As soon as we drive off the ferry at Picton we instantly know that we are going to love it in the south island. The first twenty minutes drive and we see barely another car and are surrounded by beautiful green countryside and mountains. The fields are full of hundreds of sheep and as its spring there are just as many lambs. One of the fields we passed actually had lambs springing about, it was the definition of spring! It was quite a long drive from the ferry to Nelson however the scenery was so beautiful that we barely noticed. During the entire 2 hour journey we passed only through small villages and farms with Nelson being the first big town we came to. It was getting dark when we arrived however there was just enough light to see why Nelson is the most desirable place to live in New Zealand it was gorgeous! We were staying at a campsite outside of the town centre at Tahuanui Beach. The drive to the campsite took us along the waterfront where the water was a beautiful aquamarine colour with the occasional volcanic rock popping out above the surface. When we arrived at the campsite we were pleased to find that it was much nicer than the last few we had stayed at so we plugged in and settled down for the night.

The first morning we wake up to find our campervan has morphed into a pressure cooker overnight! Oh no sorry its just that the sun has been beating down on us as we slept and raised the temperature in the van to 180° . We quickly get up, dressed and for the first time ever have our breakfast outside. We don't want to miss a minute of the glorious sun so we head straight into Nelson town centre to explore. The town centre is full of cafes, restaurants and bars and with it being a really nice day all the outdoor seating was set up and being put to good use. We went first to the information sight to get some leaflets and guides for Nelson and the surrounding area before going to get some brunch and a sunny spot to eat it in! After getting plenty of food from the bakers we found a sunny spot in the gardens at Nelson's very own Trafalgar Square to eat it. After lunch we had a quick look around some of the shops in the town and also paid a visit to the jewler who made the famous ring featured in the Lord of the Rings films (well he actually made 40 rings but who's counting). They had a prototype of the ring used in the opening titles and it is massive 8cm in diameter! We spent a couple of hours looking around the town before taking the scenic walk to The Centre of New Zealand! This was a walk up and around a fairly steep hill to arrive at a vista point overlooking Nelson town and the surrounding bay. At this point you are at the geographical centre of New Zealand. The walk then ends at the bottom of the hill on the Botanic playing fields which is where rugby was first introduced and played in New Zealand. To be honest it just looks like any old playing field but its pretty cool to have stood on the ground which played host to the first ever rugby training and game! We next headed back out to the beach near our campsite as the sun was still shining but you never know for how long! The beach was lovely and even nicer as it was really quiet so we just had a stroll along the waterfront watching the kite surfers battling with their boards in the gusty winds and freezing waters. Having walked around Nelson all day we were glad to get back to the camp to put our feet up, read our guidebooks and try to decide what we wanted to do with tomorrow.

We awaken in the pressure cooker around 9am and again we have to get up instantly as it is bloody roasting but that can only mean the sun is shining so we are not too bothered. We have breakfast again outside and for the second morning in a row are joined by a couple of ducks! It has to be one of the funniest things as soon as we open the van door they must hear it from across the camp and so they start to waddle their way over to wish us a good morning. They arrive just in time for us eating breakfast and sit like a couple of puppies waiting to see if you will spare any scraps. Anyway enough about the ducks as it is sunny we pack up the van and take the hours drive to Abel Tasmin National Park. The drive out of Nelson is lovely we pass field after field growing every kind of fruit and vegetable you can think of: oranges, lemons, cherries, kiwi fruit, grapes, apples, olives, asparagus and loads of others. It was really nice to pass all the stalls selling bags of fruit at ridiculously cheap prices, a bag of 10 kiwi fruits for 40p! (if it wasn't for Michaels phobia of all hairy fruit I would have to have indulged)! On the way to the national park we passed through a small seaside town called Kaiteriteri which had the most stunning picture perfect beach. As it was almost completely deserted we stoped to have a quick walk around, take some photos and we then decide to have lunch in the van. We fling open the back door and enjoy our soup and sandwich with one of the nicest views you could ask for. At this point I have to take a moment to mention more ducks as what blog would be complete without at least 2 mentions of ducks! It also gives me the chance to say that I think I am transforming into the new Dr Doolittle what with all the time I am spending outside! Yet again as soon as we open the van doors a couple of ducks cross the car park and come over to say hello. Now I know it is probably because they know we will feed them however after saying a quick hello they proceed to lie down together under the back of the van for a bit of a time out. We are really starting to wonder what it is with us and ducks! After a walk around Kaiteriteri its back in the van to make the short journey to Abel Tasmin national park. There were two walks available to us, a coastal walk and an inland walk. Both walks are in excess of 50km and take 3-5 days to complete so we decide to do a small 8km portion of the coastal walk as it offers beautiful views and it is also a flatter more relaxed walk! The walk starts out on a load of boardwalks over some mud flats before becoming a bit more wooded with the occasional peek at the stunning coastline below! The sand is the most beautiful golden yellow colour very different to any other sand we have seen before and in contrast to the dark volcanic rocks, green vegetation and aquamarine ocean it has to be one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand! We arrived at our turning point of Appletree Bay and leave the track to have a walk on the beach then take a rest before it was time to begin the tramp back. Once back at the van I have to admit I was glad to sit down as I think my legs are still recovering from the skiing and were feeling pretty weary! We decided that evening to treat ourselves to 24 hours of wireless internet and watched a couple of downloaded programmes including the much awaited final of Americas Top Chef (we only waited 2 months for it to be uploaded)! Its funny how excited you get over small things like watching TV when you haven't watched TV for weeks!The next day is Saturday and every Saturday there is a Produce and Craft Market at the square in the town centre which we were keen to check out. There were lots of stalls selling everything from fruits, meats, cheese, honey, fudge, crafts, jewellery and hot foods. We had a walk around before the smell from the stall selling German sausages was simply too much! Two bratwursts, a drink and a cinnamon and apple crepe later and we were finally full. We had another quick look around the market before going off in search of a barbour for Michael to get a much needed haircut. I left him in the capable hands of a very nutty Hungarian woman to have a look round some of Nelsons shops. An hour later we met up, I had read Ok magazine from cover to cover in the book shop (how have I lived without Peter and Jordans shenannigans) and Michael had enjoyed a haircut complete with authentic Hungarian head massage (a somewhat unexpected and uncomfortable experience)! Our afternoon was to be spent with an old friend of Michaels from his rugby days at Ayr. Kyle, his wife Joyce, their two boys Kieran and Hayden had moved back to New Zealand from Ayr in February and we were really keen to catch up with them while in Nelson. They had invited us to a Barbeque at his parents house with some of his family. We had a really lovely evening meeting all his family including his brother Leith and his wife Joanne. The food was amazing and we really enjoyed having someone else cook for us and we love barbeques so it was a hit all round. After a few drinks and plenty of chat we headed back to Kyle and Joyce's to watch a late night rugby league game. We were very lucky that we has also been offered a bed for the night, yes that's right an actual bed with a mattress and everything! Not that I am not really enjoying the campervan but it is just such a treat to get a night off in a big cozy bed! Our late night is made even later with the changing of the clocks for daylight saving. As its spring in New Zealand the clocks spring forward and we lose an hour (I really hate when that happens)! Even the trauma of losing an hours sleep couldn't disturb the amazing comfortable kip we were to have that night.We dragged ourselves from our cozy bed in the morning to go with Kyle and the family to his brothers for morning tea. Jo had promised cheese scones and cupcakes so we needed no persuasion! All the family were there and the cheese scones did not disappoint. After morning tea we went along with the boys to a Pirate Parade at Mapua. We were enjoying being with the family so much that we didn't want it to end and who can pass up the chance to see real pirates and a real pirate ship. The boys really enjoyed the tour of the pirate ship and Mike and I really enjoyed the sausage sizzle and the real fruit Mr Whippy ice creams (have we stopped eating since we got to Nelson)? After the Pirate Parade it was back to the house for us to say our goodbyes and hit the road again. We played in the garden with the boys for a while and then got the hilarious experience of getting to watch them try out their freezing swimming pool for the first time. Its one of those had to be there moments but I have to mention it as it was so funny and lovely to see them in the pool for the first time (all be it for 30 seconds as it was sooooo cold)! We said our thank yous and a reluctant good bye to the Brunning clan having thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Its then back in the van headed for Blenheim aka WINE COUNTRY!!!