Rest time in Nelson

We have spent a lovely morning in Singapore, wandering around Chinatown, but more about that later.

It is back to New Zealand again where we spent the last few days at Margaret and Gordon's home in Nelson.  They were mostly rest days, as we knew we were in for a busy time in Melbourne and Singapore plus the long flights back to the United Kingdom.

We visited Neville and Maia also, and spent time catching up on all their news.  We also did a little shopping, and had coffee in the centre of Nelson.   But I spent a considerable amount of time lying on the outdoor couch reading my book, and snoozing a little.

The weather continued to be gloriously fine, even a little hot at times.

We experienced the most beautiful sunset one night, a prediction of a hot day to follow. 

The main street in Nelson city, with the cathedral in the background.

Margaret lives by Isel Park, where there is a beautiful old stately home.  On a Thursday evening, during the summer months, a food and craft fair is held which is very popular.   So for dinner on the Thursday night we ate freshly made bacon burgers.  Delicious.  Walter and I also looked around the house, and learnt about the history of the park.

The driveway into Isel House.

The stream,

with a little footbridge over it.  A beautiful parkland setting.   There is also a garden cafe behind Isel House, which serves excellent coffee.

Children playing cricket on a Saturday afternoon.

On the Sunday, we drove to Mapua, in order to have a fish and chip lunch, which always tasts better when wrapped in paper.  Walter decided to have a toasted sandwich instead, which he ordered from the cafe in the new building.

Mapua has had a makeover.  Where once there was a burnt out aquarium and old fishing sheds, there are now very upmarket buildings, with two micro breweries, a cafe and an ice cream shop.  Behind the building, there are existing shops and another cafe.  It is now a very busy place.

The original fish restaurant, fish and chip shop and cafe on the wharf at Mapua.

Children jumping from the wharf.  Once in the water they float down the river to the wooden ladder.  A very fast flowing river too.

Looking out to the mouth of the river.  Rabbit Island is on the left in the photograph.

Walter and I posing in front of the wharf.

And we could not resist having our last ice creams.   Huge ones too.  Margaret and I had real fruit ones.  It was pure glutony as we were were very full after our fish and chip lunch.

On the Monday we said our reluctant goodbyes to Gordon and Margaret and sadly returned to Christchurch, so that we could catch our flight to Melbourne that evening.