Intrepid explorer Sue Merton

Our Birkenhead friends the Mertons were in town last week. Sue and Kevin were booked into the newly refurbished Penthouse Suite of the Rutherford hotel no less! Nelson has it all for the outdoors and artistically minded Sue, Kevin, Thomas and Henry. 

Sue was like a budgie let out of the cage. She was off and away for the day, exploring Nelson and surrounds in Kay's Nissan!

Nice to see you Sue!

winter warm-up

We had a little party for our new-found Nelson peeps.

the Anatoki Salmon farm

Anatoki Salmon is a small freshwater salmon farm just out of Takaka township. Situated on the banks of the Anatoki River with a tranquil backdrop of native bush, you can relax and enjoy a unique fishing experience. You only pay for what you catch. The friendly staff prepare and smoke your fish. Then off to the picnic area. Yum!



Good luck Ronan!


Our 3 salmon smoked and ready to eat.


Wow - talk about fresh!

Golden bay shines

Being the school holidays, we left Nelson for a couple of days to explore the top end of the Able Tasman National Park. What a treat to discover the true beauty of 'Golden Bay', only 1.5 hrs away. We stayed at the Beachaven Cottages, located on the beach at peaceful Ligar Bay.


The water in the Park has a clear and deep turquoise colour. The colour of the sand gives the bay it's name. In the immediate area there are many large and unusual rock formations.



We were lucky with the weather - sunny and warm! The snow on the distant peaks were a bonus. The South Island has sweeping and majestic scenery. Beathtaking really!


Note the Able Tasman memorial top left.





The Able Tasman National Park is only a short drive from Ligar Bay. We took an afternoon walk to a large waterfall. At one point we had to cross a long narrow swing bridge. Mr Spielberg, if you are reading this make a note to use it in your next Indiana Jones movie!


The Takaka Hill was covered in snow. Flynn and Ronan enjoyed throwing the stuff.