All In A Day's Walk

Today I finished work before lunch and so we decided to take a walk into town and along the waterfront, hoping to find a good place for a date scone (for me) and coffee (for Marlene).

Off we went, down the hill, through the Japanese Gardens, along a pathway beside the highway, across the Maitai river, and eventually on to Wakefield Quay.  We found a few places that were more restaurants than cafes (certainly their prices and selections suggested so), but nowhere that served the elusive date scone and coffee.

So....we kept walking, all the way to Tahunanui Beach!  Still no sign of a date scone, but Marlene did get her coffee fix and we snacked on the cheese, cashews, banana and apples that she miraculously pulled from her backpack.

We were going to take the bus back to Nelson, but we would have to wait for an hour, so we decided that we could walk back.  But this time, Jim suggested going over the hill rather than around the waterfront.  I am still not sure if that was smart (a shorter walk) or stupid (quite a climb), but we did it.

This first photo is Tahunanui Beach from Bisley Avenue.  As you can see, we had climbed quite a way from sea level.






We continued walking uphill and took this second photo from a lookout on Princes Drive, which was almost at the highest point on our walk, and had some spectacular views down into Nelson Harbour..

Parking is at a premium in several New Zealand cities, especially those built on hills, but I certainly don't envy this guy's parking space - down hill from the road, up the ramp onto the platform, and not a railing or barrier in sight.  If you don't stop quick enough, you drive right into your house below.

We found several hidden walkways along the route, linking one street to another below or above it, and so we weren't on the road all of the time.  Thankfully our gamble paid off and we arrived back in Nelson at Yello Cafe, still hoping for that date scone.  It was late in the afternoon, and so they were sold out, but we did enjoy a delicious cheese scone before buying a few groceries and heading home.

Do you remember a week ago I was moaning about the walk up the hill laden with groceries and having to have 3 or 4 stops on the way up?  Well we have come a long way in a week, and can now walk up the hill, laden with groceries, without stopping.  Yeah!!

So I feel like I have walked 500 miles, I couldn't walk 500 more, and I darn near fell down at the door, but I did it.

Tomorrow is the Farmer's Market, so it will be another adventurous day in Nelson.