Elaine Bay Pelorus Sounds, Marlborough

3rd February 

Leaving Cable Bay

Yesterday we left Cable Bay about 9.15 and drove back to Nelson to do a supermarket shop. It was a week since we picked up the van and did a big shop and we were planning to go out into the Sounds for a couple of days. We found New World and stocked up. We were given a tourist clubcard for this supermarket in Christchurch so can make use of  the deals and get a discount, plus they give Mobil petrol discount vouchers with every spend, according to the amount spent. Unfortunately the local Mobil station had run out of diesel so we had to pay full price somewhere else, but it is very cheap at around 80p/litre. We also called at a pharmacy for advice about my sandfly bites, of which more later.

We set off mid morning but unfortunately I missed a turning so we end up going back towards Richmond along he Coast road which had suffered the storm surge the day before. There was a lot of clearing up going on and quite a build up of traffic.

Eventually we were able to turn back in the right direction, driving through Nelson once again and out onto the open road. There was a very big hill to negotiate, lots of bends, quite a bit of traffic including a few trucks. We stopped at Mt Richmond Estate Forest Motel and Cafe for a break a very nice spot. At around 1.0pm we turned off onto the road for Elaine Bay which was our planned destination. The distance is 25 miles and it took almost 1 hour. The road is two lanes most of the way but very very twisty, up and down and round and about! Along the way there were beautiful views of the Sounds with turquoise blue sea, but few opportunities to stop for photos. We pulled into the DOC campsite in the Bay at around 2.0pm by which time M was feeling quite carsick. 

The weather was blustery with sun and cloud and cooler than previous days, but still warm enough to sit outside with a restorative beer and then our lunch.

 

View on the drive in

We spent a lazy afternoon and evening, Michael went for a walk and I read my book

  

Evening view from the van

Today we woke to more blue sky, but strong winds funnelling up the bay, which has continued on and off all day. We did some domestic chores the set  to walk to Piwakawaka Bay, 1.5 hrs round trip. The path goes up and down round a forested headland, through beech forest with an under storey of tree ferns many 20’ or so high. When we reached the Bay the tide was fully in, so the little sandy beach we remembered was covered, nevertheless M had to have a ‘dip’!!

When we got back to the van we realised just how high the tides are at present, the jetty was under water!

By the way the boat anchored in the bay is to do with the aquaculture business. Green lipped mussels are cultivated in these sounds.

I had a very lazy afternoon, sleeping then making lace whilst M went for another walk.

A beautiful view from the van this evening, but the wind has turned chilly. In fact last night we turned the heating on for about half an hour before we went to bed. 

Weather: dry! Sun, cloud, windy

Total km including detour 122

Sandflies!!!!..... are silent and deadly. They are the scourge of the the 

West Coast and unfortunately they like me!!  I was unprepared when we camped by the river last Sunday and a rather large monster bit me just above the ankle. In the main sandflies fly low, they bite at dusk or on cloudy days. They don’t like sun or wind. They are tiny and you don’t know you have been bitten until about 12 hours later when the bite starts to swell and itch.  I have several bites on my left foot and leg and unfortunately I react badly to them coming out in blisters and bruising. My left ankle and leg below the knee has been quite swollen and I took some anti inflammatorie is to alleviate the situation . The pharmacist I saw agreed with my course of action and I have been trying to sit with my foot up when possible. Thankfully today they seem to have settled, although my foot is covered with sting relief plasters and blister plasters. I have got a few bites on my arms too, but they are not so bad.

Yes, I know what everyone is thinking.....use a repellent......and I have, along with Avon Skin So Soft......and I have worn long trousers and socks in the evening. Interestingly whilst Scottish midges are deterred by light coloured clothing, sandflies go to the light, so dark leggings and black socks seem to be the best option here. I am relieved to say that there don’t seem to be any sandflies here, but maybe the wind is keeping them away. 

Tomorrow we will stay near Piction in preparation for the ferry crossing on Monday. There are no sandflies on North Island!!