20 February, Monday. Just a quiet day for a few errands around town.

21 February, Tuesday. We took a drive to Shannon for a look around. It is a nice small town with fun shops. The railway station is the information center and museum as well as a functioning station for the Wellington to Auckland train.

22 February, Wednesday. Laundry, Packing, and dinner out. As I looked out the window of the restaurant, I saw this mural on the building across the street. I'll have to look up more often. Tomorrow we drive to Wellington to get the ferry to the south Island

23 February, Thursday. We had a leisurely drive to Wellington where we got the Bluebridge Ferry to Picton. The day was mild and the crossing was smooth. We checked into the Jasmine Court Motel where we have stayed before. It is comfortable and convenient. As we were getting ready to leave to go out to dinner, I called the property manager of the beach house we booked beginning tomorrow in Golden Bay. She had no record of us. I explained we had paid in full, and she said the owner must have double booked. Off we went to Blenheim to meet our friend Rob Cameron for dinner. It was good to be with him, but I was distracted. During dinner, the beach house owner called...from Switzerland! She was very sorry, but there really wasn't anything she could do but refund our money! We left it at that. When we got back to our motel, I called the property manager to see if she had any suggestions. She said she'd call me in the morning. another glass of port, please.

24 February, Friday. Lisa, the property manager, found us a motel at Pohara Beach, and we set off for the drive to Golden Bay. This is a very picturesque drive..and, at times, very winding. The 35-40 km stretch from Motueka to Takaka, known as the Takaka Hill, is particularly winding and steep. It is the only road to Golden Bay; so there is nothing to do but relax and enjoy the scenery.
We arrived at Sunflowers Motel in Pohara Beach to find a throwback to the motels of the 1970s. Sid, the owner, has a group of individual cottages with clean, comfortable beds, separate kitchen..decorated in harvest gold wallpaper, our own bathroom, and a picnic table on the deck outside the front door...all a two minute walk from a gorgeous beach. And for NZ$82/night (US$59)...cash or check only!

25 February, Saturday After a morning walk on the beach we drove to Collingwood to have a look around. This is one of our favorite spots on the South Island. We stopped at the Rosy Glow Cottage where they have been making and selling sell handmade chocolates for 23 years. This was not our first visit! We made our choices and crossed the road to sit by the sea and snack. A bit more looking around, and then we drove to Takaka and had a walk around the town. This area, from Motueka to Collingwood, is filled with artisans, hippies, trampers, campers, and wannabees. There is something for everyone. We had lunch in a small cafe, got some cash from the ATM to settle up with Sid, and headed back to Pohara for another walk on the beach. and some shell collecting. We also visited "Pupu" Springs, one of the largest fresh water springs in Australaisa. The water is amazingly clear. My camera does not do justice to this beautiful natural resource. There is an interesting kiosk explaining the history of the springs and the Maori legends of them and an easy half hour walking track to the springs and back to the car park.

26 February, Sunday. Today dawned cool and cloudy. We kept thinking it would rain; so we stayed in and read and relaxed. When the rain didn't eventuate, we went bak to the beach for another long walk and more shells. Tomorrow we head southwest to Greymouth.