Nelson

My base for a couple of days either side of the Heaphy track was in Nelson. Quite a busy but relaxed little town. Also a big retirement area, probably due to the mild climate. I walked up the hill for this view of the town and port. It has a unique natural boulder bank extending several miles out from the shore:


Church:


One day there were some acrobats giving a streeet show:


There was a loose story about a sailing ship adrift - masts to be climbed, sails to slide down and a trapeze. Pretty incredible stuff and entertaining for the school kids who had come to watch (note compulsory sunhats):



Lots of nice spaces to sit outside and eat or drink, warm enough for t-shirt even after dark:



Before leaving Nelson I went for a half day kayak trip from nearby Cable Bay. Through caves and between big rocks:


Plenty of wildlife. Cormorants, shearwaters, terns, this southern fur seal and even a tiny blue penguin that popped up right in front of me:



We stopped at a beach for some snorkelling where I saw tiny jellyfish the size of my thumbnail and lots of amazing beach pebbles:

Off to Taranaki this weekend.