Back to sunshine

---

Hi All
Arrived in Nelson on Tuesday pm after almost 3 days of rain as we travelled up the west coast. Stayed in Franz Josef Sunday night hoping for weather change Monday but by 9am it was still v cloudy over the mountains and no flights we going. Decided to move on up the coast to Westport - a long day driving but not a lot to see on the way if the weather's poor. Apparently the views are great over the mountains when the weather's fine. Stopped for 2 hours at Hokatiki to se the kiwis in an artificial nocturnal setting in a small eco nature place. Great to see them and almost impossible to see them in the wild. Nothing much to see at Westport but went out to Foulwind Point - very appropriate name in the circumstances - and saw the fur seals and weka - a type of bird a bit like a brown moorhen - on Tuesday am before driving through beautiful Buller Gorge. Stopped at Murchison for a break - good cafe Beechwood and then on to Nelson. Found Charles and Elaines house easily and had a quick look at the cathedral - Charles is Dean. Today Elaine took us out to Kaiteriteri at the start of Abel Tasmen National Park and lunch at a vineyard and craft shops - Grape Escape. Wandered around Nelson this pm and walked up to the 'centre of New Zealand' view point.
Bye for now
Derek & Joan

---