Stuck Again and another year passes by :)

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/4500399/Flooding-worst-in-150-years
link for one of the manynews articles regarding the flooding and storm that is the culprit for our being stranded again

At Jesters Cafe - great coffee and fun west of Nelson



Abbey discovered the joys of iced chocolates at Jesters



"Shoot" that water's cold!! Rabbit Island, Nelson




Rabbit Island - looking west  towards Mapua




Alex a little anxious about leaving for his adventure on the Scout Jamboree




The stormy skies and wild sea after the storm

Well here we are post-Christmas and finding ourselves stuck again.  This time we are unable to get to our planned holiday venue of Penzance in Tennyson Inlet in the Marlborough Sounds.  Just after we arrived in Nelson it " bucketed" down, with high winds and the worse flooding that the area has seen for many years.  Unfortunately the worst hit areas were West of us in Golden Bay and East of here at Rai Valley - just where we were heading.  Three days later the road is still blocked and we find ourselves stuck in Nelson and enjoying the hospitality of Richard's cousin Robbie and his wife Lynn.  It is looking unlikely that we are going to be able get there this year - so no kayaking for us this year.  Christmas in the Mabon House was very quiet with just Mum and Dad there for the day.  We ate far too much food, and drunk too much alcohol, but enjoyed the more chilled atmosphere.  There are no pictures to share as everyone was too busy enjoying their presents and each others company.  On the 27th we farwelled Alex as he left for his big adventure attending the Scout Jamboree in Hamilton for three weeks.  The scouts had the misfortune of crossing Cook Straight during the storm - no doubt there were a few sea sick scouts.  Alex returns to Oamaru on Jauary 14th as the troup is having a short holiday sight seeing on the way home.  After we said our goodbyes to Alex we drove to Nelson through gale force winds, fully intending to travel to the Sounds the next day.  This is where it has all turned to custard.

Anyway we are trying to make the best of our holiday and have enjoyed two days of lovely beach weather.  There is a little bit of sunburn happening as we have all forgotten just how quickly that you burn up here.   The beach is just as magic as ever, but the water is cool and not really warm enough to swim in.

Any way the Mabon adventures continue - where nothing quite ever goes to plan  All the very best for 2011, and may you have a great year full of hapiness, laughter and joy.