Mapua Chalets

The prices took a short holiday to Kaikoura and went whale watching.

WOW

We saw 4 sperm whales and a few albatross.

Sea legs are advisable on this trip!!

We joined the Decks and the Dossmanns for another great quad biking trip. This time we went up the Matai Valley at the back of Nelson to have a picnic lunch by the river before Pelorus.

Another chance for a quick swim!!

The track was rough but very exciting. Not for the faint hearted.!!

We all decided to take a dip into the icy waters of the Crystal Pool near Riwaka. Wow – a few seconds is enough!!

We took a weekend get away to Marahau (The entrance to Abel Tasman national park) We stayed in the Barn campsite (can definitely recommend it) and with such a short walk to the beach we spent most of the time playing in the water.

Even Honey was keen to have a surf!!

Recently Karen was fortunate enough to take a flight over Abel Tasman. She took off at Motueka airport and spent the next hour and a half marvelling our local national park from an elevated view!

We flew over the park and then along Golden Bay. We briefly flew down the the West Coast and back flying above the Wainui Inlet. The next sight was the Fairwell Spit before flighing home to Motueka.

I t was a once in a lifetime experience and truly AWESOME!!

Ben , Hannah and Dylan talking to the friendly horse at the entrance to our chalets.

Mapua Glow Girls, dressed in multi-coloured tutus, waded through the mud in true tinkerbell style. Unfortunately the weather was against us from the start and as the rain came down the mud track got even slippier. The weather didn’t manage to dampen the spirits of any of the walkers.

The emotions at the start of the event when survivors and caregivers walked the first lap inspired everyone through the night. We took it in turns to walk in 2′s to keep the baton going, returning to our team tent during breaks. The glow girls tent chattered and laughed through the night – topics of conversations very varied and top secret (especially Sue’s contribution to the conversation!)

We all walked the final lap just as the sun was coming up and it felt that because of what we had all achieved through the night there was a renewed hope rising with the dawning of the new day.

Andy and Ben had a father and son kayak trip with a camp overnight. They started the trip in Ruby Bay with Ed Rimmer and Oscar and paddled a short way to McKee Domain.

They set up the fishing lines in the hope to catch some fish on the way.

They had a great night which included a short trek through the bush , hunting for glow bugs.

Nelson’s Opera in the Park really was a ‘Once in a Lifetime Experience’. Dame Kiri te Kanawa, one of the world’s best loved and respected sopranos, along with Jonathan Lemalu, (A bass baritone with a commanding presence on stage and a voice that is earning him huge accolades from audiences and critics world-wide.), Simon O’Neill (A talented tenor with engagements as far ahead as La Scala in 2012), Helen Medlyn (New Zealand’s favourite mezzo was fantastic too). Along with Vector Wellington Orchestra – Conductor Marc Tadd. Amazing.

We were so fortunate to experience and enjoy a world class concert in the relaxed setting of Nelsons Trafalgar Park.

The evening began with a picnic whilst we waited for the show to begin. And wow what a show it was. Andy and I are now hooked on Opera!

The fireworks were a brilliant finale to finish off a magical evening.