Heard of the Boathouse…..

no no….its not something to do with Greece and Mama Mia….no we are talking about Nelson here.

For many locals its there favourite haunt….none the less because of its location.

Simply put there is not a better location in the whole of Nelson town to relax, take in the atmosphere and while you are at it…..enjoy a nice relaxing meal.

If you want a “heads up” don’t forget the locally farmed Marlborough Sounds sourced salmon! I sure don’t.

The Waimea Plains….

sit in the delta between Mapua and Richmond,

stretching back inland to Belgrove,

about 5 ~6 kms south of Wakefield.

Plenty of well irrigated farming land, cattle, sheep, fruit, grapes,

you name it and there’s a good chance its growing here.

New Nelson Ferry triples capacity!

There’s a new addition to the regular goings and to-ings on the Haven.

Every local remembers the familiar sight of the old Ferry leaving its dock at Wakefield Quay

…………ferrying visitors across to Haulashore Island.

Well that old Ferry has now just been replaced by a brand new custom designed and built version.

And the number of passengers it can carry has risen to 30.

Looking at the above photo I’d say the capacity has not only tripled but would go so far as to say its probably quadrupled!

A most delightful way to see

the Nelson to Tahunanui Beach route ……. by taking the scenic coastal trip

which departs hourly during the summer months between 11am ~ 3pm from the bottom of the Christ Church Cathedral steps at the top of Trafalgar St ………..

travelling via Haven Rd – Wakefield Quay – Rocks Rd to Tahunanui…….

and in none other than an open air 1925 Morris Charabanc (“sha-ra-bang”)…..the only one in New Zealand.

Full details over here at Tour Nelson.

Richmonds Annual Market Day a Success…

….again.

Over 120 stalls displayed their wares and services at the annual Richmond Market Day.

The main street Queen St is closed off to through traffic………

and the public are welcome to wander up and down the sidewalks…………

taking in some musical entertainment at the same time.

In typical Nelson fashion….the weather was fine, and sunny….

and as usual the clouds stuck to the hills…and left the plains free to bath in the shine.

the Fish Car?

….is a local advertising medium used by the Aquarium over at Port Mapua.

Certainly noticeable around town, even if firstly by eagle eyed youngsters.

One of Nelsons little secrets……

Today was another day for the petrol-heads.

Yesterday Nelson closed off a few streets down at the Port and held the annual Port Nelson Street Races. (motorcycle only)

That was backed up by a series of evening / night Midget & Stockcar races at the Tahuna Beach Holiday Camp Raceway last night.

Today out at Rabbit Island (centre left of photo above) from 3pm………

on the main front beach (late starting time because of consideration for the local tides) it was the Morley Honda Beach Races.

So the secret…………do you recognise this above?

Ok what about this, then?

Well its on Redwood Road, the one and only approach road to Rabbit Island, so in summer months, you won’t be able to miss this “ole school” yellow bus….located just off the road behind the old Triumph Herald

It makes the meanest, and nicest real fruit ice creams this side of…….

At just NZD$3 with a waffle cone they are reasonably priced too.

Disclaimer – no I do not know the person, haven’t a clue who it is, but each Summer the yellow bus opens up to serve the best strawberry, raspberry and my favourite….boysenberry real fruit ice creams I’ve ever tasted.

Just thought you’d like to know if you’re in the region.

PS just in case you haven’t had all the racing you desire, Tasman Speed Week continues for a few more days yet…….more details over at the Nelson Motorcycle Club webpage here.

Delightful Morning scene

Near this peaceful spot

Ask these little fellas if they know a full year has just come to an end

….and see what they think….

Hmmm….I thought so.

Did someone have a great meal….

on Saturday night or what?

You make your own mind up!

NZD$60m Taxi visits Nelson again New Years Day…

….but with the meter running……………..it is only on the tarmac……………….

for a short time between arriving and then departing. (a little over 50 minutes all up)

Same procedure the owners followed the other day.

In fact in its little world this beauty only shares its space with a few others, just 4 to be precise……..as Wikipedia say;

The Global Express can fly intercontinental ranges without refueling (e.g. New York–Tokyo) or between most two points in the world with only one stop. In this class the Global Express competes with the Airbus Corporate Jet, Boeing Business Jet, Dassault Falcon 7X and Gulfstream G550.

There’s actually a couple for sale over at Jameslist – so you can buy your own one once you’ve won 2 or 3 Lotto’s.

Kiwis do like to be first….

Guess its something about being the first country in the world to see the start of each day……or something like that.

Still lets not pass up an opportunity.

I’m here to report to you that the first picket line of the new decade, of 2011 happened in Auckland early this morning, the 1st Jan 2011.

Though must admit one of the protesters certainly doesn’t seem to be unexcited about the prospect….maybe she was watching the fireworks off Auckland’s Skytower?