Golden Bay Pre Christmas

Beautiful Totaranui Beach 

The weather kept raining as we came back through Murchison, staying the night at the NZMCA Camp - the trees have grown so much. The area is lovely and private now and such a handy location.

Hop Farms going in up the Motueka Valley near Kohatu

Nice view from Tarakohe

Nicely parked up at the Totaranui DOC camp

Nice one Bill 👍

Lovely evenings on the beach

Bill checking out his baking 😊

In the morning it was still blowing and pouring down so we weren't in any rush to head off and stayed in bed reading till it started to dry up around mid day.
With the wind easing up too, we headed toward Nelson, turning off at Kohatu and taking the inland route through to Motueka. It was amazing how much of this land is now planted or being planted out in Hops - it will be a big industry here in a few years. Big demand for NZ Hops - which is great to see.
After restocking at Motueka we headed off over the hill (the road still recovering from the flooding a couple of years ago) to Takaka. Parking up at Tarakohe for the night with the weather improving.
I got a bit of computer work done while Bill did some baking. Well done Bill 👍
On our way over to Totaranui we caught up with Drew & Jana on their property at Tata Beach. It was a busy time getting ready for renting their place out over the festive season, but took time out to show us their dreams with future Glamping and holiday home. It is a lovely location. Hope it all comes to fruition.
Totaranui was fairly peaceful at this time of the year and easy to find a place to park up.Unlike in a weeks time when schools finish! We were unaware of the tragedy going on at White Island at this time. A terrible event for locals and tourists.
The first day was a bit windy to get out in the Kayak so we headed off on a walk over to Anapai - an hours walk away. Bill managed to harvest some mussels but they were a bit big which makes them a little tougher than usual. He had a nice swim in doing this but it was a bit cool for me!
The next morning was much calmer so we got out on the water nice and early. Within 5 minutes, Bill had caught a lovely Gurnard. But unfortunately that was the only one, the only fish he caught. Will try again tomorrow.
With a full moon, there were lovely reflections on the sea. The evenings were beautiful and starry.
The next morning we were out before breakfast fishing once again, but alas still no more fish. Neither did anyone else from what we could see. It was a perfect day for lazing on the beach after breakfast, where I had my first swim of the season. Bill thought it too cold but it was very refreshing.
Although there were no more fish caught, it was a very relaxing few days before returning to Nelson for Christmas.
We called into Nicki & Simon in Riwaka on our way through, staying the night to have some time with their Girls Lily & Daisy and Nicki's Mum Sue and catch up on all their news of the past 8 months of which there was plenty!

Simon & Bill enjoying a "little" fire 🔥