Golden Bay

We're now in Golden Bay where we'll spend Christmas and staying in a Bach called Laidback lodge. Golden Bay is near Nelson and not too far from where we'll be spending our 6 weeks from the beggining of Feb until when we leave. We left
Wellington early this morning and got the inter Islander ferry to Picton in the South Island. We drove from there through Nelson which looks really lovely, on over Takaka 'hill' to Takaka and on to Onekaka where we'll be for the next few days. Takaka 'hill' is more like a small mountain range with curves in the road that would make the hardiest traveller retch but the view, if I wasn't so desperately trying to hang onto my lunch and was able to look out the window to admire it, was apparently spectacular. We decided to look in on the house we were going to be renting in feb and it is veeeery remote but in a good way. Lots and lots of countryside around it with cows grazing just outside the front veranda and a fantastic view all the way to the bay. I would describe the house itself as 'shabby chic' or maybe just shabby. We met a woman outside who is renting it at the moment and asked her what it was like inside. She said 'very basic' but assured us that there was running water.

Laidback Lodge is a group of three buildings with a garden and a deck and we are staying here with Catherine and her two friends. Matt and Emma have done a good scout around and decided that the best way for Santa Claus to get in is to leave one of the sliding glass doors unlocked. We went out for a walk this evening after dark to see thousands of glow worms that are one a wall up a grassy lane near here. They were amazing to look at and Emma said they looked like Christmas decorations. Sunny Nelson is living up to it's name and we had lovely weather here today and more good weather forecast. no photos yet but will update when I do.