Yet More Ferns

See I told you I loved ferns. The circle track at Pelorous Bridge is a great short walk. It only takes 40 minutes but has a back-country feel about it.

More Ferns

James seems to like ferns too.

Ferns

I love ferns. They have a primaeval quality.

Guess what? it's raining again so we drove back to Pelorous Bridge to do a couple of bush walks. As I said before, I like walking through the bush in the rain and this time we walked through a very humid, dank forest. I loved it.

That's My Boy

James had another dip in the sea today. Once he got over the fact that it was not as warm as his bath he really started to enjoy splashing around. It was great fun for me too.

Another Day at the Beach

Today was sunny again so we went back to the beach. I love this photo of James. He looks like an old man in a deckchair with a knotted hanky on his head.

This is the Life

James had a little paddle. Tracy and I had our first swim of the summer.

James's First Swimsuit

We put a small tent up on the beach so that Tracy could hide from the ozone hole. It is also handy as a changing room. James got his first swim suit for xmas

Sunshine!

Sun at last. We had a quick breakfast at the smokehouse (excellent smoked fish) and spent the day at Kaiteriteri. This is just outside the national park but it has road access so it is ususally quite busy.

There is a lagoon behind the beach which fills at high tide and the entrance is a nice safe warm place to swim.

Going Bush

Overall a very pleasant day. The rain was persistent but warm, the tuis were singing and the rata was in flower.

Anapai Bay

At Anapai Bay we had a picnic in the rain which made me very nostalgic for my childhood summer holidays. I even took James for a paddle. The beach was deserted and it was gorgeous despite the weather.

At the Beach

I got this back-pack for xmas and it is proving to be a very useful present. James likes riding high up where he can see everything and it can go all the places a pram can't.

Abel Tasman in the Rain

We woke up to rain again! In the sunshine the beaches of Abel Tasman are glorious, glass-green water rolling onto golden sands. In the rain the beaches don't have quite the same impact. Oh well, they do look kind of moody, atmospheric even.

Fortunately the bush comes alive when its wet. The colours become vibrant, and the smell of the vegetation and the sound of the rain make a bush walk a good alternative to a swim. We drove through driving rain to Totaranui beach and walked part of the Abel Tasman track to Anapai Bay.

Getting In Touch With Nature

Luckily, James doesn't seem to mind the rain.

River Rai

We stopped for lunch at Pelorous Bridge and went for a short walk in the rain.

Queen Charlotte Sound

We drove from Blenheim to Motueka via the Marlborough Sounds. It rained all the way.

Horses

We drove through a field full of horses. At Molesworth, mustering is still done on horseback.

Picnic

We had a lovely picnic by the river. Everywhere the ground was was covered in blue flowers.

Summer Holidays

Time for our summer holidays. We are off to Abel Tasman for a week at the beach. This is a bit of a risk as we are currently experiencing the worst summer on record. Oh well the first day was good. We drove from Chch to blenheim via Molesworth Station. This is the largest farm in New Zealand and the road through is only open for a couple of months a year. Its just a gravel track but well maintained and the drive is very scenic. This is a view of the river Acheron.

Red Like Dad

That's my son. Half Cumbrian, half Scouser. 100% kiwi (but Dad will remind him of his roots).

Dad's Present

A work of artistic genius! 

Thank You

James wants to say thank you for all his lovely presents and wish everyone a merry xmas. XXX 

Merry Xmas

Tracy pulled out all the stops decorating the house this xmas. 

W is for...

Saw this billboard the other day and almost split my sides. FYI, hell is a local pizza company. Mmmm pizza. 

A Special Message From James

 

Best of the Santa Parade

 

Santa Parade

James attended his first Santa parade. I think his mum was more excited though. We had a real variety of floats and vehicles this year. Hells Angels, The Simpsons, Stormtroopers, the Wizard, Hare Krishnas, K.I.T.T, Thunderbirds and the big guy himself.

It was fun, even for a grinch like me. I didn't quite make it to the end though. Little James fell asleep and I sneaked off to a nearby pub to catch the cricket. 

James First Paddle

He was a bit unsure at first but he was soon splashing around like a little penguin. 

Flea Bay

We spent the afternoon at Flea Bay and I took James for his first dip in the ocean. 

Akaroa Head

The view from the cliff tops is worth the slightly scary drive. 

Akaroa From Lighthouse Rd

We had lunch (v. good fish and chips) at the old french settlement of Akaroa. Afterwards we drove to the lighthouse at the head of the harbour.