Back in the South

---

Back in Nelson after our exciting weekend in Auckland, we tied up some business matters and found a neat little place to stay called Hacking Park. Here, we decided to try some new bedding options as the air mattress has been more of a hassle than comfort - it is loud whenever you move, uncomfortable, hard on Christina's shoulders as it is unstable, and hard on Kirby's lungs as it doesn't hold air... we bought a few extra pillows to level out the seats and are enjoying the change.

We stayed a few days, going into Nelson and Richmond during the day to tie up loose ends and got our Warrant of Fitness on Tui done. Every vehicle must have a basic inspection like this done every six months to be legally on the road, perhaps because of the intense roads? Just in case Tui got nervous and sprung a leak, we didn't let him know he was going in for a check-up. As we waited in the waiting room, Tui passed with flying colors and only needed one liter of oil - we were so proud of our reliable little petro-sexual.

After frustrations playing telephone tag with our insurance, we decided to go in and talk to a real live Kiwi; although it was catchy music while on hold, we grew tired of playing the game of musical holds and being passed around like the salad no one wants at a potluck Finally, we got clear answers that apparently were too hard to get on the phone (just like home!) and know that we are actually insured.

Before diving into our job search there was a bit more exploring to do up the North West tip of the South island around Golden Bay. We headed up the coast toward Abel Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks. We stopped at Wairopupu Springs and marveled at the springs that pump 145,000,000 liters up to the surface each day (14,000 liters per second)! They are the clearest spring waters in New Zealand with 90 meter underwater visability and were once used ceremonially by the Maori people at birth and death, and for blessing visitors. Also interesting were the golden sand beaches, and the vast sand dunes along the Farewell Spit (a long narrow 'sand bar' that arcs out for many kilometers into the ocean). We spent a few hours walking the dunes before the wind, sun, and being sand-blasted caught up with us and we needed a day to recuperate in the shade.

---

Photos

One of Many
This one of the many campers we see out and about on the roads. Obviously homemade holiday homes. Very neat.

AHH Breakfast in Bed
Kirby enjoying being home and starting a new book.

How close does the tide come in?
Apparently, we parked at low tide and in the morning, the road we came in on was covered by water. Good thing we had no work to get to.

Naturally Fashionably
Christina sporting a large pine cone upon a strand of grass (or fesque)

Over looking the Orchards
A top a hill, we looked over the many orchards of Motueka, known for the mighty New Zealand Apple.

About 90 degrees Right
This is the rest of the valley, with pasture and some vineyards.

Off the Road Again
Another of many rest stops we took along our drives.

Walking on Water
Christina walks across the waters at Wairopupu Springs.

Through the Clear Waters...
The many stones and plants growing on the bottom were visible through the clear water

Koru Leaf
A national icon, the fern frond in its natural state

Dunes on the Farewell Spit
Christina says it is more meaningful when pictures have people in them... so that is Kirby... in the sand.

Christina on the Sand
This was pre-sunburn

Radiant Beauty
On a walk in Abel Tasman, Christina's true colors shine

And I thought Kirby was tall!
Kirby making sure it is a tree... and it is.

Comments

[Betty A]

Wow, what beautiful scenery you are seeing, rough and rugged coastlines and wonderful green rolling hills! I especially like to see all the green, since we still have at least a foot of snow to go.

[Betty A]

The plains of Saskatchewan and Alberta will seem pretty mild after all this coastal living!