Alpine Area Rally in Nelson this weekend

Great start to the day to see some aircraft formation flying in the Nelson sunshine.

Turns out many planes were in Nelson for the Alpine Area Rally,

it is an annual event down this way,

Nelson last held the fly-in event in 2007.

More details here at this site.

According to the site;

The 2010 Flying New Zealand Alpine Area Rally is being hosted by the Nelson Aero Club (NAC) at Nelson Airport on the western grass 02/20 runway.
Parking for competition aircraft will be along the fence line to the west of the grass runway.

That would explain why there’s quite a few planes parked in a very non-normal spot….that I spotted while walking the dog this morning..

Trade seems to be picking up…

If this recent photo taken this week is anything to go by.

While Port Nelson is full, and very busy this week……….

there seems to be no room for other ships who find themselves having to wait out in Tasman Bay for a berth.

Amusing Photo Department

Fridays is always a busy day to try to find a park in Strawbridge Square,

but it does make for some amusing photos?

Sunshine and breezes go together

on this Labour Weekend to make

Nelsons famous family playground, Tahunanui Beach, the place

 

to be if you are interested in Kite Surfing.

There were a few who looked like they were

having just too much fun, with some gusts providing the

perfect opportunities to get some “Big Air.”

Even if the whole thing was new to new, help was at hand.

Isel Park Stoke Nelson

Thomas Marsden had quite an interest in horticulture when he began his first plantings back 161 “springs” ago.

Local history website, “The Prow” describes how the legacy started;

Thomas quickly planned a 12-acre (4.8ha) park and was responsible for planting the specimen trees that formed the basis of today’s Isel Park.

Annually this is celebrated locally with the “Isel in Bloom” Festival, this years being just a few weekends back.

A couple of weeks later and all has been returned to normal. The grounds and surrounding area make it a favourite spot to enjoy the serenity and majesty of trees that are at least 100 years old .

Locally its also a favourite place for locals to walk their dog.

Blokarts on the Beach

When the wind blows….just another excuse for …………

fun on our world famous in NZ “Tahunanui Beach.”

Officially its not allowed, the designated site is the western end of Rabbit Island.

But after some time best to park up and watch someone else expend their energy.

Probably the most expensive plane

…to ever touch down at Nelson Airport, and its a private one

exactly the same as the one Peter Jackson brought recently a 550 Gulfstream, ….value approx. $65m give or take a dollar. Been there since arriving in the weekend.

Low tide shows clearly why…

Mariners of old got caught out.

At full tide everything looks serene.

Maybe the fact that Nelson has one of the highest tidal ranges in NZ, up to 4.6m on a spring tide may also have caught out the unwary.

Low tide shot here depicts exactly what I mean.

Many ships floundered before when entering the haven and Port of Nelson

in the days before a channel and deep water entryway, The Cut, was blasted into the Boulder Bank.

Our Nelson lighthouse

is open to the public, sort of.

You’ll need to visit the Nelson City Council offices in town to organise to get a key, then pack a cut lunch……………

and either walk approximately 8km [there is no road] from The Glen down to it, or find someone with a boat that can ferry you across a short 1-2km distance from the Yacht or Rowing Club to the Boulder Bank itself.

No doubt about Sailing…

Its clearly a hobby, or a sport, close to every Kiwis heart…………..

guess when you are surrounded by so much sea everywhere there’s no choice in the matter really.

A speedboat

What better way to enjoy the start of summer

but out on the bay in a speedboat.

Finally Sunshine a plenty……

and not before time, it seems records were broken recently with some of the wettest winter months on file.

Thank goodness in the last few days we have had some hints of summer coming.

Coming to a small screen…..

near you this Saturday and the “Big Race” on Sunday.

…… I suspect I know where the owner of this ……….

Nelson vehicle will be on Sunday too?

Water everywhere……

Visited our daughters and families in Christchurch this past weekend,

and stopped over at Maruia Falls just to see the effects of all the rain.

Sure was some water this time.

Even to the extend of creating small eddies that contained many logs awaiting their trip further down the river.

Here’s a Youtube video of some folk being just a tad more adventurous at the falls a few years ago.

Interestingly enough in these seismically aware times……the falls creation was as a result of the large 7.8 1929 earthquake that hit the Murchison region.

In the process it diverted the course of the river, choosing the new path, which after many extra years of erosion has resulted in what we see today.

More info on the Maruia Falls here.

Nows Good….

A sight to bring happiness to any Kiwi.

If you’re an ex-pat you sure don’t want to see this.

Or for that matter this either?

Slow Down…Yes its finally happened…

For years its been talked about, and now…..

………its done.

The stretch of Main Road Stoke between Robinsons complex ……………

and the Saxtons roundabout, adjacent the Bunnings store,

….has now officially had its speed lowered from 80km/h to 50km/h.

This will please many related residents.