Blenheim

Driftwood on Rarangi Beach

We arrived on the East Coast of the South Island in heavy rain- which is a liitle bit ironic as this is supposed to be the driest part of the country so far. But we're not complaining as the weather to date  has been really good. Our hostel in Nelson was busy and noisy but the B and B Driftwood Cottage  on Ragangi beach is  quiet and restful which is great. We have been taking the opportunity to slow down a bit and yesterday swapped the car keys for a kayak paddle. Gabriella the B and B owner recommended a tour by a fellow driftwood enthusiast Will Parsons of Driftwood Eco Tours. After a phone call or two we met up with him late yesterday afternoon and spent most of the evening into the night paddling along the Opawa River and around a protected wetland area called Vernon Lagoon. It was a real treat. Will was a character and a half with huge amounts of local knowledge and a love of  birds. It was just Andrew and I on the tour which was great . We saw black swans, spoonbills, caspian terns, gannets, oyster catchers, a NZ kingfisher, plovers and those are just the ones I remember. Will is also a bit of a mean cook and provided us with great muffins and tea plus smoked salmon and basil rolls saying that what he doesn't grow himself he gets from neighbours or at the local market.
We paddled back in almost complete darkness with little lights on the kayaks. It was a special night.

Spoonbill

Late Evening - Guide and Joanne

Shags in Silhouette

Tomorrow morning we pack up again and head up to Picton to take the inter island ferry to Wellington- the capital city of New Zealand . We drop out hire car off at the ferry terminal and will pick up a second rental in a few days as we head out of Wellington.

I'll sign off now and hopefully either persuade Andrew to do guest block number 2 or write a few words on the sites and sounds of the capital. Until next time.