Ngai's View - Marlborough Sounds

What a lovely week down south in the AdMach. Fantastic weather.
It started with us being shoved to the end of the campervan line for the ferry cause they didn't quite know which lane to put us in. This meant a very long wait for embarkation and disembarkation on the Aratere but not so bad on the Kaitaki since it loads front and back. We spent the first night near The Grove just as a starter since we were headed to Nelson to catch up with my other Mum - Jeb and my lovely brother Tim and his partner Lisa. Beautiful weather in Motueka and I took Clint to the Riwaka Resurgence and out to the Abel Tasman Park. After a few days we headed off to the Sounds via Moutere to visit my father's memorial.

An amazing road out to French Pass which is quite a mission to drive. Superb views and a nice little DOC campsite at the end of the road. I had always wanted to visit the tidal channel between the island and the mainland. Quite spectacular when the tide is heading out and in.

We headed back to Pelorus after this and a date with some kayaks and the river. Clint and I tend to have differing views of paradise. His is sun, sand and tidal bays. Mine is bush, river and swimming holes.To cover our bases we try to do one then the other. Pelorus River was warm and running quite low so there was quite a bit of bum shuffling on some of the smoother, shallow sections and I swam a fair bit thru the deeper pools. Not a lot of white water activity but enough to get Clint a little wet and a backward slide into an eddy resulted in me leaning the wrong way and falling in. Fun
We then finished by heading off to Havelock and a lovely dinner down at the Marina to top off a lovely few days.

The road goes ever on and on...

Next day saw us heading up to Keneperu Heads and Clint's favourite campsite so far.

A beautiful sunset and a lovely spot. Lots to watch out on the bay at low tide.

Off to Titirangi Bay next and another windy, dusty road but oh so worth it. An amazing campsite in a farmers field amongst the sheep. A pristine bay, shellfish galore - perfect.

The AdMach went like a dream the whole way and is an absolute delight on the dirt roads. Not sure why but I can have my window wound right down and get no draught or dust in. Love that. It's great being on the road.

...Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.

Marlborough Sounds

The Marlborough Sounds have lived up to their reputation both scenic and weather wise. We have had a week of glorious weather and the outlook remains good for the next few days.

French Pass

After a couple of very pleasant days with Ngai's 'other' mum in Motueka we headed for French Pass. A dusty, windy road that left arms tired from battling with the steering wheel for a couple of hours.

Road to French Pass

The Dept of Conservation campsite is very pleasant but not as spacious as we imagined. Cold showers were not appealing enough to entice me.
We had the constant company of Wekas, one stole my muesli bar from my hand whilst I was otherwise occupied gazing at the view. Cheeky bugger.

Abel Tasman NP

Next stop was Pelorus Bridge and the DoC campsite there is a credit to them. Very new facilities and a lovely setting. As it was Friday night there was quite a crowd including a large group there for a child's birthday. What a way to spend a birthday, they were clearly having a great time.
Ngai braved the chilly, crystal water for a bracing swim. I watched gallantly from the bank, keeping an eye out for crocodiles. Luckily, none were seen.

Riwaka River

This afternoon we paddle down the Pelorus River for a couple of hours, spend the night in Havelock and then head for Titirangi Bay, likely to also be a dusty trip but the campsite has been recommended by people we met at French Pass. A stiff norwester is forecast so we may seek some shelter there.