A few photos from our stay in Mapua, near Nelson, Nov. 12-14

These photos are from our stay in Mapua, at a lovely spot on an estuary, in an old apple pickers' cottage. The reflections are in the mud of the estuary at low tide. The birds are pukeko, the funny rail that you see everywhere along the roads in the North Island and in farming country in the South. They have red beaks and a silly gait, probably members of the Ministry of Silly Walks.

We loved the reflections in the mud of estuaries, and it's something we've seen many places in this country with hundreds of bays and estuaries that empty at low tide.


The truck below was the living space for one of the women living on the property. The inside was all panelled in wood and took us right back to the 60s. The woman Lisa had given up a job in the recording industry in Wellington to grow organic grapes and other produce, raise a few sheep and keep chickens. The other woman, Elspeth, is the daughter of the original owners. Only a few apple trees remained. It's a lovely spot for a relaxing stay, especially for birders!








The lower photo is of the road leading in to the property off the highway. It was just as idyllic as it looks. Lots of kayaking in the estuary when the tide is in. Otherwise, only birds ventured in.


We spent three nights at the cottage here, could have stayed much longer. I think we'll be back one day.