We walked northwards along the expansive beach.

With the tide low it felt so huge

The archway rocks dominated the scenery

Tim trailed his stick and told me I was to follow it so I wouldn't get lost

We clambered around the rocks at the end of the beach and found some baby seals sunbathing

You are sposed to keep your distance but this wee one came to visit me so I had to have a chat with him eh?

Isn't he so cute?

Tim loves exploring the rocks and the rock pools

We headed up the beach to try and find the route out.

The wind gusts were getting stronger.

It was quite picturesque watching the sand trails glide along as the wind blew across the top of the beach

We got a bit lost.

No sign of any signs so meandered, then I saw others heading up the dunes so I went in that direction.

There were beautiful patterns in the sand banks.

They weren't like this after I clambered up them!

We finally found the sign and the track back out.

It followed alongside of the wee river for a while.

Found out later that this is often full of whitebait (in season) and if we had followed the small river at the end of the beach it would've eventually led us to here.

 

We got back to the car 2.5 hours after we had left.

We were wind swept and our eyes, ears, shoes etc were full of sand.

But it was a brilliant walk.

Loved, Loved, Loved it!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We enjoyed another delicious breakfast & socialising with other guests for a leisurely hour and then had to make the serious decision as to what to do with our day.

It was a glorious morning so we decided to take the chance to drive out to Wharariki Beach.

I hadn't really planned to drive so far during this holiday but it just seemed the right thing to do for the day at this point.

So behind the wheel I got and we cruised westwards.

The Farewell Spit Horse treks were out on the Puponga Beach.

It was low tide so a vast expanse to explore.

We continued on our way.

Passed by Old Man Rock

Drove to the Wharariki carpark.

Put on our walking shoes and jackets as the wind was quite cool despite the sunny day, and headed off across the paddocks, following the orange markers showing the track.

We opted to take the long route passed the lakes

It was a lovely walk.

Quite windy in places but once we arrived through the bush and the vista opened in front of us the wind wasn't paramount in our minds.

It was spectacular!!

Tim found these critters strewn along the water line.

We were fascinated.

Have since found out that they are called Velella velella

It was the absolute best place to have fun with my panoramic setting.

The wind was stronger as we moved north along the beach.

I was leaning back into it here and it was keeping me upright!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We cruised off to Takaka.

Arrived there around lunchtime so went to The Wholemeal Cafe to have lunch and wait for Leon & Leanne to arrive.

I had heard great reports from many others about this cafe so was keen to go there.

But I was very disappointed.

The building and atmosphere was pretty cool.

But the service was not.

The food was okay but nothing startling.

I was very unimpressed by the staff attitude.

And when talking to another guest at the Lodge that evening found they had had the same experience.

Seems that it has had a great reputation for a long time and is now just resting on it's laurels and therefore the standards have slipped badly.

We sat in the sun out on the back verandah overlooking the garden centre next door.

It was a lovely spot.

Leon & Leanne arrived with their Japanese student Yuna.

We chatted for a while and then gave them the biscuits Mahalia had baked for Graham, but Tim had forgotten to give to him.

They were heading home from Puponga so had met up with us to get them to him while they were fresh.

After we parted company Tim & I headed back to Clifton and went for a drive down Clifton Road.

We finally found the Grove Scenic Reserve.

We spent a delightful hour wandering amongst all these fantastic rocks and bush.

The pictures tell the story - but to do it total justice you really need to go there yourself.

Tim has been raving about it ever since we went there

For me, it was an artists paradise, with interesting shapes and textures at every turn.

Tim was fascinated with the rocks and the trees and where they were growing etc, etc.

Look! I even found a hobbit sitting in a sunny grove

A tall narrow crevice to squeeze through

which leads out onto a viewing platform

 

This was the most curious of all.

A huge tree with roots straddling the rock

As we left I stopped to take this photo.

The viewing platform is on the right of the photo

 

We got back to the Lodge in time to shower and change for dinner.

It was so lovely to sit and be waited on.

Steve made me this delicious Buttafinger Cocktail.

We met a lovely retired couple from Nelson there and chatted a while before dinner.

We were enjoying their company so shared a table with them and continued socialisng over the best steak I think I have ever eaten, served with mushroom sauce and fresh seasonal veges .

It was preceded by a plate of Italian Onion Soup and followed by Chocolate cake and ice cream.

A delightful end to a lovely day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wasn't as brave as Tim, the rocks were a tad too slippery for my shoes, so he took my camera down to the waters edge and took some photos of the falls.

and then one of me - the spray had soaked my camera!

A final photo - after I cleaned the lens!

As we left we could still see the spray for quite some dsistance

returning along the board walk

Looking upstream from the swing bridge

A very large tee trunk that had been washed down in the floods.

Tim was speculating as to the large log jam it could cause if it got stuck across the wrong part of the river!!

The forest floor was really pretty.

Dappled in sunlight and fallen leaves

It really was very beautiful walking back through all the ferns

Lots of replanting after the floods

The view of Wainui Inlet from the road

The tide was out - I loved the patterns the sea and sand made, and the dozens of sea waders fossicking for food in the sand

We drove slowly back.

There was lots to see and also many one way barriers blocking traffic from the slips

This large section of road

ended up down in the gully and completely covered this house.

The part you can see here is only the remains of the top story!

It did protect the houses below though so I guess there was some good come out of it

Ligar Bay.

My most favourite photo I have taken in a long time

The tracks up to the monument

The Able Tasman Monument

Tim reading all the historical information.

The storm clouds were amassing over in the west.

Love this photo - very dramatic clouds

The view of Ligar Bay from the monument.

View of Tarakohe from the monument.

From here we headed into Takaka to meet up with friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Breakfast is served between 8am and 9am.

We managed to make it before it finished!

After a delicious breakfast of muesli, fruit & yogurt, herb tea and toast we were all fueled up and ready to go sightseeing.

All the places we were about to see we had heard of many times over the years but had never been there.

We drove around the corner and found the Tarakohe Wharf.

I pulled off the road so Tim could check out the mussel boats that were unloading.

There was a hive of industry happening there.

I was more interested in the rock formations and the interesting old structures from the days of the cement works.

Fascinating place to build a bach.

Squished in between gigantic rocks perched up above the road.

Looking back towards Pohara from Tarakohe.

We drove on to Wainui Inlet.

They were hammered really badly in the December 2011 floods.

We were gobsmacked at the devastation we were seeing.

They are cleaning up and rebuilding - some very extensive ongoing work involved.

We parked up, put on our walking shoes,

and headed off in the direction of the...

There were creeks to jump across

bridges to cross

views to check out along the way

tracks to wander along

funny folk to meet

tree roots to trip over

interesting trees growing in strange places

a river to listen to as it tumbled and rumbled

and splashed over and rushed past huge rocks

massive slips to navigate

a swing bridge to precariously negotiate

the view below down stream from the bridge to stop and admire cautiously

and yet more evidence of the December devastation

all of what was up there

ended up down in the river

a boardwalk to walk around

and then we are finally there!

The Wainui Falls.

The 40 minute walk was very worth while.

It is so beautiful up there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was still a tad drippy when we left Parautane Lodge.

But thankfully the main rain had passed over and just left the wind to buffet us as we carried our things up tot eh car.

Our room was just at the right of this picture so we had to climb down a number of steps and ramps to our room and then a few more to the dining room.

I was completely fascinated with the structure of the terracing.

They have done a great job in utilising the bank and from an artistic point of view I thought it looked great.

They have used texture and shape and its all very pleasing to the eye.

The view from the visitors carpark is stunning.

You can see all across Tasman Bay to Farewell Spit.

The other three guest rooms are to the right of this photo, on the same level as the dining room.

This is the entrance to our suite. It is at the back of the main house and completely private.

The best one I thought - plus it has a private balcony facing Mt Arthur

As we left I stopped to take a photo looking up at the Lodge.

 

I dropped Tim off at Seb's and he connected the trailer and truck and then headed over to Motueka to deliver the posts to Prime Pine and gather up some more that had been left at friends by Anson months ago when the place was shut.

They all need to be treated so they can be bought back home to be used for fences etc.

I drove out to Stoke and dropped off my load of 2nd hand curriculum and books etc at the Curriculum fare Phillipa was running.

Then, I zipped out to Ross & Andrea's to pick up the rest that I had stored there last week.

I think I had about 12-14 large boxes of stuff to get rid of.

Once I had gotten them all organised I then headed back into the city and fueled up, picked up some stuff I needed and got a frappacino - very much needed by this point as it was midday.

Then I trundled out to Ruby Bay and called in to visit Ella.

She and Grant have just shifted.

It was great to see them in their new place.

It is huge and has so much more space and grounds for their children than the last place did.

I spent a lovely couple of hours there.

Then just before 3pm I headed off to meet Tim in Motueka.

We were supposed to meet up there around 2pm.

I found Leon & Leanne's house where Graham is recuperating and visited with him while I waited.

It is the first time I have seen Graham since his accident.

He still has a very long way to go.

He had just been for his first walk so was looking a bit tuckered, but also in pain with his broken ribs.

Now it is just time as he waits for them to heal.

But he is in a great place to rest and spend the time getting well again.

 

Tim finally arrived around 5pm!!

The jobs took longer than he expected.

He chatted with Graham for a few moments while he took 5 and had a drink.

Then we left and headed over the Takaka Hill.

 

We found our way to Ratanui Lodge at Pohara.

Checked in.

Met our host Steve - always smiling, effervescent, helpful, cheerful, polite, informative and fun.

Tim made himself comfortable as soon as we walked in our door.

I just love the decor.

The bathroom basin & cabinet is just lovely.

Found out later after talking with Steve that these are bought off the floor at Home Depot in the USA!!

We then walked next door and had dinner at Penguin Cafe.

It was a very delicious and beautifully presented meal.

I loved how they had made these bar tables from wine barrels and native timber.

 

After our long day and delicious dinner we were very ready to crash out in our extremely comfortable bed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We discovered that Alan at Parautane does a very good breakfast.

We enjoyed his food and conversation for an hour or so and then went back up to our room and chilled out for the rest of the day.

It was really good to do absolutely nothing.

The day was wet and very windy so not conducive for anything else.

In the evening we headed into town and met up with Ross & Andrea, Pat & Phillipa for dinner at The Stables.

It was a really lovely evening.

We don't get together often enough so it is a special night when we do.

I was really tired so despite the wonderful company I was very ready to head back to our room around 10pm when we all left.

The others headed to Ross & Andrea's and had a very late night!

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a quiet night with just us Tim was up early so he could go out to Lud Valley and unload Graham's timber at one of his customers.

When he returned we packed up and went to pick up Nathan around 10:30am.

We spent a lovely few hours at Crusoe's Cafe enjoying brunch in the sunshine of their courtyard.

I love spending time there with Anat & Rami - they are such wonderful hosts and serve delicious well presented food.

We finally dragged ourselves back to the car and went on a cruise.

Called in to see a few folk but no one was home - it was too nice a day actually, so I don't blame them for not being home!

We popped into the city so I could go check out a shop.

We went to the supermarket and got some food for dinner and dropped Nathan back home.

Then we picked up our gear.

Had to giggle - Tim crashed out at Seb & Phoebe's cuz he thought we were staying there!

I told him that I had other plans so he finally parked up his truck and trailer and then came with me.

We went on a wee mystery tour and found our accommodation for the next two nights.

Parautane Lodge

We had the Harris suite.

It was lovely.

Very private & comfortable.

Fantastic views.

A lovely restful spot.

We bbq'd our dinner.

Or rather Tim did and I watched.

 

We went for a walk down to the spa.

47 steps down and up!

But worth the effort.

After dinner we went down and had a spa by starlight.

It was a delicious end to the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had a cruisy start to my day.

Then mid-morning I zipped into town to get groceries to send home with the kids.

Seb took Azzan shopping so I had time to zip into The Wartehouse and find some flowers for Mahalia.

I found quite a few more wee flowers that she loves to plant around the garden - polyanthus, pansies etc.

Plus I found some small azaleas and some polygala multiflora at reduced prices too.

Of course because I was in a hurry by that time there were checkout queues for Africa.

I had fun chatting with the lady in front of me as we crawled towards the teller, wondering why on earth they only had 4 checkouts open at such a busy time

 

When I got back Azzan was buzzing cuz Seb had bought him a birthday pressie - a boom box with an iPod slot on it.

I helped them pack up the Legnum - by the time we had everything loaded in there was barely room for Tilly (in her cage) and Azzan to squeeze in the back and Phoebe had stuff stuffed around her feet.

But they made it back home safely and because Tim had gotten tied up with quite a few last minute jobs Seb was there in time to help him load up all the posts and timber.

I went and did a spot of shoe shopping and then headed off to spend the arvo with Estelle.

It was really nice to be able to go and just stop there and not have to race off anywhere.

We had a great afternoon.

Lots of talk and catching up.

I left around 7pm to go have dinner with John & Sally and Julian and friends.

Tim didn't arrive out till about 9:30pm.

We fed him some dinner, unloaded mussels and then headed back to Seb's where we spent the night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shanni and I didn't need to be in town until 10am so we left an hour later than usual.

We had a fun trip out.

I played 'Hot August Night' and tried to convince Shanni it was a fun cd to listen too.

She finally conceded that the best song on the album was 'Soggy Pretzels' 

The lyrics are so funny.

 

We had time to get some frappacinos, and then drop off some bags of recycling clothes at the Red Cross. before I left Shanni at her 10:15am appointment.

While she was busy I shot down and got the back tyres replaced on the Terrano.

Then  picked her up and we shot out to Richmond so she could have a music lesson.

While she was busy with that I went to pick up Azzan from Teapot Valley Camp.

Fitted the two Puklowski boys in as well and dropped them off at the gran's.

Then we got Shanni and headed into town.

I dropped her off so she could hang out with Katherine for the arvo - they had lunch together and then went op shopping.

Seb & Phoebe came into town so they took Azzan with them.

I met up with Eilidh at Oasis Cage near the Info Centre and had the worst nachos ever for lunch.
That is one place I will not be returning to in a hurry.

They were seriously the absolute worst I have had in a long time

It was lovely to sit and chat with Eilidh though so it sorta made up for it.

I then headed off to visit Hitomi and have my hair cut.

I had a couple of quick things to do afterwards then I zipped up to get Shanni & Katherine and take them to the airport.

Neither of them had flown alone before so I got them checked in and settled.

They only had about 10mins to wait for their flight to Christchurch so I said my farewells and took off out to Richmond to pick up the computers that Ross had been fixing for me.

I called in to visit Tim's bro Martin & Sylvia and spent a couple of hours showing them photos on Facebook of their nieces' wedding, engagement and holiday photos.

They are not on FB so were missing out.

They loved seeing Cat's Mediterranean pix, Sunni's wedding and Jesika's engagement photos.

It was getting late so I zipped over the hill, picked up some Chinese takeaways for my dinner and got to Seb & Phoebe's around 9pm.

Azzan had had a lovely time hanging out with his big bro.