Labour Weekend

A couple of weeks ago we had arranged with Paul & Amanda Walters to spend Labour Weekend with them at Mapua. So on Thursday night we took the rig over - so when we finished work on Friday, all we needed to do was get some groceries, jump in the car and go.

When we arrived on Thursday evening, we looked for a site that would have enough space for Amanda & Paul to park nearby as well (they'd told us they wouldn't be arriving from Wellington until Friday). 
However, we were in for an awesome surprise. When we headed to the site we've stayed at a few times before, there were already two other rigs parked there. One rig was 'Changing Places' (the Walter's). And another very familiar fifth wheel named 'Out There' was parked alongside them.

'Out There' is an Ultima 5th wheel, owned by David & Shellie Evans. We've followed the adventures of their experiences of living on the road via Shellie's blog 'Two Go Tiki Touring' for over a year. Shellie is an amazing photographer and well known in the NZMCA community. She regularly writes articles for 'The Motor Caravanner' magazine and has many of her photos published.

I've wanted to meet The Evans' for a long time. So I was over the moon to see them parked up where we were to be staying for Labour Weekend.

Us on the left, Shellie & David (centre) and Paul & Amanda on the right.

We arrived later than we thought on Friday = missed 'Happy Hour'. We had dinner and then snuggled down for the night.

On Saturday morning I got up to take the dogs for a walk along the beach at Ruby Bay. As usual Paddy swam, Oakly dug holes and Boo chased birds + got wet + rolled in the sand. 

That evening, we had a pot luck dinner, which was delicious. The guys decided to watch the rugby and that's when we discovered we couldn't get Prime. And that led to David offering to sort the T.V. out for us so all the channels would be in the right order. Yay!

The next morning Bernie took the dogs off for their walk. And I slept in. It was a beaut day again so we decided once we got a few things in Motueka that we'd park up and relax.

In the afternoon Bill & Mimi, Graeme & Rachel, Shellie & David, Amanda & Paul and Bernie & I had 'Happy Hour'.

David & Shellie Evans

Rachel & Graeme

Amanda & Paul Walters (Paul must of been deep in thought)

Sunday it was forecast to rain, but luckily we woke to another nice day. It wasn't as sunny as the previous two days, but it was still mild and warm. I took the dogs along Ruby Bay Beach for a walk.

These large boulders have been placed between the sea and the properties backing onto the beach to hold back the effects of global warming.

After walking along the beach, I headed out to a pond I had seen that had great reflections of weeping willows. However, when I downloaded the photos I realised I must have taken them on some random setting = Big fail.

The only evidence I had of the pond, was this colourful duck.

Then I took a back road to Mapua, amongst apple orchards.

Then it was time to pack up and head back to reality.

Bethany Park Camp

We had heard lots of positive comments about Bethany Park Camp in Kaiteriteri. So I drove over to take a look. And, it really did look impressive. 
It's only a kilometres walk to Kaiteriteri Beach. And dogs are allowed (except during the peak months of Dec/Jan).
There were lots of trees around for shade and the area was large and flat. 

While I was in the Kaiteriteri area I went for a walk along the beach, and the golden sand seemed to pop out.

The next stop was 'Split Apple Rock'. 

And, then to finish the tiki tour ... a visit to 'The Source of the Riwaka'.

Heading Home

We left Blenheim basking in sunshine and headed home running into rain coming over the Whangamoas. The truck ran well and the dogs were great company for me as I followed behind.

Taylor Dam

Taylor Dam, 6 km's out of Blenheim is beautiful. There is a place to camp on the left as you drive in and although it looks like there are many great spots near the lake, you can't actually camp there.
The lake is teeming with bird life. 

The place available to camp is to the left where you can see a camper van. The road you can see circles the pond.

There were lots of swans with their young ones enjoying the pond. The male swan, called the cob, helps the female, known as a pen, to look after their babies, called cygnets until they are a year old. The young don’t spend more than one day in the nest once they hatch. If the pen is still brooding eggs, the cob will take care of any cygnets that have already hatched, leading them directly to the water. Though they can swim from birth, cygnets may sometimes ride on the backs of their parents or take shelter under their wings until they are old enough to strike out on their own.

It is normal for swans to swim with one leg tucked onto their back. People are often concerned that the leg is broken or deformed but the swan is perfectly fine. 

Swans will often stretch one of their legs whilst swimming and instead of putting it in the water, they will tuck it up onto their back. 

It has been suggested that this behaviour may play a role in helping to regulate the body temperature of the bird. The legs and feet are the only part of the swan not covered in feathers so the blood vessels are in closer contact with the air. The large surface area of the webbed foot makes it easier for heat to be transferred from the body to the air, cooling the swan. This heat exchange could also work the other way, with the feet absorbing heat from the air to warm the bird.  

The Taylor Dam is a flood protection dam and recreational reserve located to the south west of Blenheim.

Most of the year, the Taylor River only has a modest flow, and even dries up over sections of its course, however it can rise very rapidly during heavy rain. As a result, Blenheim was flooded in numerous occasions, and this possibly contributed to being named The Beaver, or Beavertown. 

In March 1963 the Marlborough Catchment Board began planning for the construction of the Taylor Dam and work took place between 1964-1965 as flood protection for Blenheim. Officially opened on 30th November 1965, the structure is the largest earth flood protection dam in New Zealand. 

Behind the dam, a small lake has formed, and provides an important habitat for waterfowl, with black swans, coots, mallard ducks, shags and other species present. Eels are also present in the lake, and brown trout have been released in the past.

Picnic tables are provided at various locations in the reserve and swings and toilet facilities are available in the north west corner of the reserve. 

Dogs are permitted at the Taylor Dam provided they are kept on a leash.

Numerous large trees are planted around the lake, providing shade in summer, although most of the trees are introduced rather than native species. Various species of oak, pine, and willow are among those present. An area of native shrubs is located near the toilets.

To the south, upstream from the dam itself is a large flat area with mature pine trees a few minutes walk from the end of the vehicle track around the dam. This area is the former Omaka Domain recreation reserve.

To the north, the Taylor Dam reserve connects with the Taylor River Reserve which provides a walking and cycleway that extends to Riverside Park in central Blenheim.

Blenheim or Takaka

The weather was the deciding factor between Takaka or Blenheim. Golden Bay was forecast for rain and Marlborough was forecast for sunshine. So Blenheim it was!

The truck flew over the Wangamoas without any problem.





The truck and rig going across the Pelorus Bridge.











And we parked at Retas again in Dillions Point Road. Unhitching and setting up was much easier. Phew, each time we do it, it seems better. The new dog enclosure is great. It’s easy to assemble and big enough to put up into any shape.

Looking across the paddock at Retas place where we are parked.

We met a guy called Don Kendall who is in the Motorhome Friends facebook group, he is staying here as well. He recommended another place at Springcreek that looked nice to stay. So we took a drive out there to check it out.

What a lovely place. We met the guy, Winston, who owns it. Winston and his wife, Robyn were from Te Anau and 18 months ago bought some land at Springcreek. They live on the land in their bus. Since they have been there they've planted 20 acres in grapes, which Peter Yealand harvests. The whole 20 acres can be picked in 3 hours! When it’s time for pruning Winston, employs a contractor who comes along with 30 guys and in a day the whole lot is pruned.

It's named ‘Danfam Vineyard’ and beside the vines, is a large paddock, where self contained campers are able to stay. The Wairau River runs alongside the paddock, which is popular for whitebaiters and is also used for rowers. There’s a whitebait stand available along with a net for guests to use. 

Here's a novel use for an old fridge. It's been recycled and is now used as a book exchange.








Next, we headed out to Seddon so we could go to Yealand’s Winery. We’d done the self directed tour at the beginning of the year but I was so impressed with it I wanted to go back and see it again. I’m always surprised at the amount of grapes being grown. Rows and rows and rows! 
The ponds around the vineyard had lots of birdlife.

Great view from the end of vineyard. If you look carefully you can see the North Island.

Looking out at Cape Campbell Lighthouse. It was windy and the weather was closing in so we didn’t sick around too long.

The weather cleared so we took the dogs for an evening walk.

Oakly had to be carried back because his foot is still tender after he slipped off the deck back at home last weekend. He caught his dew claw and ripped it. So he’s not feeling 100%.