kaikoura to Christchurch and a surprise Wedding (9th to 24th February)

Marfell's Beach

We finally got away from Nelson mid afternoon after Bill had discovered one of the two fan belts had ripped apart. Thankfully he managed to get two new ones to replace them before we headed up over the hills to Marlborough.

Marfell Doc Camp

We made it to Marfell's Beach early evening to find the Doc camp quite busy. After the 7.8 earthquake event happening in Kaikoura back in November 2016, the landscape has changed with a lot of the coast line being thrust up. The road down the east coast from Marlborough to Kaikoura had been closed till just before last Christmas. They now have the road open during daylight hours but a lot of it is still one way - a huge number of human resources have been required to keep this massive job progressing along.

South Bay Race Course

State Highway 1 -Marlborough to Kaikoura

We moved onto Kaikoura the next day to stop over for the night to do the Peninsula walk which we did a few years ago. Staying out at South Shore Raceway with about 20 other motorhomers, is a great spot to walk from. We walked down to South Bay Reserve and then up to the Headlands along the Peninsula Walkway which thankfully wasn't damaged and good to see so many tourists doing the walkway even though the day wasn't that great.
We continued the walk back toward the township and then took another track up and over back into South Shore - a total of 11.4kms.
Luckily we did it on our arrival as the next day was too wet to do such a walk.

Repairs are still ongoing in and around
Christchurch 7 years on! Trying to save the facade.

So it was onto Helen & Ralph's in Christchurch to annoy them once again! And of course have a little red or two🍷🍷. They also had a little job for Bill to help Ralph with that would keep the two of them out of trouble.

Bill looking into a bit of a hole

Ralph sorting the puzzle of planks

A bit of relaxation after a day of work
Lovely Jazz Ralph

The finished job - well done Team ☺ 

A surprise in the middle of our two week stay was our eldest daughter Shannon and her partner AC (Andrew) getting married in Wellington. They had a quiet private ceremony in their lunch break. Certainly low key, just like they wanted.
So we enjoyed catching up with them in the evening to welcome our new son-in-law into our family ☺

The happily married couple - Shannon &AC

As we stayed a couple of days (Thanks John & Sarah for a bed) Shannon also had time to show us through her workplace in the Beehive- interesting to see how the building and the hierarchy of our Parliamentary system works.
The timing was perfect to catch up with brother Wayne & wife Kate for lunch in the City they were also visiting for the weekend with having three of their children living there now.

Bro's together doing a Selfie

Dragon Boating in Wellington Lagoon
before they head out into the harbour

Ohhh Ohhh!!

Saturday had Dragon Boat Racing on the harbour, which Shannon was competing in. Sadly we had to catch our flight back to Christchurch so we actually missed the race Shannon was competing in. But the waterfront was buzzing with all the competitors and supporters. The weather was a bit of a concern as the wind was building up, causing a few issues when entering back into the Lagoon.
Apart from Wellington's windy conditions, once again it was an enjoyable, although brief, visit to the Capital.

Back in Christchurch, Bill & Ralph finished off the flooring project. H&R have a friend also staying at the moment with having her home finally fixed after the 2011 earthquake damage, Carolyn, who took us all out for a new dining experience at Japanese restaurant Kumo. The Sushi Train was a fun and very tasty way to dine. Thank you Carolyn for the opportunity.

Sushi Train Dining with Carolyn,
Helen, Ralph & Bill

Our last evening in Christchurch we got to sample some local music with Ralph's music club "The Christchurch Musician Club" - an enjoyable jazz hour in town and then a couple of hours at the local Cashmere Club listening to a One Man Band - Lil Chuck.

Good music, shame not a bigger audience 

Bill trying this one out for size
(plenty of bike parking around the city)

Now it's time to continue our travels south - toward Roxborough where our new (second hand) kayak is waiting for us ☺
Fingers crossed the weather stays settled for a bit.

Marlborough Sounds, Nelson, Totoranui and back to Nelson

The road into Pukatea Bay 

We moved on from Fran's to dog sit out at Pippa & John's in Tasman while they went away to celebrate the New Year over in Marlborough. While based there we managed another bike ride on the Great Taste Trail. Riding from Tasman to Motueka up over the Tasman Heights with great views out over the Tasman Bay.

Summit of Tasman Heights looking thru to Motueka

We did a total of 30.5km return.  Had a light lunch at Toad Hall and made it back to P&J's before the down pour started. Another part of this trail can now be ticked off!
Bill & I saw the new year in very quietly this year with Finn & Jet (the Dogs) and National Radio - great music ☺

Had a little bit of rain on our walk with Annabelle
to Kina 

The next day being the 1st of the New Year- Nelson holds a Craft Market down at the Tahunanui Play Fields. We met up with Vicki, Trevor & Don (who was passing through on his return from Christchurch to Wellington). Don is a recent Grandfather, so it was interesting to see him take note of the Stalls selling cute little Girls clothing. Ha ha how times change us. But also on the list of interest was Hats - which Don & Bill both felt they needed with these hot days - something with a brim! The picture says it all really!

Men in Hats & Shades (Bill, Trevor & Don)

We stayed on with Pippa & John for one more night on their return which gave us time to catch with them. After rain had passed through in the morning, we ended up with a pleasant evening down at Mapua which was surprisingly not too busy for this time of the year.

Our new spot - Lower Queen Street

Bill loved  this new toy

From P&J's we moved onto John & Denise's in Lower Queen Street. Bill & John used to work together in their Telecom Days back 27 odd years ago, so once again another chance for a catch up. J&D's place has been rezoned and now is very attractive for developers of light industrial business's, so they will be moving on soon once their new home is built up Valhalla Drive. but this was a perfect time for us to park up in one of their paddocks till we were ready to move onto our next destination.
Bill gave John a hand in his paddocks, tearing up fences and post in preparation of an Auction John will be having to clear out the property of all it's farming equipment. This involved a bit of tractor work that Bill was more than happy to be involved with. It was a good time for re establishing our friendship and catching up on each others families. Also old friends at the Waimea Club, where we had a couple of meals. Here were also some of our fellow Suburban Club members who are now using these premises as their own club premises are no longer available, having been sold to cover debt that had accrued over the years.

Joan telling her Boys how to launch the boat

Great catch Boys

Whilst being based here, we headed away in our car for a weekend in the Sounds - at Pukatea Bay, near Port Ligar.
Here we met up with Bill's brother Alan and Mum Joan.
We stayed in a house owned by a friend of Alan's that went away for the weekend. When our children were small we use to come into this part of the Sounds - and I always hated the road in. the last time we were down there (20 odd years ago) I said then I was never coming back! Amazing how time makes you forget these promises! So here I go once again making this statement - I AM NEVER GOING BACK ON THAT ROAD!
 Hopefully as this is now in writing I will have something to remind me 🙈
Anyway....... so we went down there once again. It was a lovely restful place to go. Just a shame it is such a terrible road in. Not that Bill would agree.
It was a good chance for Bill to have some time with his brother, and the two of them went out fishing and brought back some delicious Blue Cod that we had for dinner. So thank you Peter for the use of your place for the weekend.

Original before it was stripped
Tyler doing the last lot of dishes in this sink!

Nearly completed

Mid January it was time to move onto Kathryn & Tyler's (yes great name her son has). The original plan had been to come and cat sit Iggy while K&T were away camping over Totoranui, and then Bill was to help Kathryn with a new kitchen. Sadly Kathryn's partner Andrew's Father had passed away so they headed up north for the funeral. And by the time they returned the weather had changed and wasn't suitable for camping.
The new plan commenced with K&T having time to rip the old kitchen out before Kathryn headed north, then returning to continue ripping down the ceiling (no more Michelangelo ceiling tiles Kathryn - yay) and wall coverings



It was a busy time for Kathryn / Bill & Tyler, but well worth the result. Look forward to seeing the finished job with new bench and polished floors in April as we pass back through Nelson.

Dishes time - Bill a bit sad about something,
meanwhile K&T get on with the dishes.

While staying at Kathryn's, our friend Marg from Christchurch came up for a couple of days. After living away from Nelson for 20 odd years, it was nice to look around the place again from a tourists point of view. We had the perfect weather to show it off too.

Marg & Vicki outside BeerBurgers where we had coffee's
A little advertising for HopFederation in the background :)

Joan and Bill posing at Jesters where we celebrated
Joan's 86th birthday with other family too

With Nelson's Anniversary at the end of January, we headed over to Golden Bay once again to go camping with Vicki & Trevor and Mates like the old days except without any children of course.

Totoranui was our destination, but thankfully Bill made me check the Doc Camp had vacancies. I thought that time of year all the Cantabrians would have returned home! But no, we couldn't come over till the Saturday as they were still fully booked.

John & Denise joined us on the walk to Wainui Falls
Visited the lovely new Cafe that is now set up on our return.

A bit disappointed and wanting to get away on the Friday as those who needed to had taken the day off, we decided to head over the hill and stay at Pohara for the night - or in Bill & my case - Port Tarakohe.  

Smoking Billie was great for supplying plenty of hot water

The days were just a bit busy for the Boys.
You may think they are reading - look closer!

We had a lovely 5 days away, plenty of swimming. It was the warmest we had ever experienced. Bit scary really. Poor fish must be wondering what is going on.
Plenty of walks and mussels - another enjoyable stay.

Returning to Nelson for Bill to build some insect screens for the Bus (badly needed over Golden Bay - bloody mozzies!) we had a few more days in Nelson parked up at our place. Before we moved down from Kathryn's we had cyclone Fehi pass through along with a King Tide that did a lot of damage around the waterfront. Amazing the strength of those waves ripping up concrete footpaths and cycle/walkways. It will be an expensive clean up for the Council. Thankfully it didn't rain too much, it was more wind and high tide damage.

Rocks Road footpath damage

And now it is time to move on from sunny Nelson and head south once again. Christchurch here we come.