Back down through Blenheim to pick up the fast road northwest rather than the slower scenic drive, though this route is mighty scenic!
You can see the harvesting season is imminent, though no machinery spotted on the vines yet.
North through Havelock. A much smaller town than expected. Pretty much just a marina full of mussels and a pier…..
The road then heads east to Pelorus Bridge with a worthwhile coffee stop. A fab coffee and so was the pie!
A very scenic pine forest drive with many lorries full of logs, through Nelson, and stumbled on a cute little public rose garden.
Further north a few more vineyards, and now we also have apple orchards and hops, then up and over Tākaka Hill with amazing views over Nelson and then West.
Tākaka, a small town west of Abel Tasman National Park in the huge sweeping bay of Golden Bay.
Te Waikoropupū Springs a little out of town are the largest freshwater springs in New Zealand, the largest cold water springs in the Southern Hemisphere and contain some of the clearest water ever measured.
Of course, a silver fern.
A lovely room for a motel, with a bath under the stars!
Well, the clouds and the rain too, but still really lovely.
A lovely meal first in Dada’s in town. No, we didn’t choose it because of the name! The walking route in to town was along the old tramway.
The motel even had their own little gloworm cave and supply of avocado!
Goodnight!
Heather and Mark's travel blog 
That bath was my idea of heaven. xx
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