Back in time

Monday 29th. We had breakfast sitting outside on the deck. Not as warm as yesterday but still pleasant. Then we went for a walk around the garden. Well, walk's not quite the word for it, more a scramble and climb. The house is on the side of a steep hill and, consequently, so is the garden. They have many fruit trees, hens, vegetable plot, strawberry bed and part of a forest. It's difficult to tell where one property ends and the next starts. 

Next we decided to have a drive along Kenepuru Road. This road goes right along the peninsula, is very windy and has some beautiful views.  

We were going to stop for coffee but the clientele looked rather posh. 

Still, we had a good drive around and eventually returned to Anakiwa where we came two days ago. We sat for a while and watched the launching of one of the outward bound boats. Then, time for a short walk along the Queen Charlotte track. 

In the channel we could see a tall ship at anchor. 

As the walk progressed, so we got closer to the ship. 

We were put to shame when two ladies came running past us - it was bad enough just walking the track! We met quite a few others on the track including several cyclists. 

In the evening we went to the Linkwater Inn for fish and chips. It was like stepping back in time. 

Food very good, outside quite modern but inside, very retro. 

Part of the family

Sunday 28th. Decided to go into Havelock for church this morning. It was a fairly small traditional style church but with comfortable chairs, overhead projector, keyboard, guitar and violin. But not a young congregation - average age 50. (Brigid says that there were some children there as well.) 

We started off with worship songs, some of which we knew and some we didn't. There was open prayer and the minister, who also played the violin, gave a teaching on Romans 5. They have been working through Romans and even though there were a few visitors he continued with the teaching. I suppose there were about 40 people there for the service. After that, into the hall for tea, coffee, homemade scones and cakes - the kiwis do like their food. We were also invited to go along to their weekly barbecue nearby in Canvastown. 

As I said, we stayed for tea but then had a quick trip round the town before heading back to base. We then walked down the road, through a hole in the hedge and made our way down to a small beach. There Brigid managed to get a good swim while I sat in the shade reading my book. 

In the afternoon we returned to the deck back at the house and lazed away the afternoon under the sunshade. Mike and Conny had gone out to a rodeo so we had the house to ourselves. Various people called in, including Ted from the waste reclaim centre. He knew that Mike was after a lawnmower and one had been dropped off, just needing a few minor repairs. Roger, a neighbour, dropped by with a couple of beers and sat chatting with us until Mike and Conny got back. We were then all invited to join in a barbecue that they had planned and it ended up a really enjoyable evening. Maybe the beers helped but we really felt part of the family.  

The Swiss, Kiwis and unusual Poms

Saturday 27th. Sort of sorry to have to repack the cases and move on again but it has been good to hang up all our clothes and rediscover what we had brought with us. 

Set off up Dovedale and because I didn't listen to the navigator we went up Dovedale Hill, an unsealed (gravel) road. On the map the road was wiggley but in real life it was much better than that! Brigid has a video of the Big Dipper ride up one side and down the other. You'd pay a fortune for that ride in Disney land! 

Stopped in Stoke to top up with petrol as we had a discount voucher from New World. We then had an unscheduled drive round the peninsula because once again I didn't listen to the navigator! Mind you, it was a nice drive around an area that not many visitors would get to see. 

When we got back on track again we stopped in Nelson for lunch at the Boat Shed. They had some fresh Tuna, flown in from Fiji for a wedding but arrived too late! It was seared and served up with ciabatta bread, tomatoes and an egg tartare sauce - bliss. Brigid had a grilled prawn salad with avocado and feta cheese - heavenly. 

Moving on we had a short drive round Nelson town centre and then onto SH6 toward Picton. The road wound up through the hills (note I don't say mountains any more) until we reached Havelock where we turned off onto Queen Charlotte Drive and wound our way to our next B&B. But just before that we found the local waste transfer station where we got chatting to the couple in charge. It seems that the wife was from England and that they knew our hosts. They gave us a lot of information about the area and where to eat and what to see. 

The views from the road were stunning. 

Since we were a little early we drove on a few miles to Anakiwa and sat for a while watching the world go by. 

On finding our B&B we hadn't thought that things could get even better but, somehow, they do. Our host is a real Kiwi and his wife is from Switzerland. 

In the evening we returned to Havelock to the Mussel Pot for supper. There we had their platter which had a selection of mussels. Some were steamed, others in batter, some smoked, grilled, marinated and even a chowder. Quite a feast. 

When we got back home Mick offered us a beer and Connie said that we were the first English people she knew who drank beer. All the others preferred tea! Obviously they don't come from Bradwell! 

What's for dinner?

Friday 26th. More of the same today except that we popped into Motueka for a little shopping. We didn't really need any more food really but I wanted another barbecue! 

Bought some lamb steaks, picked some spinach from the garden together with an onion and away we went. We also found some rhubarb which was delicious. Also fresh plums from the tree. 

A Weka decided to come and say hello. They are so tame that it came right up to me and pecked at my foot. We fed it some leftover rice which it seemed to like. 

Last night tonight and then off to Picton. It's been a good time here. 

Sittin' in the shade

Thursday 25th. It really is lovely and peaceful here. We are making the most of this pause in our travels to catch up with reading, the internet, sort out the bank accounts and try to catch up with car insurance. Something always crops up when you're away. 

We had a medium walk today to Pokoro Swingbridge. 

This is a fairly old foot bridge that crosses the river between two of the road crossings. 

Just a couple of views looking upstream and downstream. 

We walked through orchards of Braeburn apples, plums and pears. Further down the valley are the usual vineyards but not as many as at Blenheim. 

We returned for a quiet afternoon of reading and generally lounging about. Well, that's what holidays are about, isn't it? 

This little fella came and sat on the arm of my chair. Have a look at the wings, they are quite transparent. 

Another lovely sunset this evening. 

Lazybones sittin' in the sun

Wednesday 24th. Did absolutely nothing today - no washing - no driving - no walking - we just sat in the sun watching the clouds roll by. Well, not in the sun, it was too hot for that. 

Sorry England but it was 30 degrees in the shade and we were so glad that we were somewhere we didn't have move away from. 

There are two cottages on the farm and the first two nights we had four Americans staying next door. However, today they have moved on and the second cottage will be empty until the weekend. So, we have both places to ourselves. Also, the other cottage has wifi which we are now able to use. 

We enjoyed a light lunch and then, heaven, sausage casserole (of sorts) in the evening. This and a glass of wine rounded off the day nicely. 

The Good Life

Tuesday 23rd. Today we are feeling lazy and domestic. It was a change to make a normal breakfast in a normal kitchen at a normal time. I know, it is nice when someone else does it all for you but it's also nice when you don't have to rush about getting showered and dressed so that you're not late down to the table. 

We were also able to use the washing machine and freshen up some of our clothes. So far we haven't worn two thirds of the clothes we brought with us and we're not too sure now why we did bring them. Most of our time has been spent in shorts and t-shirts. So much for long trousers, shirts, dresses and pullys. If only we'd known! Mind you, they may be needed yet. 

I pottered about in the garden this morning while Brigid tackled the washing machine. Another American style top loader but easy to manage. 

For once we had a light lunch and then wandered down to the river to see if a swim might be in order. At the moment, no! It might be OK for splashing about but not for serious swimming. Also, it's very cold water. 

We were going to walk along to a rope bridge but thought we would save that for another day. 

Back home for an afternoon snooze and a beer before supper. 

And, what a supper! BBQ time! Barbecued lamb steaks, onions, mushrooms, peppers and courgettes. Also cooked some sausages for tomorrow night's meal. All that and a glass of wine rounded off a perfect day. 

The Waltons

Monday 22nd. Farewell to our retreat. 

Today we retraced our steps back to Motueka, once again crossing Takaka Hill. 

In Motueka we stopped at the New World supermarket who had previously given us a Tourist Club Deals Card. This meant that we could get discounts on various purchases and have free use of their wifi. The wifi would have been free anyway but it's always good to get discounts. 

Motueka is a busy, vibrant town but, it's a town and we have found that we dislike all the hustle and bustle and all the traffic. Nevertheless, we had our usual tea, coffee and quiche at Muses Cafe. 

Where we also used their wifi to check up on how much money we'd still got (or hadn't got!) in the bank. Phew, just about able to keep eating out! 

We then set off along the Motueka River to Ngatimoti where we headed into the hills to our next abode, but this time for five nights. 

We have our own cottage complete with kitchen and laundry. What luxury! Outside the front door is a plum tree dripping with ripe plums. Opposite are apple and pear trees, all ready for picking and in the garden, fresh strawberries. 

Not intending to do anything much for the next four days. Might venture out to see if we can find the river where, we understand, the swimming is good. 

Supper in our new home. 

All very British

Sunday 21st. There is a private path down to the beach which passes one of the original camper vans in the grounds. 

The path was quite long, very narrow and overgrown and straight down the side of the cliff. 

But, in the end, well worth the trouble. 

An empty beach as far as the eye could see. 

We watched a skua diving again and again into the water in search of breakfast. Sometimes it lifted straight off again, other times sitting on the water, probably sorting out its catch. 

The beach was littered with driftwood and we were told that the locals would tie a rope to any piece they wanted and that would be theirs. Woe betide anyone else who commandeered that particular piece! 

Rather than face a long climb back up to the retreat, we walked along the beach into Collingwood where we stopped for tea, coffee and a cheese scone. 

I wonder, do the names Nelson and Collingwood ring any bells? Well they should since Collingwood was Nelson's second in command at the Battle of Trafalgar and in 1857 it was decided that Collingwood would be the nations capital. Plans were drawn up in London with street names like Orion and Excellence, with squares and parks all named and laid out. The only problem was that it never happened. There are still in Collingwood roads that are called paper roads. They are legal roads, drawn up on paper but never adopted by any town council. Also, the planners in London took no account of contours and drew straight lines on maps probably made by Captain Cook. So these paper roads go straight up one side of a hill and straight down the other. No gentle bends for them. 

We walked back along the old roads past their historic cemetery where the plans for Collingwood were displayed. 

We could also look over the fields which were to have been the centre of the town. 

In the evening we drove to the Mussel Inn for another excellent supper. 

When we got back the full moon was shining out across the bay.