The stunning West Coast & return to Nelson for Christmas 2024 🎄

Looking up the Mahitahi River toward the southern Alps.

We headed off south down the east coast due to the expected wet weather on the west coast. Once again we traveled through lake Rotoiti (and once again it was misty), onto Ward Beach. We haven't been to Ward Beach for a few years, but it was as appealing as ever. A very peaceful spot, however a bad exit off our ramps, requiring a touch of straightening and panel beating, we got on our way. 🚌

Bill took me for a little walk along the
Motueka River Bank 🙅

 We continued onto Kaikoura, the weather was beautiful and sunny. A windy night dawned sunny, perfect for a peninsula walk before deciding Christchurch would be our next stop.

We stayed with Helen & Ralph in Christchurch, catching up with Helen's sisters. I've known them since I was 3, so we go back a wee way. 😊. Anne gave us a beautiful nursery rhyme book to read to our granddaughters. 💕💕

On our way into Christchurch, we dropped in to see Michele & Nathan at their new home. V& T were there too, entertaining their wee granddaughter Nora while everyone (especially Michele) was waiting on the arrival of Nora's wee sister. Any day now (actually it was the day after we visited - wee Sloan was born)

Ward Beach

We continued south from Christchurch after a leisurely stroll through Hagley Park while waiting on our air filters to be cleaned. Through Geraldine, that had a new Transport Museum for us to spend a couple of hours in - the Roger Mahan Heritage Center. Well worth a visit.

The Roger Mahan Heritage Centre

Twizel ended up our destination that night - Lake Wardell on the Pukaki Canal. We have noticed so many motorhomes (both private and hired) on these southern roads compared to our travels a couple of years ago. I think NZ has recovered from the Covid era. Bill & I aren't happy to be sharing all our special spots with all these people. The secret is out!!

Bill amongst the Lupins 

We didn't bother trying to catch a salmon this time round. We went straight into the shop at Twizel and bought some frozen salmon. Much easier cheaper and quicker...  😂 

Onto Wanaka to Albert Town (great spot to keep all the motorhome's / campers out of town on a big reserve) to catch up on the laundry. The Three Park Complex just out of Wanaka is huge. Great laundry too.

Keeping our eye on the weather, it was looking good to cross over the Haast Pass to the West Coast to travel homeward to Nelson. A night in Kidds Bush (Lake Hawea) was a bit of a reminder of the sandflies to come on the west coast. It was good to see the Doc camp well used by families celebrating the end of the school year. We did the smaller loop walk around the hills before shutting ourselves inside for the evening, away from the pesky sandflies.

Thunder Creek Falls

Haast Pass was stunning the day we drove over onto the West Coast - New Zealand is fortunate that the loggers never got this far south to remove the huge native forests down this way. Lots of picturesque walking tracks through native bush to waterfalls and rivers. There were certainly plenty of overseass tourists stopping in these areas.

Arriving at our morning tea spot on the Waiatoto River

Once we made a date when we would cross over to the coast, we booked a jet boat ride on the Waiatoto River, just south of Haast - the Waiatoto River Safari. I was sold on the trip as it advertised "not for thrill seekers"! Poor Bill. But he was ok to come along. It was more of a nature cruise up the river, past a Kiwi Sanctuary, into a UNESCO recognised world heritage area. Our guide / driver Ruth was very good explaining the history and geology of the area, which Bill did enjoy too. Plus, fresh scones and a hot drink. 

Beautiful bush walks with the tree ferns

We had parked up the night before at the departure point for the jet boat. It was very tranquil. But boy, were there sandflies and mosquitos galore! The mosquitos were big enough to pull our window mesh screens apart and just come on into the bus. We've never had so many inside the Bus before. Thankfully we got most of them before bedtime. Thus, once we finished the tour, we decided to move on rather than another night with the blood suckers!

Fox Glacier Viewpoint and Aoraki to the right.

The rest of the week was perfect weather conditions, with blue skies that allowed Mt Aoraki to be seen from every vantage point on the west coast as we traveled northward. Unfortunately, the sandflies were at every vantage point too. We drove into Gilespie's beach, where we hadn't been before. What a lovely DOC Camp - we will return another time when we have more time. Lots of Gold mining history. The other thing we noticed as we traveled over the Haast Pass and up the West Coast, was all the cell sites, particularly at the DOC camps. It is nearly full coverage all the way along the coast these days. It also allows booking online of the Doc camps as we went. Many of the camps only take online bookings & payments.

Gillespies Beach Walking Track

Still plenty of mining gear left lying around

More beautiful bush 😍

Overnighting in Franz Joseph made us aware of the impact tourism is having down there, especially the number of helicopters operating in the area! They are not quiet. Stopping at Hokitika the next night and a wander around the town in the morning, was very pleasant as the town was buzzing in the sunshine. Last time we were here, it was very bleak and wet. Looked very different this time around. Bill even splashed out and brought two copper coin penny frog sculptures from local artist Ian Phillips - he managed to find one each of our birth years. A little disappointed that they were worth far more than their face value😬

Tree Top Walk Hokitika

We did a few tourist attractions; one we hadn't done before was the Tree Top walkway. After having done the Aussie one in WA, I thought I should do the West Coast one here in NZ. I did. I survived too!!

And we did the Hokitika Gorge which has been upgraded since the last time we did it, now with a loop walk. well actually, one bridge was out, so will have to return another time.

We called in and had a catch up with Sarah & Shane in Charleston on our way homewards, adding our bus to their cluster of accommodation for the night. Their operation is coming along well. 

Hokitika Gorge

With the weather about to pack up, it was time to head back to Nelson, well Richmond to be precise.

Fran was heading away for three weeks, so we offered to housesit. It was the perfect spot as we could park the bus and car up and stay sleeping in the Bus. Plus handy to see Joan over the Christmas break and have her around for lunch or a cuppa. Christmas was with Bill's family this year; all our children were with other family members. The weather hung in there for a day out at Rabbit Island, where we met Alan & Eare and their daughter Nuana. It was a quiet one. Sheryl is keen to sort something more for next Christmas! Undoubtedly  involving her rowdy Whanau 😕😬😏

Tylers lined up Christmas day 🎄

We got back into a bit more walking up hills in the Richmond enjoying the change of scenery from the Tahunanui hills. Bills got keen on moving there, but I'd like to wait another ten years. Watch this space! 😂

It was a good time to catch up with friends too, once Christmas was over and everyone was more relaxed. a few card games and a day out the Wakefield Steam Museum, where some of our friends have never visited before. As we were a bit late in the day, we will have to return. And as it is a POP, perhaps take our bus too.

Now it is time to pack up once again and get ready to head north for five weeks, lots of catch ups, a concert and some fishing. 2025 is looking a great start to the year.

Cuppa tea with Joan at Frans

Discussions at Sprig & Fern Richmond

Lenny's first visit to New Zealand

Not so little Girls with their Daddy 😂

 We had moved into Vicki & Trevor's for the last couple of days of ownership of Tosswill Road, while Bill & Trevor sorted the last bits and pieces. Vicki was away to her parents up north and Trevor was heading off to Christchurch to help Michele & Nathan in their new house with curtains, etc. It was good timing to have the use of their house with Rocky and Lenny's expected arrival.

Bill & Rod heading out for our dinner

With the Bus parked up at Tahunanui Dr, actually at the bottom of the driveway, Bill had time to sort new batteries for the Bus after our house batteries had been struggling for a bit. My arm was still limiting me a bit, very hard to keep it still with moving house and packing the sleepout once again! Walking was more painful than I had expected - so I'm still needing the sling. But it's early days. Hopefully another week before Rocky arrives out with Lenny, for a bit more recovery.

Lake Rotoiti

But first Bill & I had five nights over Golden Bay, which included a day out fishing for Bill & Rod (my arm preventing me this time, hopefully next time) - so it was nice fresh snapper for dinner at Rod & Annes in Ligar Bay. From here we headed over to Marfells Beach in Marlborough via a night at Lake Rotoiti. We found a new park over place at the lake, perfect for walking the trails. But it was a bit grey and gloomy, so one night was enough in the mist. We had the Bus serviced the day before we went to the lake driving through the beautiful Moutere Valley. Everything was so lush, especially all the hops.

Four generations of Tylers

Marfells was pretty quiet which was lovely and allowed us to park up on our favourite elevated camp spot. We managed a walk out to Cape Campbell Lighthouse, which is easy at any tide these days since the uplift of land along the coast with the Kaikoura earthquake. Then it was back to Nelson, via Lake Rotoiti again and Pippa & Johns in Tasman for a long overdue catch up.  Onto Redwood Stables to park up the Bus for three & half weeks while Rochelle is home with Lenny.

One of Restores
Entertainment
centers

Vicki showing Lenny
her granddaughter 💜

Lenny traveled well for Rochelle on her 7 hour flight from Perth to Auckland, and then the connecting 1 1/2 hr  flight to Nelson. Fellow travelers and Air NZ staff were very helpful to make it a smooth trip for them both. The only issue initially was the 5-hour time difference, and wee Lenny's internal clock struggled for a few days, as we all do. We had borrowed most of the required baby gear, but Retore did well with the entertainment centers. 😂

Ligar Bay ready for a walk

Wainui Falls

Four nights were booked over in Ligar Bay at Rod & Anne's Bach, to give V&T a break before they headed down to Christchurch to await the arrival of their second Granddaughter. We dropped into Riwaka for a coffee on our way through for Lenny to meet her second cousins Lily & Daisy. Over the hill we caught up with Jana and her three children and did the walk up to the Wainui Falls. Rocky on our last night unfortunately woke up 5am feeling sick and unable to be sick (something her Nana Joan and Shannon share) passed out on her way to the toilet. Huge crash as she dropped to the floor, she was very lucky only to get a fat lip! That day we just took it easy but had to return to Nelson. Thankfully Lenny was quite used to us by this time as Rocky was only up to feeding and sleeping. We called into the Anitoki Salmon Farm on the way, and Bill caught his biggest Salmon ever! Just over $100 worth with the value adding hot smoke- glad it was his first fish and not a second 😂.

What a whopper!

Cool in our shades

I dropped Bill at airport the next morning to fly to Auckland for a PO Reunion - it was 40 odd years since Bill had caught up with some of the Guys. He was surprised how old some had got!  Unfortunately, not well organised, so Mark & Bill returned to Mark's at a civilised hour. They had been lucky to make the event after some issues sorting their Bus & Ferry route.

40 Years!💕

All tuckered out

Lenny's first bus ride
& Mum with split lip

Joan was pleased to see Rocky, when we dropped in with Lenny a couple of times although she was surprised to see she had a baby. Bill & I also celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary with Rocky & Lenny - a tasty lunch at Grape Escape. The weather was perfect, and the spring flush and scents of the flowers added to the ambiance. Lenny had her first bus ride when Rocky & I took the public bus to town. So easy to push pram on and off the new electric Bus, which bows down to you. We had a pleasant morning shopping and looking around Nelson between Lenny feeding and napping. Rocky got three swimsuits - she's now ready for summer.

Sarah & John, Rocky, Bill & Lenny

Our children's God Parents and good friends John & Sarah came over to Nelson from Wellington, for the weekend to do a spiritual blessing of Lenny down on Tahunanui beach. It was a lovely weekend to catch up with them, the weather was perfect. And they enjoyed their catchup with Nelson and other friends from their time living here 15 years ago.

Enjoying the flowers and Nelson sunshine😎

Bill had another PO catch up, this time in Nelson. it was only a year since he last saw these local Guys, so there wasn't too much change in them. We also had a Tyler catchup for Bill's Family to meet Lenny and for Lenny to meet her second cousin Elliott.

The weather was very warm while R&L were over, so we were able to get out for walks most days. Lenny enjoys the front pack and was quite happy to go off to sleep. We had Lenny in the bucket of water to keep her cool and bathe her, but she's still a little bit little and kept floating. 😁GrandBill was very good showering her, special bonding time for them both. Taking Bill back to the times he showered our babies.

Some on milk, others having wine & cocktails

Shannon got her smiles & cuddles

Shannon flew over from Wellington for the last weekend of R&L's visit, to have time with us all - really lovely.  Shannon & AC had flown to Perth for two weeks a couple of weeks prior, to meet their new nieces for the first time and see Ophelia again. Lenny had been a bit clingy to Mum while they were over, so Shannon was hoping she might get a cuddle or two this weekend. The weather played its part so we could enjoy a couple of cocktails and wines in Nelson City. I thought we'd go to the Cathedral for Christmas carols but missed the memo on ticket admissions only, and it was booked out😑.  Sunday, we headed down to the Sprig & Fern for lunch before Bill /Shannon / Rocky relived their childhood with rides on the Miniature Railway. Joan, Lenny & I watched from the sideline. Well, Lenny slept actually. Shannon flew out late afternoon ending a lovely weekend together. Bill also managed to sell his Ute at the end of the weekend, (The Green Gremlin no longer required) to a savvy buyer, skilled in negotiating, and both parties believing they got a great deal 😂

Early December, the Christmas decorations are out and about in the city. We did some Christmas shopping with Rocky, and she managed to get a photo of Lenny on Santa's knee without her realising she was on a strange red man's knee! A double hair appointment for Rocky & I (I was trying to go grey, but not quite ready for the change! Perhaps in my 70's 😉) - it was too soon for Lenny to have her's done.

Lenny & Santa

And then all too soon, it was time for Rochelle and Lenny to head home. Not wanting to feel too down at their departure, we emptied out of Vicki & Trevor's, packed up the Bus, and moved onto Motueka for the Bus to have its annual service the next morning. The Salvation Army finished the day beautifully with Christmas Carols in the NZMCA park. They were very switched on and knew to come after happy hour, but a very worthy cause. Time to head south for a two-week tour before Christmas.

  

Taking over the Bannings
Holly & Hanna dropped in too