Christchurch to Pounawea

Lake Ellesmere

Left H&R and Christchurch to head off all the way to Lake Ellesmere (Te Waihora) - yes we did a total of 46km - big day!

Lovely spot looking across the lake - not that the lake is that pure. Lots of other campers & motorhomes. It was a good spot to stay two nights and have a day travelling around in the Suzuki exploring that part of the country. We drove down to Fisherman's Point, where they open the lake occasionally to prevent flooding and freshen the fish stocks. (Flounder / eels / mullet / whitebait). 

Seed propagation in Canterbury

We did a bit of tiki touring ( Bill loves tiki touring - the Kids weren't quite so keen). Driving across to the Rakaia Huts where Bill & I were both soooo sure we had stayed another time in Big Yella. But no! We hadn't been here before and luckily we hadn't taken the bus even though we originally thought we might have stayed the night.

As it was blowing quite strong, we didn't think we'd bother moving and they were charging $15 a night! Can't keep this life style up at that price, so we decided to stay another night back at Lake Ellesmere. On our return the wind came up on the side of the camp we had parked on so we moved to the other side. Amazing how different and sheltered this side was. Well! Until 1.00am that was! When the wind had changed direction and was blowing side on to us. Bill kindly (either this or kill me!!) moved the Bus to a different angle so we could no longer feel the winds impact. Ahhh..... then we were able to return to sleep. We really thought there would be big pine trees or at least big branches down through the nights gale force winds, but we were surprised the following morning on our walk around camp not to see any damage thankfully.

Hardy Fishermen - didn't see any fish though.

These beaches go on forever!
 Didn't appeal for a swim though.

As we headed out from the lake we called into Hantz Honey Ltd- Lakeside Apiaries where we had a very informative woman tell us all about their business and what they produce and the different varieties of honey they sell - Kamahi / Blackcurrent / Blue Borage. Should a hive become diseased they have to burn them - a $600 loss.  We were very impressed with the information and the pricing of their honey, so stocked up once again. (Last time was when we passed through Geraldine before Christmas. She also informed us that Canterbury was the country's biggest seed producer - we had noticed a lot of paddocks with plants that had gone to seed covered in netting to protect them from the birds. We had wondered what they were growing in the different fields.

We continued our trip southward staying off the main road, visiting the Fishing Huts (Holiday Huts) at the river mouths along this eastern coast line. Rakaia Huts on the southern side of the Rakaia River, Hakatere (Ashburton) River, and Rangitata River. These huts have been in some families for a long time, but speaking to a local at the Rangitata Huts we were told how times are changing. The Timaru Council administer the leases on these properties for DOC. The leases have dropped from 25 years to 5 years plus an inspection.

Nicely tucked in below the wind

The "Huts"

I guess at Rangitata Huts

This is where they are checking you comply with waste water etc. A few properties still had long drops even though these huts are all in close proximity to each other. Main water supplies are in place.  And at this particular location they would only allow 15 permanent residents - I am assuming this is all they think the public systems can handle.

After driving down a terrible single lane, full of pot holes, road to Orari River mouth where there were half a dozen hardy fisherman trying to catch anything in the rough seas, we had some lunch. Checked out Milford Lagoons where we had stayed about 6 years ago and were then impressed with the little settlement and had paddled the lake. But this time round after heavy rains earlier in the week and an over caste day - it wasn't as appealing. So it was off to Winchester to sleep by the bridge along with another lot of campers.

Timaru was our next destination for two reasons:

l          *It's a nice town to visit
       *It has a Book Exchange where I was hoping to get the 5th book in the Clifton Chronicals that Marg has got me addicted to. Sadly the shop didn't have the next instalment! 
      When trying to find the area for Camper's to park, where we knew there was plenty of room for our towing rig, we got a bit lost in the City's Gardens. We ended up going through the City Gardens on a road that we think was only meant for maintenance vehicles. The maintenance guys having smoko did look a bit surprised! We must have gone through where a bollard was down that would normally have prevented this. Thankfully we managed to squeeze out at the far end! Ticket is probably in the post!!

Having the time, we visited the I Site and did the Rock Art Exhibition. This was very informative of the Maori rock art that exists around NZ and it's meaning to the different Maori Tribes - particularly the South Island's 5 Tribes. We didn't realise there was so much art history discovered around the country - mostly on private lands.

Tight turn

A couple of hours later and then lunch, we did the  Loop Walk along the coast line and up an estuary. Rowing practice was in full flow for teams of Girls from singles, doubles, quads and coxed eight boats that barely had room to turn in the width of the river.

We headed off to Waimate for the night - staying in another NZMCA camp. This camp has doubled in size since we were here about 8 years ago. The local volunteers that look after this site have done a lovely job.

Steam Punk HQ Oamaru

The next day was supposedly the first day of Autumn (Noooooooooo not yet!) - we had a lovely day travelling through to Dunedin via Oamaru. Oamaru has a beautiful historic centre they have preserved. It was good to see it reasonably busy with tourists even though NZ is now past peak visitor season. Steam Punk is an Oamaru trade mark, exhibits are placed around the area creating interesting conglomerates.

 Old Oamaru.

Oamaru is known for it's history with Penny Farthing Cycles

Dunedin was dull and cloudy on arrival. We took  the Suzuki out to the Otago Peninsular to the Albatross Centre that was still fairly busy with tourists even though it was after 6pm. The visitor centre was still running tours at that time which shows there must be demand .We didn’t take the tour but the Centre was packed full of interesting information. When we left, there were several of the huge birds winging around. Very neat!

Dunedin we emptied/refilled our tanks and cupboards before heading out to the Catlins for the weekend where the annual Cavalcade event was riding into Owaka the next day.

Having stayed at Pounawea back in 2002, it was nice to return and stay at the same Crib (Batch) once again. Fran's sister Annette and hubby Poss have owned this little bit of paradise since 2001 - great to catch up with them, and friend Marilyn,

Even time for a cuppa while mowing lawns

who also arrived for the weekend to watch the Cavalcade arrive. But before we parked up with our bus on their back lawn, the lawns needed mowing. And as this is a chore I do miss - I am happy to do it. Always very satisfying.

The hardy Riders

The hardy Cyclists

And the Drivers arriving in style

The Cavalcade was a huge event for this little settlement. 400 odd riders and horses covering 9 trails this year, departing from various places throughout the Otago Gold Fields. The original Cobb & Co Coach left Dunedin in November 1862 for the Dunstan Goldfields - 129 yrs later in 1991 retracing the historic journey, the Annual Cavalcades began arriving in different Host towns around the area so each town got a chance to show off its own history and involvement from the Gold Rush days of Otago.  

Relaxing back at the Crib

Walkers were added in 1994 and this year cyclists. All arriving into the town at the end of 4 or 5 days riding through the Goldfields.   A first for Bill & I to watch as they paraded into town and then onto the Market for some food and a little local wine or two. Great atmosphere bringing a lot of locals back for the weekend, so there was a lot of catching up for our Hosts.

Early morning from Pounawea

We returned to their Crib back in Pounawea and continued enjoying the sunny warm afternoon. Finishing off with some whitebait fritters was a great way to end the day. Probably one or two wines less, or that Bailies Marilyn, might have been a better way for the day to have ended! But that wisdom did not occur till the next morning, of course.

Sunday, it was time for us to leave this peaceful little community and head off to Roxborough to pick up our new kayak that Bill bought 6 weeks ago on Trademe. 

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.

Christmas in Sunny Nelson

                                 

.

We are house & cat sitting in Nelson thanks kindly to Fran (hope you enjoy Hanmer).
Hope everyone enjoys a relaxing time with family and friends.
Shannon, being the only one of our children to join us with the other two celebrating Christmas in Perth, will be spoilt rotten and over indulged.

Shannon with her Daddy looking out over "The Cut"

Shannon & Bill at the top of Trafalgar St
The street is looking very leafy at this time of year.

On Shannon's early arrival into Nelson a couple of days before Christmas, we picked her up (driving through the chaotic road works as Nelson's airport is having a major overhaul) and headed into Nelson's famous Market. The Christmas Market I feel is the best market of the year with lots of variety and a relaxed atmosphere. Well it was for us! With no pressure to rush anywhere, we browsed around the stalls, and then had a coffee on the Cathedral steps.
Looking down on Trafalgar St from here, you can see how mature the trees are now that were planted in our early days of arriving in Nelson in the late 80's. How plain the main street was in those days.

Christmas Day - Rabbit Island

Christmas day was spent out at Rabbit Island - a beach for those of you who don't know it, where we use to go a lot when the children were young as it was a lovely safe beach for the kids to play and swim in. We took Bill's mum Joan with us in the Bus and met up with Bill's brother Alan & Eare and their son Mathew. It was a very quiet Tyler affair, no arguments or robust discussions like the Nicholas's (my family) would have. But a very pleasant day till late afternoon when the wind came up creating sand storms. So we all headed back to Frans for a bbq dinner - Lucky was happy to see us return.            

Boxing Day was spent at Pippa & Johns where Simon & Nicki joined us for lunch with their girls too. Pippa offered her place to meet as the weather looked unpredictable but as it turned out we could have met at a beach. It turned out sooooo hot and sunny that it was good to have the shade. And the young Girls certainly enjoyed their time in the pool. Thanks P&J for a lovely day. And Simon & Nicki, lovely to see you get some time off over what is one of your busiest times of year- it was lovely to share the day with you all.

Hot enough to cool off in the pool
(well the little ones thought so with Johnny - Simon supervising)

Lucky waiting on his dinner

As we had Fran's bike available for Shannon to borrow, we did a cycle on The Great Taste Trail - Nelson / Tasman cycleway. We had a perfect day and the trail wasn't too busy. We were ready for a nice cold ale on our arrival at Brightwater where we also had lunch before returning to Richmond. A very pleasant 31km cycle, although Shannon did say the next day it had been a while since she had been on a bike so parts of her anatomy were a little tender. Poor Shanny :(

Which direction is the right one!

Half way!!

Very refreshing ale at HQ

With Christmas bringing lots of families back to Nelson, it was good catching up with friends at the Market and at their homes. It had been a few years since we had caught up with some of our friends children, so it was lovely catching up on their lives too.

Shannon's time with us went too quickly and before we knew it, it was time for her to return to AC in Wellington where they were to attend a wedding the next day with an old school friend of Shannon's, Darko.

Rocky and Daniel went away camping south of Perth over the Christmas break, which was quite a different one for them but very relaxing after their busy year. And Nick & Emily celebrated with Em's family - his first real Aussie Christmas. Hopefully they missed us a little bit even if they did have fun!

So Christmas was over for another year. They seem to get quicker each year, but the best part is they are certainly less stressed. Well for us at least - or should that be for me! Bill's have always been relaxed!