Up at 7.30 after far too little sleep ( thank you messrs Djokovic and Nadal )
Short drive to Maharau where we pick up Aqua Water Taxi to Awaroa. Novel way of getting the boat into the water as we board the boat at the ticket office and this is then towed by tractor down to the shoreline. The tractor then reverses into deeper water, unhooks the boat and weare on our way.
Special treat as we sight seals on rocky outcrop before arriving at Awaroa Bay,a real jewel of a location. Awaroa Lodge tucked away in the bush and Tony in reception very welcoming. We have been upgraded to the Kotuku unit ( named after an endangered bird species of which only 150 remain ).
Set off on short walk to Awaroa Inlet, which high tide prevents us from crossing,and on way meet 3 Kiwis , one of whom tries to tell me that the line he has drawn in the sand indicates sacred Maori territory.I tell him I'm crossing over it anyway so he will just have to shoot me. His response- "I don't have a gun so I just offer you a beer!" I refuse this but we do have a good chat about a number of no doubt trivial matters.
Wonderful sight on way back when we come across a huge group of oystercatchers ( of the bird variety ) lined up on the beach waiting for the supermarket to open on the incoming tide ( as a ranger later put it so drolly ).
Lovely dinner at the Lodge and then off to bed with a selection of books about John Eales, Ayrton Senna and the All Blacks.
A great day to start off our stay in the Abel Tasman NP.
The Obese Ferret
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Hanmer Springs to Motueka
Lovely brekkie served up by Theo ( wife Anna away tramping, as the Kiwis like to call bushwalking ).
Head off at 10.30 for fairly long drive north to Motueka at the southern end of the Abel Tasman Nat Park.Weather improves as we travel further north although the sandflies are a real pest whenever we stop for a short break.
Pies for lunch at a small cafe in Murchison which are surprisingly tasty in spite of their suspiciously yellow pastry. Arrive in Motueka about 3.00 and first up take walk along estuary before stocking up on provisions for next couple of days.
Thai take-away for dinner which we eat back at the Equestrian Motel, excellently run by a Alan and Lisa, a couple from the east Midlands in the UK.
G cranky re. inability to send email to Belinda on our travel plans for next year. Problem solved by my sending an SMS. Sometimes long for the days of carrier pigeons or smoke signals.
I stay awake late to see Robert Rock ( from Rugeley, my birthplace ) keep Tiger Woods and Rory McIroy at bay to win the tournament in Abu Dhabi.Aus Open not on TV at motel ( budget does not stretch to Skysports 3 ).Go to sleep with the score at 5-7,6-4,6-2,6-6 in favour of Djokovic v Nadal. Little did I know that the drama had only just started!
The Obese Ferret.
Head off at 10.30 for fairly long drive north to Motueka at the southern end of the Abel Tasman Nat Park.Weather improves as we travel further north although the sandflies are a real pest whenever we stop for a short break.
Pies for lunch at a small cafe in Murchison which are surprisingly tasty in spite of their suspiciously yellow pastry. Arrive in Motueka about 3.00 and first up take walk along estuary before stocking up on provisions for next couple of days.
Thai take-away for dinner which we eat back at the Equestrian Motel, excellently run by a Alan and Lisa, a couple from the east Midlands in the UK.
G cranky re. inability to send email to Belinda on our travel plans for next year. Problem solved by my sending an SMS. Sometimes long for the days of carrier pigeons or smoke signals.
I stay awake late to see Robert Rock ( from Rugeley, my birthplace ) keep Tiger Woods and Rory McIroy at bay to win the tournament in Abu Dhabi.Aus Open not on TV at motel ( budget does not stretch to Skysports 3 ).Go to sleep with the score at 5-7,6-4,6-2,6-6 in favour of Djokovic v Nadal. Little did I know that the drama had only just started!
The Obese Ferret.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
New Zealand 2012
Good flight Melbourne to Christchurch if a bit bumpy coming in to land.
Do not linger in Christchurch but head north to Hanmer Springs which is very reminiscent of an alpine town. The Mira Monte B & B is delightful and the host Theo is very welcoming, offering tea and home-made cake on arrival.
Dinner at Jolly Jacks in town excellent but nowhere to see the Aus Open tennis final between Azarenka and Sharapova. In electronic terms NZ very much behind the terms and will suggest to airport authorities that they put a sign up for incoming passengers " welcome to New Zealand- please put your clocks back 20 years!"
On the credit side our drive north serves to remind us what a beautiful country this is.
Early to bed to overcome the 5 hours time difference.
The Obese Ferret.
Do not linger in Christchurch but head north to Hanmer Springs which is very reminiscent of an alpine town. The Mira Monte B & B is delightful and the host Theo is very welcoming, offering tea and home-made cake on arrival.
Dinner at Jolly Jacks in town excellent but nowhere to see the Aus Open tennis final between Azarenka and Sharapova. In electronic terms NZ very much behind the terms and will suggest to airport authorities that they put a sign up for incoming passengers " welcome to New Zealand- please put your clocks back 20 years!"
On the credit side our drive north serves to remind us what a beautiful country this is.
Early to bed to overcome the 5 hours time difference.
The Obese Ferret.
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