The Great South Island Adventure: Part I

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Hi Everyone! This is Nicole speaking....I have decided to write a piece of the Layden Family blog to give Mom and Dad a break for once. We all know they are both working extremely hard. Last Monday morning the five of us took the Interislander ferry to the top of the South Island to the small town of Picton (Population 4,700). To our surprise Picton is a great little town with wicked (awesome) views, and there are tramping (hiking) trails everywhere. Our apartment is the tallest building and we are on the top floor (#5). We have been so busy here, waking up late, having our coffee, taking naps, strolling along the beach and eating. It is pretty awesome that our biggest worry is what to have for lunch that day.

Two days ago we drove to Blenheim to go wine tasting. Me, being the responsible driver lugged the others around five or so wineries in the famous Marlborough Wine District so they could all get free samples. We had a great lunch of goats cheese tarts and seafood chowder before tasting. It was heaps (lots) of fun and everyone had a great time, not to mention the wine was pretty good.

On Wednesday the five of us went fishing in the sounds (small inlets of salt water). We ended up catching a lot of fish, scallops and a few sharks. The older couple that owned the boat were a crack up (something thats funny), they were so grumpy and stuck in their ways. All five of us got told off 7 or 8 times for having our feet on the bench, tangling our lines, letting too much line out, asking too many questions...the list goes on. The two of them were pretty funny though, and again we had a great time.

It is now Sunday and we are packing up for the next leg of the trip up to the Abel Tasman National Park for a week. It has been so great having my family here and spending a decent amount of time with them all. As for Chris and I, we are doing really well. School has finished for the year which is nice and my work at Aspex is still going strong. Chris is still working at the lumber yard JSC Timber and still enjoys it. He is thinking about going back to school here to prepare for College back in the states. We are both really looking forward to coming home to the States in roughly a year. If anyone has any ideas of great places to live and work please let me know.

So I want to wish everyone a Merry Chrstmas and hope your all doing well. Dad is telling me to get off the computer and come trim his nose hairs so I better go before I get in trouble. I miss you all heaps (lots) and cant wait to be back!!

Love, Nicole

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Photos

Another bathroom in NZ
This one was on the way to Wellington. I was getting the official dog greeting

On the Ferry to Picton
Car ferry to South Island even though it actually goes north.

Coming into Picton
Beautiful little harbor

Hiking around Picton
This is in the Queen Charlotte Sound. Beautiful views everywhere you turn.

Finally Eli got one
Felt bad because we had all caught heaps already.

This is what heaps of fish look like
They tasted good too!

Vines as far as the eye can see
Marlborough sits in a valley and there were miles and miles of vines. They also made some incredible Olive Oil. We bought some that tasted like lime.

Lunch at a Vineyard in Marlborough Region of NZ
The wines at Mahi were awesome.

Really enjoying the wines
I was the designated driver for this crowd. Went to 5 different Vineyards.

Comments

[larry]

south island blog by nicole
thanks for writing nicole. i thought your dad was the only funny one in the family. really enjoy reading your stories, and jokes, and seeing the photos. look forward to the next one love larry

[Grandma V]

Awesome
Would love to have shared the fish and wine. Looks like a beatiful place.

[Alison]

Very Nice!
It was 28 degrees and windy here this am.... wish I were there with you :) Happy Holidays!!!!!