21st May,

Stayed in Nelson  today. Decided it was time we went for a good walk. Found a lovely quite camp site about 2 k from town, Nelson City Holiday Park  (NZMCA 1383) cost 34.40 with power, Very friendly people. Also a very clean and well kept camp. It is not a large camp as you will see in the photo's.  Had a good walk around town before it got cool.  Then on our way back found a fish & Chip shop as we could not be bothered cooking for tea. We had some blue cod very nice.

Nelson City Holiday Park



Nelson City Holiday Park looking to the back of the camp




John, Mel & Pete feeding the birds


22nd May,

Time to make our way to Picton at a leisurely pace, and enjoy our lovely country and it scenery.


Havelock



view of Havelock from the lookout



Pelorus Sound



Pelorus Sound same spot as above but looking south



Queen Charlotte Sounds




Port of Picton (loading the boat)




Logs ready for loading

 A quiet evening in Picton .

23rd May,
Early rise today to get the early sailing out of Picton via Bluebridge. Had a lovely smooth sailing arriving in Wellington around  midday. Called in to see Tania at work and for Mel and Pete to say hi to her. It had been 6 years since she had seen they were last over here on holiday.

John has wanted to stay and park up down at the Waikane reserve since we got the bus completed. It was very quiet . A limit of 4 vehicles can stay there for 24 hours. While we were in Waikane we were able to get a service done on the bus. Yah thats another 10,000 k till its due.

24th May,

Spent a lovely afternoon with Val and Jan Windleburn. The bus got a treat, it got a good wash. The dust  from the south island was still all over it.  Decided to stay for night here  while Mel and Pete caught up with family in Paraparaumu.



Jan feeding out hay to the calves




Feeding out 





Val caught on camera with John
 

From here we made our way to Patea and found a lovely quiet camp site right near the beach called
Caryle Beach Motor Camp. (NZMCA 1072) $10.00 per person. We even got delivered to our van door in the morning the local morning paper for the free. What more service could you ask for.


Carlyle Beach Motor Camp




Mel looking around the camp site 

From here we decided to go through the Forgotten Highway. A place John had not been through.
It was a very plesant drive with the sun showing itself at time staying at Taumarunui.

Forgotten Highway Scenery



Lichen on a fence along the highway



Wanganui river in the Forgotten Highway

The camp we stayed at Taumarunui Holiday Park (NZMCA 983) New operators there  very friendly people from England. Only to happy to talk to there quest which was great.

27th May,
From here we went to Raglan again pass some wonderful country side. Sad to say there had been a lot of rain the night before and it had caused a bit of flooding around the area.



flooded farm land





Water fall on side of road


We stayed at the Raglan Motor Camp (NZMCA 363)  Very clean and good toilets and showers. The kitchen was the biggest one we have used since being away. $39.60 a little dear we thought. We went for a walk around the town. No we did not stop at the  pub for a drink as was suggested by my cousin Maureen. We had happy hour back at the bus. On the way from Raglan we stopped at the Bridal Veil falls. 55 metres high. This is a must if you get to this area.

From here we went to Miranda once again a very lovely drive. This camp site is wonderful . It has its own hot pool.  (NZMCA 291) a freedom van park is available just on the outskirts of Miranda. We passed many vans on our way out. What a lovely view to wake up to also. A little expensive $39.60 but that included going into the pool. You guessed it John and I spent a lot of time relaxing in the pool it was 38.5 deg. Mel and Pete also enjoyed it as it would be there last time to have a soak in our mineral pools before they fly out on Monday night.  We even managed to get up extra early 6.30am and wander down to have a soak before breakfast. What a way to wake up. We would definately recommend this.



Lake Waikare