Back to Nelson

Once we had finished up at Golden Bay we headed back to Nelson over Takaka Hill. The weather was still amazing so the drive up was fun, I dread to think what it would have been like the day before. When we got back we took a walk up to the centre of New Zealand. We were quite proud that we were keeping pace with the local running club who were training on the hill at the time. 

Nelson from the centre of New Zealand

Janine can't reach the centre point

I can though

After some time up the hill we wandered back down to meet up with my parents. The following morning we had a spare day in Nelson so I dragged everyone to a brewery. The Stoke brewery is the old site of Macs beer, that brand was bought by one of the big brewing companies and moved of site a few years ago. The MacCashin family started up a new brand called Stoke. The tour was by the artist in residence, a really interesting guy who had travelled a lot. Next we decided to show my parents the 2nd best beach at Kaiteriteri. They loved the beach and the cafe looking out over the bay.

Production line at Stoke Brewery

Post tour beer

Janine was convinced there was a giant kiwi on the way to Kaiterteri

Kaiteriteri Beach

Hello little birdy - Kaiteriteri

Saturday morning we loaded up the car and planned to head off to Hokitika. First we had to check out the Nelson market. If this market had been in the UK it would have been full of crap, this one was not. The organisers of the market insist that only local traders are represented. All the products are made in the region, the favourite was a peanut butter. Although Howard liked the local spirits.

This is meant to be a Kiwi hat - looks like something else