Abel Tasman Coast Walk..Marahau to Wanui Bay NZ

A quick dash into Nelson to hire sleeping bags and buy one or two provisions and then off we went to Marahau by pre-arranged bus.
Started walking the route at around 10am and immediately struck by the beautiful scenery around the coast.Lunched at Anchorage Bay hut and then on to spend our first night in a D.O.C.(Dept. of Conservation) hut in Bark Bay, which was very comfortable.....but basic! We had hoped to finish the route in 3 leisurely days(51k), but unfortunately had not accounted for tide times and the fact that bus services did not operate as normal on Sundays...which meant that we had to spend 3 nights in huts and walk for 3.5 days.
The 2nd day was even better than the first from a scenic point of view...golden, desolate beaches, azure blue sea and bird-song like nothing we had experienced before. A lovely hut at Awaroa where we chatted to 2 German girls(their english... perfect!!) and a great de-hydrated backpackers evening meal rounded the day off perfectly(well almost perfectly, as no wine!!)
Day 3 was excellent too and all was going well until we came across our last hut at Whariwharangi. this left a lot to be desired as no candles for evening light, lots of mosquito's and sandflies and a resident rat which insisted on running back and forth between the partition walls!!
After a poor nights' sleep, I awoke to find several bits of my anatomy had been attacked by the mossies(not going to be too specific here....suffice to say that 2 days later and I'm still itching!!).
Pam meantime had got off lightly by cocooning herself inside her silk sheet sleeping bag(clever girl)...this did lead to her suffering dizzy spells for 2 days afterwards as a result of lack of oxygen to the brain!!

Nelson NZ (South Island)

Up earlyish to catch the Ferry from North Island to South Island, a very pleasant journey on calm seas of about 3 hours. We arrived in Nelson and whilst preparing our evening meal, met a chap from Hucknall(recognised the accent as he was talking to someone else)...my what a small world!! Not only was he born and bred within a few miles of Mansfield, but he'd also played football for a club alongside an ex team-mate of mine from the 60's(whoops.. showing my age again).

The main reason for visiting this area was to attempt one of NZ's 8 great walks The Abel Tasman Coastal Route, so without further ado, we booked some transport to take us to, and collect us from, the start and end of the route respectively.

All the big roues require an advanced booking for huts, and even though we're not in the midst of the high season, there were plenty of people about(take note Martin and Sue!).

Wellington NZ

Arrived in Wellington to find a super hostel with lovely accommodation and all mod-cons available. Complimentary coffee, tea, milk and sugar...wow!!(take note UK hostels!!).
Spent latter part of afternoon walking up to Mount Victoria to the viewpoint over the city and harbour. Later on, explored the city, especially the Cuber St and downtown area which really had a certain vibe. Would like to say "went clubbing", but too old and knackered!!
The following day saw Pam taking off to "Te Pape" the museum to visit in NZ with lots of interactive and touch screen presentation centred on Maori culture and the peculiar volcanic origins of the country, whilst Paul explored the inner sanctums of climbing/walking gear shops abundantly peppered around one specific street in Wellington(very sensible planning I think!).
Met at Lunchtime and took the funicular up to the Botanical Gardens, where we spent a good few hours wandering around the unusual plants which grow in this part of the southern hemisphere.