Farewell Spit 4WD tourNelson

It was very dark at 05:00 am to get up and have the car packed and also catch the 4WD trip at 06:15 (still dark). The tides are the reason for these hours. Once we got over the shock, and we were underway, it was a great time of day to be doing the trip.

The 4WD bus held about 20 and the Swedish young woman driver gave us a constant commentary of birds, history, seals and much more. Two buses ran today which is sensible for 4WD outings in remote places. More on that...




The bus ran down the Spit, which is about 10 km wide and has a very flat sand beach and sandhills in centre. It was beautiful once the sun began to rise.

We saw a lot of NZ birds but the short season for migration has finished so no sign of godwits heading for Siberia.






Midway in the journey was the lighthouse with a stop for tea/coffee and a muffin. The lighthouse was originally operated using kerosene lamps and a staff of 3. These days it is run on power from a mains cable installed in 1930. It could easily by run on solar power if the cable needed repairs.

One of three houses once lived in by the lighthouse keepers.

We saw a number of seals either frolicking in the surf or resting on a rock.

Alas, as the other bus sped off ahead of us our Swedish girl did a 4WD no-no and missed a gear on a soft bit of sand and the bus was in up to its axles. When she needed the other bus he was out of sight and out of communication! The passengers took off their shoes and helped her to dig out in front of the wheels. This didn't help so she phoned for assistance.  Nobody appeared to help, so the men dug out more sand, pushed and shoved and pulled, and we were on our way again.
Hurrah!

 A view of Cape Farewell ended the trip about 13:15 pm.

Then back to Nelson to sort out the rental car in the morning and the flight home.

Awaroa to Collingwood

We packed our bags and paid the eye-watering lodge bill (we knew it was coming) and walked down to the beach to await the 11:00 am sea shuttle. The boat arrived at 10:30, on its way to the next bay North. The friendly staff invited us to hop aboard and collect our bags when they came back in half an hour heading south to Kaiteriteri. A much better idea than sitting on the beach in light rain.

After visiting several bays we arrived at Kaiteriteri and found our car as we left it. We then drove to Collingwood via the Takaka Hill which was in cloud and one-way for road repairs.

The Station House motel at Collingwood is quaint and historic but close to the 4WD Farewell Spit tour leaving at 06:15 am!

A day at Awaroa Lodge

This really is a beautiful place. After a huge breakfast of delicious nut/seed-filled toasted muesli with fresh blue berries, apple, banana, tiny kiwifruit?? and Greek yoghurt, we set off to walk the wetlands loop road. I kept stopping trying to record bird birds calling to each other while Doug chatted to Wekas. They are so tame.

 This pretty plant caught my eye. It's like a Christmas decoration.

We soon came across a platform where we could feed tame eels. Doug offered them something to eat while I tried to photograph them without falling in. There were lots of very large characters.

Kaiteriteri to Awaroa Lodge

We left the Nelson motel on a nice dry morning and reached Kaiteriteri about midday for a 2:30pm boat departure. Calm seas and golden sands had regular ferries running up on the sand with a gangway for easy passenger access.

Our ferry was a fast catamaran that dropped in on various bays on the way up the coast to Awaroa, with short stops to see Split Apple rock and some young fur seals snoozing on an island.

Awaroa was another sandy beach with about 20 minutes walk to the Lodge. The bags were taken to our room by the porter on a quad bike!





We ate dinner in the restaurant  and enjoyed some of the best cuisine that we've ever had. It was a real treat after self-catering and microwaved TV dinners!

Leaving Hopewell/Havelock/Nelson

The rain continued for the second day as we left Hopewell Lodge, grey sea and low clouds. About 3 hours drive to Havelock on very windy roads (lot of corners), 45 minutes was gravel, no dust this time!

Julie stayed in the Havelock YHA over 50 years ago, when she hitch hiked around the Sth Is with a couple of friends. It's the old school that Ernest Rutherford attended before he split atoms.

We continued on to Nelson with the rain easing. Filled up the car, 8 hours driving for $48. Not bad for a pocket Toyota going errr, errr, err. Doug doesn't like automatics. He calls it a 'buzz bomb'.

Mussel meal/Rainy Day/ Lunch at Raetihi Lodge

We cancelled our mail boat cruise dinner time yesterday. Rain clouds were gathering and the forecast was not good.

Last night, our hosts put on an amazing spread of mussels on the half shell with toppings, focaccia bread, and oyster fritters. It was neat sitting at a long table meeting and chatting with the other guests. There are Canadians, Germans, Irish, and Australians staying here. We seem to be the only Kiwis. One of the Australians had just completed a 28km. Queen Charlotte Sound walk.

It's an indoors kind of a day. We drove 2 kms back up the road to have lunch at the Raetahi Lodge. It was very nice - the rain seems to be lifting.

We plan on reading our books this afternoon.

Hopewell Lodge Kenepuru Sound

This is such a peaceful, beautiful place. It was so dark and quiet last night that we didn't wake up until 7.30 this morning - unheard of for us.

This Lodge is self catering - there's a really well equipped kitchen, plenty of fridge space, and lots of tables to sit out indoors and  out or you can take a tray back to your lodge.

We decided to do the Hopewell Loop walking track behind the lodge this morning. It was pretty steep   - walked for a hour but then abandoned it. It was pretty hard going for less-than-intrepid hikers! Too much gorse and wasps.

 

On our return our host asked us if we would like to join mussel night tonight with all the other guests. We're looking forward to that!

We later watched a German family kayaking. One of the children capsized. It was neat seeing them solve the problem for themselves. There was no crying or calling, for help. Another  capsized while helping, then they all paddled home. The parents (watching from the shore) told us that it was their first time in kayaks.

Another walk this afternoon. The scenic track this time. Nice to sit and relax now. We're going to go on the mail boat tomorrow.

Exploring CBD; Mardie Gras New Orleans style; Founders' Heritage Park

What a lovely city Nelson is - a good size for Whitianga-ites. There seemed to be plenty of parking. After some shopping, we made our way to down Trafalgar St towards the War Memorial and Nelson Cathedral. The street was full of cafe tables, with lots of people enjoying the sunshine. We decided that climbing the steps had better come first!

Stained glass windows in Nelson Cathedral

Time to join the cafe set for a cold drink. There was a really festive atmosphere at one particular cafe. Patrons as well as the waitresses were wearing brightly coloured necklaces. (Even the men) We decided to ask one of the men about these and were told that it was Mardi Gras Day, today - at least it was in New Orleans. Next thing we were given necklaces as well. Purple beads for justice; green for faith; and gold for power.

We had a look around the Nelson waterfront and visited the Founders Heritage Park which is a Nelson version of MOTAT. It has various restored buildings and local business history including Newmans Coachlines and their big blue buses.

A Bristol freighter sat out in the weather, one of 17 run by SAFE air in the sixties transporting cars and freight across Cook Strait. None are flying in NZ now, this one was open for visitors.

 Looking inside the Bristol Freighter from the cargo doors.

From the other direction.