Twisting and turning

The day started at 9am leaving Nelson heading west! Clear skies and frosty feet. First stop supermarket for supplies and out to Mapua

For a coffee and a loo break

Then an executive decision to take the coast road west…through Motueka, Riwaka and kaiteriteri beach!

Golden sands on the top of the South Island.

Then chauffeur number one (George) still at the wheel we wound our way over the Hills towards Marahau

Not an easy feat in a 7 metre bus…praying no oncoming trucks. And down into Marahau – the memories of family holidays at the “Blair” bach. George was so young he can’t remember.

We stretched our legs on the boardwalks at the start of the Able Tasman National park.

George has been rocking his timer so we can capture the moments with the both of us

It was then my turn to drive as we headed out towards the Takaka Hill. Did I draw the short stick…one way up and one way down, lots of corners and steep climbs!

The view from the top, once again snow underfoot and sun overhead…then the descent…

Into Golden bay…a walk to a lookout and a grand view of the “Bus”. Next stop Takaka and Dancing Sands Gin Distillary. Found it, but not my client (the owner) who apparently lives in Nelson (from whence we had come)!

The journey continued to Collingwood, where we luckily found a gas station and we were rocketing towards empty. No free camping signs everywhere and no eating places open! So further west they said, there’s got to be something! Actually in the middle of winter no!

Farewell spit, the northernmost point of the South Island and campground closed for repairs until May! Now being the 1st of July, we realised not everything you read is true! Sun setting and nighttime hitting us at a great rate we hightailed it back (east) to a camp we had passed at pakawai, just before closing time of 6pm. Non powered camp and peanut butter sandwiches for dinner, but here we are in the wilderness of Golden Bay!

Room with a view – at least George has while I am bundled up front. Gas heater on, no room to swing a cat…but winter camping at its best!