We (heart) Nelson, NZ

Friday, 18 December

We love Nelson! Were it not so far from friends and family, we could easily live here.

Nelson has a similar feel to Santa Barbara. People are oh-so-friendly! And, it's just over the mountains from the Marlborough wine country.

There is wonderful street art, in addition to the outdoor cafes, trees and the surround of mountains.

Palm Tree made of metal in front of Art Deco building

We had a lovely dinner at Ford's Restaurant where we sat at the bar and had tapas.

Ned had to have an Emerson's beer!

Saturday, 19 December

Computer crash! ): After spending a few hours online with Tom at Apple  (thankful that I brought my iPad in addition to the laptop!), we went out to the Saturday market. I was too distraught to take any photos. Despite the lack of photographic evidence, it is a lovely local weekly happening.

We then went to South Tec NZ, and Paul fixed the computer problem in less than 2 minutes. As we had also spent the morning doing laundry, we now had clean clothes and a working laptop. Therefore, off we went!

Ned called in a marker: The Founders Heritage Park http://www.founderspark.co.nz/

We walked the 30 minutes through lots of different neighborhoods. It really gave us a good sense of the community.

Ned's marker was very informative and entry fee was a mere $5NZ for him, $7NZ for me.

Merriman Bus Line

 

Bristol Freighter, ca. 1952

The Bristol Freighter, known in its heyday as the Merchant Buccaneer, was the last of the Bristol model freighters flying in the Straits Air Freight Express (SAFE) Fleet. We were able to climb into the body of the plane and view the cockpit. Most amazing is the clamshell nose into which cargo was loaded. This workhorse plane flew its first voyage in 1952, its last in 1986. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Freighter

Of course, we had to have lunch at the Founders Brew Pub on the site. Great family story! http://foundersbrewery.co.nz/brewery/cafe-bar.html

Ned studying the beer notes

The labels also tell a story. http://foundersbrewery.co.nz/brewery/range.html

We walked back to Cedar Grove Motel, regrouped then took another stroll through town. At the end of Trafalgar Street is the Cathedral, the Cathedral Steps - a meeting place since the turn of the previous century.

Cathedral  and Cathedral Steps

Dinner was at Cafe Affair on Trafalgar Street. 

Ned's Warm Lamb Salad