01 Jan 2011 - Blenheim to Nelson

Happy New Year!  Today we hit the road again but since we did very little other than pack and drive this blog will likely be short. 

We are travelling from Blenheim to Nelson on highway 6 which had been closed for several days due to flooding damage and mudslides.  So we were a bit concerned as we hit the road about what to expect even though all reports indicated the road was open.  However, this moring we awoke to cloudy skies but fortunately no rain.  We both agree that the weather here in New Zealand is really changable so we are learning to go with the tide.

The road was really not a problem although we could see several places where water had covered the road.  What was very noticable was how many places the road had been covered with mud, logs and rocks.  In these areas we also noted that logging had been done on the hills along the highway and the rain likely created mudslides.

We also were a bit concerned about finding a place at a campsite since this is prime holiday season and Nelson is a prime location (much like the Okanagan Valley in August).  Fortunately we found a park with space and settled right in.  After that we decided to head downtown and check out the downtown fair in a parking lot.  We had a great time walking around and checking out local items for sale from food to homemade objects.  The only thing I bought was some speciality cheese made by the seller and it was good.

We returned to the campground to really spend time sorting out plans for tomorrow which will involve a hike.  We have noticed a few sandflies around so we definitely need to be prepared tomorrow with 'off'.