Nelson, Kaiteriteri and Abel Tasman

The weather in Nelson was such a washout that we saw very little of it, instead going to the cinema to watch La La Land!

Actually the most memorable moment for Carolyn when she was lying in bed and she felt the earth move; with a 5.1 Richter scale earthquake! Nic had his own earthquake moment having a pee in Picton, the locals talk about quakes as we do the weather.

We found better weather in Kaiteriteri on the coast just outside the Abel Tasman national park in an eco resort in the hills adjacent to a stonking mountain bike park of which Nic took full advantage while Carolyn took full advantage of the pool and the washing machine did its stuff.

Having carefully repacked our gear into drybags (how many hours of this trip have been spent packing/ unpacking?) for our 3 day kayak/ trek we set off on a high speed "water taxi" to the North end of the Abel Tasman park, in blazing sunshine ( for the whole 3 days! ) to walk to the lodge prior to picking up our 2 man kayak the next day.

On the first day of kayaking we were a group with a guide, the second, unsupported, a first for us. Paddling along in and out of the coves and bays, searching out the wildlife was idyllic, especially the sting rays and shags swimming under the kayak.

Picnic lunch on Mosquito Cove (none to be seen!)

Another first was on the first day kayaking with the guide when we joined together the four kayaks, placed a large tarpaulin on two paddles which we then erected with the front two persons gripping on for grim death and off we went, a big breeze directly behind us, almost planing along for a good mile.

Just pottering along by ourselves on the second day was even better once we had crossed over the 'Mad Mile", a known stretch of choppy water which was thankfully calmish on the day.

The accommodation was interesting as well, a lodge in the wilds the first night with some brilliant glow worms in a rocky enclave the grounds, eels to feed in the marshland and a great night sky and Aqua Packers, a floating hostel, on the second which was great fun and with an excellent BBQ supper.

Having paddled our way back to Marahau we drove to Blenheim to meet up with Robert and Liz again at our accommodation in the middle of a vineyard.