Nelson and the surrounds

We were expecting rain today (again) but got a lovely sunny day instead which was a blessing. After a leisurely breakfast we headed off to see what Nelson had to offer. So we went to the new Chinese Gardens which were beautiful - new and really well done, then the Queens Gardens next door which are one hundred years old and just wonderful. Plenty of ducks and bird life, including grey herons, white headed shags and lots of the sweet little blackbirds, sparrows and hedge sparrows.




Then to the Suter Gallery which had a good array of art from the region. It was good to see a wide range of media too and pottery. The art ranged from exquisite to pretty ordinary but it was lovely to see it all. We stopped here for an excellent lunch - very vego friendly so Phil was happy.
We also visited the Japanese Gardens and while a few repairs and a bit of work was needed to bring it up to scratch again it was a lovely garden which had a good layout and a great lot of trees, particularly pine trees.

We then headed to the beach and enjoyed a walk along the sand, I picked up shells and Phil took some photos - noteably one of a log which was sprouting new growth and the other of fungi growing in the sand - never seen that before.......

We headed back to the hotel where I began to paint and I had some fun with the bits I brought back form the beach. Phil went to get supplies - namely wine and chocolate.....

Chris rang late in the afternoon and we arranged to have dinner with her at the Woodfire Pizza Barn nearby. Chris and I shared a pizza and Phil had a vego friendly one - we had a glass of Nelsons best and enjoyed catching up with Chris - can I really be 17 years since I saw her last - at Sonya and Ross's wedding - surely not!

We are off to Hamner Springs tomorrow and it is a big drive - looking forward to getting there and some hopefully spectacular scenery on the way. Love this place!