Golden Bay is a part of New Zealand that even New Zealanders seem to have forgotten about. South Island top left. It's not on a main highway and the only way in is over a big hill with winding roads so it's well off everyone's beaten track. It has its own micro climate thanks to the protection of Farewell Spit, a long thin piece of land that sticks out and calms the waters of the Golden Bay beaches.
We stayed in Pohara, a small settlement with a couple of good cafes (essential – sleep deprivation has driven me to a fearsome caffeine habit!) and a sprawling campsite right on the beach. We camped with Chris and Rachel, friends of mine from Wellington (and London a few years ago). It was great to see them and have a change of dynamic to the holiday. Lovely to chat with Rachel. It doesn't matter how long it's been since we saw each other, it always seems like yesterday.
We lazed about and had a few adventures too – see Fran's bit on the Abel Tasman National Park daytrip. One of my fave spots was Pupu Springs (OK Jay, stop laughing!), a lovely natural spring with beautiful clear blue water (see pic).
Jay loved the beach and got a new bucket and spade to play with. It's brilliant to see him jumping in and out of the waves and run this way and that. Fran takes him in for a swim (too cold for me I'm afraid) and he loves it. Theo is allowed to grub about a bit in the sand. He gets very excited, legs and arms flapping wildly as he decides what to eat first – hmm sand, sticks, seaweed or rotting prawn?
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