Return to Spring in Nelson and around - October 2022

Our favourite spot - Marfell's Beach 

 We arrived back to a wet Auckland for a couple of days catching up with Brothers & Partners. There was time for a bit of a look around at the changes to central Auckland – even with the rain. So much development to lower Queen Street – a very different place to when Bill & I were living there in the early 80’s.

A bit of snow on the Kaikoura Ranges

We flew back into Christchurch a couple of days later and picked up our Bus & Car after 3 months in storage. The Bus was fine but the Suzuki sulked with a flat battery but otherwise all good. Weedon’s NZMCA Park is the perfect location to store our vehicles. Very handy to the airport.

New local café in Richmond

I thought I had a head cold (tested negative to Covid) so Bill did the running around before we headed off the next day up the East Coast. Although not a lot of sunshine in Aussie while we were there, it was warmer. Snow showers came through the Kaikoura ranges as we headed north. Quite scenic, although cold. We stayed at Marfell’s Beach to recover from our colds which dragged on so I think it was more hayfever.  The weather was beautiful so it was a relaxing few days before returning to Nelson.

Joan having a moment with her son 😍

We had a couple of weeks back in Nelson catching up with Bill’s Mum Joan and others and caught up on a few jobs that may be surprising we do have even with our lifestyle. And after carrying around our Kayak on our car roof for some time and not actually putting it onto the water, we finally decided to drop it off for the next few months till we return home full time next year. Bob kindly obliged us and has taken it into his “storage” facility! We owe you Bob, thank you.

Spring in Tasman - Pippa's Garden 🎕

Labour Weekend we headed down to Christchurch for the Big Band Festival – staying at Marg’s and  Helen &Ralph’s a couple of nights. I had attended this festival 3 years ago when Bill, Shannon and AC went rafting down the Clarence. I enjoyed it so much I had wanted Bill to experience it too. Bill was keen to go through the Molesworth to Hanmer and onto Christchurch which we did about 4 years ago. He was very disappointed when we found the road closed for Possum control! What!!So back onto the main road and down the Kaikoura Coast. 

Christchurch Square

Marg, Bill & Ralph checking out the local eels
in the Avon in the City Centre

It was another great music festival and a chance to enjoy Christchurch city centre once again. Met up with my school friend from college – Dianne whom we have reconnected once again after about 20 years.

Enjoying some of the festival
 with Dianne

Caught up with Cameron & Georgia in their new home and Michele & Nathan with wee Nora, and a lovely lunch with Helen’s sister’s and a brother (I’ve known them since I was 3!). Then  it was time to head back to Nelson. As the weather wasn’t going to be good anywhere around the country, we decided to drive through Lewis Pass home. It was snowing until we reached the top of the pass, where it just rained the rest of the way home.

Repairing the awning
(I was ready with camera in case it was one
of those moments 😆)

Another couple of weeks back in Nelson for Bill to work on T&V’s van fridge with a gadget to monitor who knows what! Luckily he does. Got our awning repaired which Bill managed to make it look easy even though I was waiting with the camera in case it all went to custard like a blind that unravels. Time for a quick weed spray at Tahunanui Dr before heading off to Motueka for the Bus to have repairs & a service before it’s COF. This involved a night in the workshop – quite a different spot to freedom camp. We haven’t got the invoice yet! So it wasn’t really free as such! But all went well with the COF, so we are all good to head off to the West Coast shortly.

 

Freedom Camping in the Workshop 😉

Which one to pick?😄
And our choices are only going to get better with time!