A week in paradise

We've just came back from a week in the paradise that is Golden Bay, New Zealand. There was lots of sun, and calm blue seas.

We dug shellfish - pipis and clams - out of the sand with our toes, and lightly steamed them open along with mussels taken off the rocks. We caught salmon within a minute of the line going in to the water (cheating slightly as this was at the salmon farm after unsuccessful attempts at trout in the Takaka river) and had it smoked for us in ten minutes so we could bring a taste of our holiday back home.

We explored Wharariki Beach, and went in and out of dark tunnels, staying alert for any seals resting inside. We walked through the bush and across the swing bridge ("1 person at a time") to Wainui Falls and my sons, who had come reluctantly, were blown away by the falls.

The boys made friends with other kids at the camping ground and ran around like a pack of marauding (but friendly) dogs. One night we all joined a bonfire on the beach and toasted marshmallows. The kids played 'Tackle Bullrush' in the dark, as a giant full moon rose behind a hill.

I spent a lot of evenings looking at the sky hoping to see the McNaught comet. I saw it one night, but the brightness of the moon meant that it wasn't very obvious - and certainly not as spectacular as it had been earlier in the week, according to others at the motor camp. The stars were beautiful and it's always reassuring to see the Southern Cross.

Last night we sailed back across the Cook Strait on the ferry, a calm trip, with the moon lighting the way back home. I hope my sons remember this holiday for a very long time; I know I will.