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Published: January 8th 2007
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Nelson
Me and U Andy 29/12/06
In the morning we went into Nelson and had a coffee at one of the cafes, and had a walk round the shops. It is a lovely place and it was very hot so made it more enjoyable.
After that we decided to have a drive up the coast but on the way we stopped at Richmond because there was a market on. It was big and we walked about for around an hour. The only thing we bought was a couple of books for Aunty Tina. Then we drove further on to Motueka on the coast and had lunch then went along the beach and dipped our toes in the Tasman Sea. It was well cold and I couldn’t wait to get out. The beach didn’t have any sand and I ended up walking across the rocks with no shoes on. Uncle Andy had his beach shoes on so he was OK.
When we went back and parked the car and then went to this club next door to the motel which is like a British Legion so I was obviously the youngest there. We played a couple of games of pool and then went back
to have a shower and get ready for going out. Aunty Tina chose a pizza/pasta place called the Hot Rock Café and it was really nice. After that we went to a pub for a couple of drinks and then back to the motel.
30/12/06
We then set off really early to get down to Greymouth. We got caught in a traffic jam but it didn’t really hold us up that much. We stopped off in Murchison for our breakfast and had a stretch of the legs, then we carried on down to Buller Gorge which Uncle Andy had seen in tourist books but hadn’t told us about it. We pulled in and he said he fancied walking across this swing bridge (the longest in New Zealand) so we paid our $5 each and went through the gate. Aunty Tina took one look and chickened out so me and Uncle Andy went across. It was well scary and my heart was thudding like mad. We also had to pass folk coming the other way which was even worse. After calming down we drove further down the coast to Punakaiki.
This is right on the coast and the
Motueka
Me & A Tina weather/wind/rain etc has made these rocks look like layers of pancakes (that’s why it’s called pancake rocks). It was really good to see and we spent about an hour there walking round. The coast line up and down was brilliant although the sun was out, it was a bit windy. After that we drove down the coast road to Greymouth and found our next Bella Vista Motel which was out of town again. We walked into town and found an Irish Pub and had a couple of beers and a few games of pool before we went for tea. After that it was back to the motel to watch a film, because there is absolutely nothing to do in Greymouth - it is DEAD.
New Years Eve
In the morning we went to an old mining place called Shantytown. They have done it out like it would have looked in the Gold Rush days. They have old buildings and an old steam train which we took up to the gold panning area. They give you a pan each with stones, silt and you have to pan for gold yourself. We all managed to find some and they put
Tasman Sea
Me & U Andy in the FREEZING sea it in a little bottle for you. I’m sure mine is worth a lot more than A Tina and U Andy put together. I could be a millionaire and don’t know it.
After that we went to the pub (not for a drink) but to have our photo taken in old fashioned clothes. What a laugh it was hard not to fall off the bar. Then we had an ice cream and a bit more of walk round and I got put in the stocks and they were going to leave me there. Rotten lot. Aunty Tina and Uncle Andy had their picture taken in the long drop which is an old fashioned toilet. Can’t imagine sitting next to someone while in their. We went into the fire station and took a picture for grandad bet you’re glad you didn’t have to work on them. There was loads of Weka birds walking around Shantytown, they are like a bigger version of a kiwi bird but with a smaller beak. We left there about 11.30am and started on our way through Arthur’s Pass across the country to Christchurch.
More to come.
Ebo
xxxx
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SUSAN MCGEACHY
non-member comment
GOLDEN NUGGET SALOON! You all look great. There is no way in hell I would have walked over that bridge. It looks roasting in Shantytown. Hope you have a great newyear ebb. xxxxxxxxxxxxxx