Cable Bay

Neslon has loads of places of interest. Our lastest find was Cable Bay, about 20 mins drive towards Blenheim from Nelson.


Click on this image to see detail. Note our address in Nelson top right.

The laying of New Zealand's first international telegraph cable gave the bay its modern name. The operation, from Sydney to Cable Bay, took 11 days and transmission began on 21 February 1876. A fire razed the station in 1914 and in 1917 the cable was moved to Titahi Bay, near Wellington.



We dusted off our ocean kayaks, slung them onto the roof of the Odyssey and paddled out to the marine reserve. World class paddling. We'll be back!

Update from Ronan and Flynn

These are some of my friends; Quinn and Josh at soccer practice. These are the Nelson Strikers.



this is really crap picture of me on my first of three days on my new paper round job.
The papers were really heavy on the first day, i couldn't walk properly and ended up with a swolen shoulder from the carry bag.
I don't know how much im getting paid for it (better be at least $24!!!) Well it wasn't really all that fun and i don't know if i want to do it again but anyway it was a new experiance!

Auckland Visitors!

We put our best clothes on for our big city friends Jason, Heidi, Leighton and Lilly, who stayed the night with us before catching up with their family and friends in Motueka. Cheers guys - it was great to see you!


Ronan and Lilly off to school in the morning.


Kay, Simon, Heidi and Jason enjoying the Nelson sun in the morning.

Local produce

There is nothing like the taste of a freshly picked raspberry. There are plenty of small locally owned orchards in the Golden Bay area. Many have a 'pick your own' facility; good fun and at a great price!

Organic farming is big in the Nelson Bays. It is a sustainable system of food production that maintains and replenishes the fertility of the soil. Compared to modern farming, which relies on chemicals, to artificially spur on growth for faster turnover and yield, organic produce is allowed to develop to its full potential. The result is a complex matrix of concentrated sugars and resulting flavour that just does not compare. Yum!


Kay picking berries.


Ronan, Grandma Oscar and Flynn in the fields.

our South Island road trip

We had a great 8 day trip discovering the sights around just some of the South Island during the school holidays. Our 4 berth campervan did the trick nicely - thanks Discover NZ!

We traveled the Alpine Pacific Triangle, to Akaroa and back to Nelson. Three of New Zealand’s popular recreational destinations, Hanmer Springs, Waipara Valley wine region and Kaikoura are linked by the Alpine Pacific Triangle touring route. The standout feature of this trip was the vast landscapes combined with stunning Autumn colours.

Some highlights of our trips were: whale watching at Kaikoura, Thrillseekers Canyon Jetboat, Christchurch CBD on ANZAC day and Akaroa on a warm sunny day.

Some pictures of our week away...


Dusk and Whites Bay, Blenheim.


Strange creature spotted in Christchurch!


Dune jumping at Kaikoura.


ANZAC Day Chirstchurch Cathedral.


Portrait artist sculpture, Akaroa.


Diving Sperm Whale, Kaikoura.


Grapes galore, Blenheim.


Flynn on the flying fox, Kaikoura.


Southern men.


Our camper (bottom left), Akaroa.


Wharf, Akaroa.


'Wicked Rentals' detail .


Catch of the day, yum!


New Brighton pier, Christchurch. Brrr.


Fish 'n chips, Lyttleton.


Christchurch in the Autumn.


Rear window camper panorama.


Seal colony, Kaikoura.


A game of cards approaching Hamner Springs.