Zac

Even though the Zac is surrounded by cats, he still has time to relax amongst the native plants in the back yard.

Abel Tasman National Park

Cathy and David came over for a quick holiday and we all tramped off into the first stage of the Abel Tasman National Park starting at Marahau. The views were magnificent along the way and we eventually arrived at Anchorage where we had time for a quick chilly dip and a spot of lunch before the water taxi took us back. By the time we returned, the tide was completely low so the tractors had to be used to drag the boats up on the trailer as you can see. You can see other photos on Cathy and David's blog.(home42.blogspot.com/)

DJ on roadworks

Cement Stabilisation at Tapawera

Little Kaiteriteri

Trina and I finally had a full day off together so we drove out to Little Kaiteriteri and had a walk around the headland and a picnic. It was a dog day too. Trina and Zac loved the view whilst Karli was off to hunt.

Brightwater Festival

The Brightwater festival is about local food, wine and music. Trina was there in her official capacity as pie-lady in the My Pie van with Aileen. We took Diana along too who is sitting on the far left. Not long afterward, we were enjoying a Tussok Pinot Rose from Woollaston.

Lunch overlooking Ruby Bay

Rush Pools

Weekends usually see us out for a walk somewhere along the local tramping paths around Nelson. This one has the variety of overhead canopy pine forest to vast views of scrub covered hills. The destination today is the Rush Pool, a somewhat disappointing muddy water hole with rushes growing in it. I didn't even take a photo when we got there.

Local bush fire

It was only a small scrub fire over the hill but it was close enough to make us think. Ironically, it started from a spark when a mulcher hit a rock whilst clearing overgrowth around the Atawhai hills. This is the view from our bedroom window. Heaps of ash blew over into the back yard and the house wreaked of smoke but it was over in a few hours, nothing like the fires back in Victoria.

Opera in the Park

True to Nelson culture, there is an opera event held in an outdoor venue at this time every year. This year it was at Trafalgar Park and we went with Diana( our host for the first 3 weeks at Davies Dve) and her friends. It was our Australia Day celebration a day early.

Moving in

Let's skip a bit and work it out later. After weeks of anticipation we have finally moved into our rented house. As you can see it was a typical mess with boxes strewn about and complete disorder. Looking for the wine boxes...need some now!!!

The snail at the front door

One morning we opened the front door of the apartment to find a cute old Bedford Campervan parked on the street. Trina wants one just like it now so the search is on. Some of the mystery and romance of the old clunker might wear off once she gets inside one though. No mod-cons here.

A Cool Place to Stay

Sometimes it's the simple things. Finding somewhere to stay in peak holiday time with two dogs in tow was not all that simple. As it ended up though, we were guided to a Motel by the beach in Tahunanui with all the simple comforts, the best hospitality from the owner, Aaron, who looked after us like best mates.

For Tracey

Original Brightwater mail box. We saw it and Trina immediately thought of Tracy who loves all things "piggy"

Dog Pairs

Consider the odds of finding a Cairn Terrier like Trina's mum's pup Marco, let alone two, whilst out on a short trek to Whispering Falls. We didn't take ours. Zac is way too stubborn to tolerate the boredom of walking just for the pleasure of it. I would have to be prepared to carry him and that just isn't going to happen.

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