Happy New Year!!!

Only 5 months late! I have finally added photos to this entry!!
December was a time of meeting up with friends, avoiding torrential rain and trying some Wwoofing!!

Sarah and Dan spent a few days with us in Nelson and Golden Bay before their return to the UK. We packed in lots of activities before the rain poured down (more than Christchurch’s annual rainfall in 48hrs!!) and damaged a lot of the area. We went on a cycling vineyard trail, visited Nelson market, went hiking to a waterfall and kayaked around northern Able Tasman National Park. Needless to say, lots of fun was had!!

Pure luck brought us the opportunity to go Woofing in the Marlbrough sounds – to a truly stunning location of Waterfall Bay. Three unique properties, owned by a millionaire photographer in their private bay, we had the place to ourselves as we helped the caretaker tidy up the grounds and the holiday cottage for some exclusive guests!! We were spoilt by their own vineyard organic wine, good food and lots of time to go on our own adventures in the area. We cycled some of the Queen Charlotte Track, hiked around the peninsular, kayaked around the bay and Paul caught us some fish for tea as we went exploring the Sounds in a little boat!!!

Christmas in summer was great fun! We had perfect sunshine, a beautiful Bach right on Golden Bay beach and enjoyed a few days with Alex and Nico from Christchurch. Playing cricket, eating and drinking too much, beach BBQs and horse riding around Cape Fairwell.



We then headed back to Takaka and Hangdog campsite for some great climbing – even in the rain! And managed a day cycling the famous Rameka track with a 700m descent!! Another weather bomb has now hit and New Years Eve parties have been cancelled due to flooding. We are heading into the mountains of Kahurangi National Park for some hiking and a different type of New Years in a small mountain hut miles from everyone!!!

Part of the descent!

Wishing you all the best for 2012!