02-02 Abel Tasman

Sunset at Torrent Bay
Sunset at Torrent Bay

02.-04.02.10, Abel Tasman Park

On Tuesday Mike drove Gill and I to the start of the walk. It runs along or near the coast past small bays and through forest with tree ferns. Jeffrey was waiting with the boat at Anchorage bay and we went on board, staying there to eat (he had all the food with him). We were then quite late walking across the sandy inlet (tide then out) to the Fernbank house at Torrent Bay. Jeff  brought the luggage across in the dingy. The house was very spacious for 2 since it can take up to 7. Next morning Gill and I continued the walk, now through jungle-like forest with lots of exotic vegetation. We had lunch and a swim at a beautiful beach and were picked up later by Jeff at another beach further on. There was some wind so that we could sail faster than the motor could have taken us back to Anchorage bay. Because of the planning required to be able to cross the inlets at low tide we missed out a short section which Gill had done before and started again at Arawoa, where Jeff could put us down on a sand bank on the far side of the river. This allowed us to go further than we would have been able to otherwise and the jungle and beaches become even more dramatic with interesting rock formations near the final Separation Point. The motor assisted sail then took 2 hours to reach Anchorage bay again. We had the evening meal on the boat for the third time. This time with the aubergine gratin. The new wheelhouse is a godsend for this. It greatly increases the amount living space on the boat. The following day we sailed to Kaiteriteri beach outside the park where Mike met us to drive back to Nelson.

xxx

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