after the last supper!

The final farewell :(

Fran and Rich caught in the act...

Jonny and Rich do their Morecome and Wise impression!

an ever popular passtime of jumping off the Kuratau jetty, Rich trys the "walking on water" trick; momentary success!

Rocky proves his Scottish heritage by spending a record ten(!) minutes in the water without the use of neoprene, goose fat or whiskey. Well done Rich, have you warmed up yet?

head off to the Crystal Pool again where Alex braves the water whilst I mess up the photography!

the kids do their first farewell as we leave home in Wanganui to head up towards Taupo

back over The Cooks Straits to Wellington and home

finished the day with burgers and a paddle at Ruby Bay

water rat!

..stopped for a dip in the mountain stream, an idyllic spot and crystal clear water(if a tad chilly)

Jax, deep in thought(?!)

Jonny and Rocky(Rich), nice colour combination!!

Group photo of the kids at Wainui Falls.

The Koru, iconic New Zealand/Maori symbol. No relation!

following day and a drive back into the Abel Tasman park and over the top of Takaka Hill and along the coast to Wainui Falls, and Alex heads off...

The end of a great day,

Please add your own caption for this one!!!!...

The "tongue team"!~

kitting up for the afternoons fun..

A quick swim in a lagoon after lunch and before the afternoons kayaking.

Alex as Super-beach-towel-man!!

..the boys and the girls do their bush walk in their own ways..

some wood(sic) found on Tonga Bay Beach before the off!

Day trip through part of the Abel Tasman Nat Park, we walked the morning and then kayaked in the afternoon. Started the day from Tonga Bay (above). An absolutely awesome day......

Wood cut of the Lewis Pass by Holly Lovell-Smith bought by Fran and Rich and is now adorning some wall somewhere in cold and wet Leicester!

Lewis Pass

From Hanmer we pootled across towards the West Coast hitting Murchison and Buller Gorge via The Lewis Pass. Beautiful drive, beautiful weather. Ended up in Stoke!! Fairly unatractive town on the outskirts of Nelson at the top of the South Island, but a great gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park, one almighty big play ground.