Every now and then….

you get one of those “life moments” where you think….

Perhaps this was not a good idea to park my 2010 model vehicle next to this car that’s about 9 inches away in the underground carpark at The Sands in Tahuna?

But then again….maybe I’m wrong…..and its just a bad paint job?

Januarys Big Air Day in Nelson is fast approaching…

…………and all travellers to the Nelson region are invited….one week today.

Herewith is that one weeks advance notice.

The date will be 20th 23rd Jan 2011.

Annually in January, (here on the 20th 23rd Jan 2011) Nelson continues its involvement with aerial pursuits…………with New Zealands longest running Kite Festival.

 

A slightly sombre mood will be there amongst the local kite boarders who lost one of their own just this past December..…just north of Nelson.

Many of the most exciting sports today do now involve an element of danger.

This must be tempered with the right training, and education.

Education is vital because it adds an extra “caution” element to that original training….and one never knows when one will call on that.

All in all…..just one of the “big air” adventures available locally.

Cloudy skies slightly dampened last years event….but rest assured no one left unhappy.

CAUTION: for my 50 cents worth of advice the photo above illustrates something very important about the Kite Festival.

That is……the very close proximity of the 100km/h speed zone.

Please BE CAREFUL – and LOOK OUT for other vehicles because NO DOUBT they will appear on your horizon/radar VERY QUICKLY.

All I’m asking is to please exercise EXTRA CAUTION and be mindful there will be plenty of young whipper snippers around…..and as is want to be at that age……they aren’t always that predicable!

I’m pretty sure that I can say here and now…..…that I won’t be the only one there on the day with my camera. I’d say it would be practically impossible to not……. considering the price of digital cameras I saw in the Boxing Day sales locally.

And just in case you were wondering, in a “why” sort of way……one of the reasons that the festival has been so lucky…..(touch wood)……to always have some manner of breeze, is that its location is right next to Tasman Bay, and the sea breezes are constantly blow is all that’s required this time of year.

What is great about this photo…

…….is not always the size of the boat ship…..and yes the one in the background is definitely bigger.

No what’s fabulous to see is the responsibility of the captain in the smaller ship in front and seeing that his “charges” are outfitted accordingly.

From me to you……..massive pat on the back to that person.

Seafarers are a tough bunch…

but lets never……..ever forget the part they have to play in our own daily life.

Monuments like this should make any sane person take stock of their surroundings……

…..and at the least take that extra 25 ~ 30 seconds out of their day to realise fully the sacrifices that others have made before them.

Unfortunately many times that comes with a casuality count………

…….lets just not ever forget that is the cost of what happens out there on the open ocean.

These few items down at Wakefield Quay always remind me of that….and that’s a good thing.

Down at Tahunanui Beach….

there are a couple of less obvious places to visit. Yes there’s Natureland which for want of a better term….is as close as we have to a “zoo” in Nelson.

Obviously there’s the Skating Rink, the water slides, the usual Putt Putt golf, the Go-Karts, etc.

However over on the south eastern side of the general vicinity we have an area that falls under what locals refer to as, the modellers pond.

Its not just for a ponds sake though because that implies things that go on water.

No probs because we have them also…..

and in abundance.

But no…its mainly because of the model railway….

….no not your standard home sized one I’m talking about here

….this is of the size that requires its own station…”Sun City” is its obvious name….

because where else can the paying passengers get on and off “officially.”

In summer its always a busy spot.

Why?

well I suspect just because its just a lot of fun.

Well certainly from a younger person point of view it is.

Oh…… I did mention the rides didn’t I?

You pays your $150 and….

for the first time in 2-3 years or so you decide to wear your waterproof watch when you go for a swim……..

after all it says 100m water resistant……and I suspect I was all of about 1 to 1.5m underwater in the river…….

and not for long perhaps….overall 3-4 minutes…but that’s when you find out the truth.

In the real estate industry a “water feature” is often seen as a major benefit to a property. Just that…………on your own hand…..and within/inside your own watch, it doesn’t have quite the same excitement factor.

And who would have guessed it……it had a 12mth warranty….but I’ve had it for 2 years! Thanks Casio.

Never a nice sight to see……

in our local skies…………however if there is any consolation its that we

are only 40 –45 minutes flight time from Wellington, New Zealand’s capital.

Thoughfully…Nelson City Council…

acknowledges that there are many & varied interests when it comes to recreation in Nelson…..especially when it comes to the recreational fisherman fisherperson.

Some may go so far as to call it relaxation…but I digress.

The good news is that over the years…………….

and on behalf of considerable ratepayer expense…….locally fishermen have been well catered for.

So a great sense of “providors of the future” wave over any Nelsonian driving around the port this summer and seeing what local and travelling fisher-persons are doing….and of absolutely all age groups.

For me its exciting to see the involvement, enjoyment and excitement of younger folk. In this internet age, its still great to see that some parents are taking the time out to ensure their youngsters aren’t forgetting what nature is about.

Get them out there amongst it….

as early as you can…..

Its almost any parents catch phrase…….from the ole days when if someone you knew caught the measles …..then you;’d call a party at so and so’s home to ensure all your kids immune systems were maxed out at the same time.

From my childhood it was swimming….we had to be there and learn about it………I think….I was about 5 or 6. But that’s what you did.

Same for yachting…..get them out there amongst it “real early on.”

What’s fortunate and almost “lucky” about the Nelson scenario is that we are blessed with circumstances that encourage that.

Americas Cup 2016……bring it on.

I guess if there isn’t enough wind…

around, then adopting this tactic would still

allow you to get some fresh air and exercise while at the same time……

…….as an added bonus, partake in your own tourist trip…….

along the coast with no traffic jams.

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.