Crusin the Mainland - 2025

 After breakfast, we take the Gooch for a walk along the cycle/walking path that runs from the camp into the city 6.5km away. We caught up with our old friend Sue Jones, ( Hot Rodding ) who lost her husband Ian a few years back, great to catch up with her, sadly she is recovering from cancer tumors, and hasn't been able to drive their roadster until she gets her clearance.   Gotta Pose on the legendary Nelson Landmark. We both had to pose Looking down from the steps. Coffee time Caught Downtown Nelson Goochie getting in his evening walk. Local wildlife whilst out walking. Caught out relaxing.... Sunset at camp tonight

 Moving on to Nelson, we decide to stay at Tahuna Beach Holiday Park and have booked this for the next 3 nights, driving through the flats under the mountains before climbing up and over to the other side where Nelson sits pretty in the bay. Arriving at camp, we check in and set up including deciding to add the awning for this stay.  The ground is so hard and it takes Daryl some time to get it all sorted but worth it once done.  We take Goochie for a short walk on the beach for zoomies( Goochie runs around) and then supermarket shopping is next on the list and we head for Stoke to do this, about 5km up the road. View from campground. After dinner, we take another walk down the beach which is dog friendly and back to the camp.  I go back out to catch the sunset going down - another good one. Sunset at Tahuna Beach camp Pretty darn cool sunset.

As we're starting to get into the camping/cruising mode again, we decided to stay in Havelock another day. Miss early Bird Brenda decides to get up at sparrows fart to head down to the marina to catch the sunrise, whilst the Gooch & Daryl snuggled in bed. From the marina, I spot a church on the hill and set off to find it by trudging up a hill and then waiting for the sun to come over the hill behind. Snapshot from the top of the hill over the marina By the time I got back to camp my toes and fingers were freezing and the boys had risen, so no snuggling for me! Upon looking at the local map a decision was made to head to The Portage for lunch, a leisurely cruise around Queen Charlotte Sounds, which certainly didn't disappoint, the scenery was pretty serene.  Looking back over Havelock Our first stop at Ohingaroa Bay Lunch @ The Portage Hotel, Mussel Crowder & smooth red wine to wash it down.  Even the Gooch was enjoying the views.

After meeting Rita this morning and settling our payment, we find out she is 97 - wow what a lady. We pack up and head off stopping not far away finding a market, so we poke around there for a while before leaving again.   The GPS takes us through the back roads in Spring Creek full of vineyards under the mountains and soon we are already in Havelock as only about 45kms away.  We drive around looking for a park and eventually call into the camp which is in town and they very nicely let us in at 11am.  This was great as we could set everything up and then wander up town to have lunch at The Mussel Pot, where we went several years ago with friends. Waiting for Thai Green Curry Mussels Goochie's not too sure about the mussels The Mussel Pot What a view for your work place The marina is just behind the campground and is lovely for a walk - we do the loop around the marina and camp very morning and night. Dry hills in the background provide a contrast to the native bush. ...

We are on the 1pm ferry today which means we need to be there by 11am . We go see Elle at Kindy again before we leave and get more cuddles. Quick photos at Mel's before we head off. The ferry area in Wellington has been extended and this is our first crossing since.  While waiting to board, I am looking at the voucher and we phone to book a seat in the lounge - only one is available and we take a punt and reserve this, hoping that we can both get into the lounge.   Our ferry arriving from Picton We broad and leave Goochie in the ute hoping that he will sleep through most of the journey and that he will be okay (he has done this once before okay).   Happily we both manage to get into the lounge using the voucher and are first there so get the pick of seats.  Leaving Wellington at 1pm, the ship sets off for the South Island - we are due to arrive at 4.30pm. Waiting to leave.... Towards Oriental Parade Looking down to Hutt Valley     The lounge is at the ...