Blenheim again, Awatere/Seddon, Marfells Beach.

December 4th 2018

After a lovely drive from Nelson to Blenheim, initially over the steepish windy hills, and then through the picturesque Rai Valley, we headed again for the Waterlea Race Course where NZMCA members can stay for $10 a night. We picked a scenic spot right between the Racecourse and the 9 hole golf course so we had views from each side of the bus. The horses come out early in the morning to train and at first you wonder what the pounding noise is when you awaken. Then on the other side we could watch the golfers teeing off.

After breakfast we walked into town to wander through the huge market that was being held in all the streets in the centre. Lots of people and diverse stalls with the sun beaming down - it was a very hot, sunny day.

It was then time to head down the coast, our first stop being the Riverlands Truck stop where we needed to fill up with water, the race course having had a private function on which prevented access to the tap, apart from the fact that we needed another size of hose fitting which necessitated a trip to Len's favourite shop, Bunnings.

Friends had suggested we visit Peter Yealands vineyard as they have an interesting "white road" scenic drive through the immaculately maintained large property.

We thought we could just "do it" but after driving for a few minutes from the cellar door we come across a large sign saying that permission must be gained before proceeding. I was all for just continuing on but then our consciences kicked in and we decided we should turn around, which we did. After all our bus is rather conspicuous- you can't just sneak around in it! However we got a good feel for the extremely well kept and well planted vineyard. There seems to have been a phenomenal  expansion of the wine growing area in Malborough in recent years. Beautiful vineyards stretch in every direction.

Mid afternoon we arrived at the 9 hole Awatere golf course at Seddon - right by the main road on the right before you get into tiny Seddon but we missed it and had to retrace our steps. Being Saturday it was Club Day and both 9 and 18 holers  were playing, but not very many so we were able to tag along behind. Quite an interesting 9 hole course and well maintained - trees which didn't trouble us too much, some humps and dips and some bunkers. The tees for the second nine were the same as the first so we easily knew our way round after the first nine.

What a shot!

We had checked with some players before we started whether it was OK for us to stay the night in the carpark and it was. Being close to the road and the railway line meant our sleep was punctuated by trucks, cars and trains but that doesn't happen too often as we can just move on!

Marfell's Beach with it's DOC campsite was not far away so we were there well before lunch the next day.

What a fabulous spot with the camp stretching right along the edge of the beach with trees and shrubs as well as toilets and showers for those who need them. We found ourselves a nice site with great views and good access onto the beach next to the elderly camp manager's caravan and tent.
The landscape of the area will have changed a lot since the huge and complex 7.8 Kaikoura earthquake in 2016 as the sea bed with all it's mussels and other shellfish was lifted up by 1-2 metres.

We had a good walk down the beach fossicking amongst the mass of beautiful shells and rocks. I wish we had room to take a bucket load of shells home - there were so many I loved!
We could have done the 4 hour return walk to Cape Campbell which surprisingly is the Southernmost point of Cook Strait but the fossicking seemed like more fun.

Great to be lulled to sleep that night by the sound of the waves instead of the traffic!