After a couple of days recuperating at Hanmer Springs we drove toward Nelson and to our accommodation in Ruby Bay at Azalea cottage. We went for an evening stroll along the ‘ beach ‘ which was rocky .
Following morning we drove to Marahau and booked a trip in the Abel Tasman NP. They took us by boat and dropped us at Bark Bay and from there we walked back to Anchorage where they picked us up. It was a well marked track with a few ups and downs and with some side trips , including one to Cleopatra pool, took around 3 hours for 13.5 k .
Driving back we stopped at Motueka at Talleys and picked fresh Gurnard ,Snapper , Chilli mussels and Salmon pate . Tonight was entree mussels followed bt Gurnard stir fry and BRBPilsner Lager .
Following morning we drove to Matai River and dam and walked to the Matai cave . Part of the route is on the Dun Mountain trail , a shared walking and MTB trail . The first part is mixture of wide single track and 4wd along the south branch of the Matai River. You then off and cross Solander creek and are then on atypical enclosed NZ walking trail with rocks tree roots and mud . The salmon pate was perfect for lunch at the cave . The round trip was about 2 1/2 hours or 10.5k.
On the way back we walked through the park in cwntral Nelson and had coffee in the mall. Much to my chagrin there was an out of tune piano outside and after some arm twisting my rather rusty fingers and brain thumpex out interruptwd versions of king of the road and piano man.
Dinner tonight wasthe snapper and more beer.
