Some days you just have to get to the beach

How excited can you get? These guys love the beach and chase each other until they're exhausted. (And so are we) This was our first adventure on the beach in NZ with the dogs. I think the dogs are going to enjoy these Beachside Apartments.

Dun Mountain Walkway

Boxing Day was a day to avoid the hoards of campers and holiday-makers which were pouring into town and filling the roads, shops and markets. So we chose to make the short drive to Nelson's historic Dun Mountain Walkway. It starts just a couple of km up through the Brook part of town. The walk starts with a steady 10 minute climb and then follows the historic railway route for another 90 minutes before a 40 minute descent back to the car. The first half of the walk is through pine forest which then suddenly stops and is followed by mixed beech and native forest then ends through a stand of Californian Redwood. There are several "sequoia" Redwoods around Nelson's gardens and they are magnificent. Several are 100 years old or more. The railway was built in 1862 and only ran for 4 years whilst they mined; first copper, then chrome ore from Dun Mountain. (so named after the igneous rock dunite) According to our guide book, Day Walks of Nelson, Ian Trafford, the mine closed in 1866 when American Civil War trade blockades made the cotton industry uneconomical and the mauve dye which was a byproduct of processing the ore was not needed.

Tramping Cable Bay

Yesterday was the first perfectly sunny, typical Nelson day since we'd arrived so we took advantage and went to Cable Bay for a walk. Trina packed the cut lunch and plenty of water and off we went...up...and up...and up to the first of the white posts which mark the trail. Around 45 min later we had found the top and a magnificent view out over the Tasman and Cable Bays. It was named as such because NZ's first international telegraph cable was run from here to Sydney in 1876.  Dogs missed out on this walk as it crosses private sheep farming property. I think they were happy to sleep it out for the day anyway.

There may be some hope on the home front too after Jo referred us to one of her mates with a place in Alton Lane in town.  We are also waiting to see through a place at The Cliffs. Fingers crossed.

Million Dollar Baby in making

With gym memberships on hold until we settle down somewhere, I have been running around the forest trails but Trina has been wanting to take up boxing training. So today we went out and found some gloves and pads at "Smith's City" then came back to begin the training. I must say Treen can punch pretty well, jabs, crossess, upper cuts and even a hook. So little by little we'll get her into shape until she's my "Million Dollar Baby" with a happy ending.

Dog Walking Highlights

Today's highlight was a walk along the Maitai River with the pooches. The weather has returned to typical sunny Nelson which makes life much simpler, especially for dog outings. House searching is still ongoing after the disappointment of missing out on a place in Cambria St in the Wood and also missing out on getting our first job at Founders Park. Must be better things to come just around the corner. 

Tonight is our first Nelson social event...dinner with Jo and Russell...hooray!!

We have arrived, dogs and all