A Rainy Holiday Monday in Nelson

Today started with rain, which is forecast to continue until early tomorrow morning, heavy at times.  But then we are supposed to get at least a week without rain and temperatures in the mid-20s (I don't know if that is good or bad).

You might think that this means a day indoors, but not if you are travelling with Marlene.  The plan is to walk into town and go to the movies.

Yesterday we ventured out early, before the heat of the day, going up the hill, past the Centre of New Zealand marker, and down the other side into Branford Park.  There are many trails in the area, but the destinations are well signposted, so not much chance of getting lost.  From Branford Park we crossed the Maitai river and walked back down the trail on the other side, into the centre of town.  We saw cormorants and trout as we walked, and even a few humans.   The picture below is a deep swimming hole (Black Hole Park) that we passed along the way.

No walk would be complete without a stop at a local cafe.  New Zealand has a very strong cafe culture, and so there are lots to choose from.  We chose an outdoor cafe on Hardy Street and enjoyed a drink and a date scone after our morning hike.

New Zealand's Maori people do not sit on the same surface that they eat off (quite healthy really), so when you visit New Zealand avoid sitting on the top of the picnic tables or any other tables, as you will offend the locals.

This seagull seems to have missed the memo.

We then wandered around town, and did a little shopping, including buying us each a chocolate marshmellow easter egg (sorry there are no photos....we ate them, but trust me they are good).  Then we trudged back up the hill around 2 PM (in the heat of the day) and relaxed for the rest of the afternoon.

Once the heat was out of the sun, Marlene had me out walking again.  This time to a Japanese Garden that is just below where we are staying.  It was a very peaceful place.