Marvellous Nelson!

I just had the most wonderful time in Nelson!!! After the crazy week at Summerwine, I flew to Nelson to enjoy my first time on the South Island this time around. Some amazing friends from our village back in the UK, the Stubbs family, moved out to Nelson 4 years ago and it was just lovely to spend time with Robert, Tamsin, Jonathan and Anna. Nelson is just stunning, we had awesome weather and humongous servings of ice-cream. Just splendid.

View of Nelson from the "Centre of New Zealand"

My favourite adventure in Nelson was the day we took out the boat into Nelson harbour, and went out to Rabbit Island. It was gorgeous, and we had so much fun "sea bisbuiting" - towing an inflateable ring behind the boat... and I loved it! I was holding on tight, but at one point I realised my board shorts were falling off (something that was very worrying at the time, I can tell you!) so I had to decide either to hang on and keep going, waving farewell to my clothing, or bail... so, I bailed! I came to a stop, in the middle of the bay, put my hand down... and soon realised the water was only 30cms deep... I had landed on a sandbar!! I stood up in the middle of the water, and it looked hilarious, as though I could walk on water! The not-so-amusing task of trying to get back into the boat (wearing a some what ristricting lifejacket) meant seeking some seabed I could push off on... only to realise I was standing on oysters - one of which decided to eat me.... and I have the sliced feet as evidence....

The rest of the time was spent cheering on Jonathan at his swimming competitions, walking up to the "Centre of New Zealand", eating more ice-cream, walks on the beach, exploring the shops & relaxing!

Adventures on the boat!

Sea-biscuiting

View of the Sounds on the flight home