RUBY BAY

 MONDAY, 28th October.

At 6.10a.m., this was the scene from our front verandah, so we weren't going anywhere for a while.  We weren't in any hurry so had a leisurely breakfast, showers etc. and waited for the fog to lift.

an hour later we could see a little more clearly

and then the rain came but we set off at 9 o'clock and hoped it would not come with us, but it did!  Half an hour after leaving, we had our first view of Havelock  across the water

and soon after, crossed over the bridge into the town, where we were able to park the car right outside the bakery/cafe so didn't get wet getting out of the car and into the cafe.  

The cafe was doing a roaring trade with about 8 or 9 bikers, (all but one of whom must have been well over 6 feet tall and in their sixties) having breakfast, all other tables were occupied and locals and passers by were calling in for take aways.  We had excellent coffee and a spinach/ricotta roll before continuing on through the mountains, taking only a few photos along the journey because of the rain, the limited stopping places and the wriggly roads, arriving in Nelson at a little after 11.00a.m.

In Nelson, we visited a supermarket and bought a few supplies before driving to our destination via vineyards

and the town of Mapua

and as the sun had come out, we strolled around for about 90 minutes, stopping for a 'pottle' of kumara chips, 

then headed off to our accommodation for the next two nights

and after being shown around by our host Peter, we enjoyed a wander around the lovely gardens

Feel the serenity!