Southern Lights Signing Out

Well, our family blog has done it's job nicely. We are pleased that you enjoyed sharing our experiences via 'Southern Lights'. It's been fun and the adventure continues... so keep in touch!

Our phone numbers are 03 546 9755 (home), 027 3056 179 (Kay), and 021 418 381 (Simon). Email: owens@envisage-design.co.nz

E noho ra, ma te Atua koe e tiaki,

Kay, Simon, Flynn and Ronan

Things we love about Nelson #4

The swimming holes in the beautiful Maitai Valley.

Diving into the ocean off 'the wall' on Rocks Road at high tide.

Rasberry picking - oh, and eating!

Cruising Kaiteretere in the softtop.

Fishing Trip at Lake Coleridge

Lake Coleridge is 6.5hrs South of Nelson, only 1hr West of Christchurch. It is a 45km lake that generates a massive amount of (hydro) electricity for the North and South Island of New Zealand.

We have seen a lot of New Zealand, but were truely awestruck but the raw beauty of this particular lake and it's surrounds.

With our friends Kalar, Brett and Uncle Dennis we stayed 3 nights at Coleridge Village. Brett and Dennis have been fishing Lake Coleridge for many years now and were keen to show us the 'secret' spots!

There is a necklace of smaller lakes up the East side that made for a fantastic day trip. Fly fishing, kayaking and swimming

There are over 50 (fifty!) lakes in the South Island of New Zealand.

Flynn, Simon, Ronan, Dennis and Brett fishing for trout at Lake Coleridge

The Owens relaxing at the Coleridge house

Our friends Kalar, Brett and Uncle Dennis

Brett returning to shore after trawling for trout

Mystic beauty of Lake Coleridge

All that Jazz

"Few festivals in Nelson, and indeed New Zealand, are as popular and well supported as the annual Nelson Jazz Festival. The reasons are simple – loads of sunshine, world class musicians and over 50 events absolutely free of charge for individuals and families to attend."

Okay,  the above quote was from the Official Nelson Jazzfest Website, and although the entertainment and locations  were indeed world class, the attendance numbers were not so great! We are spoilt for festival choice here in Nelson over the summer, and many overlap to the detriment of hard working organisers.

However that did not stop us having a great night out at the stunning Woollaston estate.

Xmas 2009

Our first Nelson Christmas was great fun. We had 13 people in the house on the day. It was a real treat to have Simon's sister, all the way from Copenhagen, to stay for a week. Simon, Ronan, Flynn and Colin (Simon's Dad) are pictured above.

Simon, James and Tamsin Owen

Musician, Brett Holland

Kay all glittered up

Tamsin on Skype

Berry picking for the Xmas desert

Boxing Day on the beach, Colin James and Flynn

James Owen in his new Xmas Tee