Nelson & The Centre of NZ

On Rosie's first tent birthday (25th total birthday) we drove to Nelson and parked in the city. It was Sunday so free parking. We walked along the river and then to the centre of NZ as featured in the lonely planet.
It was a hot day and the lonely planet failed to mention that the centre of NZ was up a massive hill. We were hot and tired by the time we had completed the walk.

25 Today!

View from the Centre of NZ

For Rosie's birthday lunch we drove a couple of km out of the city to Smuggler's pub. Rosie had a giant chicken burrito and I had catch of the day (snapper) on a salmon fishcake. I had a small cider and Rosie had a lemon crush. It was all delicious.

After lunch we had to have a little lie down by the river and then we could face the task of shopping for trail food for our Abel Tasman walk in two days, which we did in countdown. We like Countdown the best, so far we didn't like Pak n save. (Later in the trip New World became our favourite)!
Rosie got a new water bottle as a birthday treat for herself. We also went to the outdoor stores to look for gas and a pillow for Rosie but before we could make up our minds what to buy the camping store we had decided on closed, it was 3pm!

We drove back to our campsite at Pelorus Bridge to relax lying on the grass. We tried by the river but there were too many flies.
 The next day we passed through Nelson again to pick up the gas and pillow. We also got some water purification tablets.

Beach at Rabbit Island

We stopped at Rabbit Island for a quick walk and snack break. Then we continued on to our campsite in Marahau at the start of the Abel Tasman track. We did the first laundry of the trip and filled up the whole washing line with it. In the afternoon we packed up all our food for the trail and charged everything we want to take.

Watch out for that duck....

Rosie got sunburned legs because she'd worn shorts for the first time  and I sat in duck poo. We also walked the first part of the trail as a little taster and Rosie took pictures of the signs in case we are too tired carrying the backpacks to do it tomorrow.

Start of the track we'll be walking tomorrow