Lake Rotoiti

Andrew and his buds, at the barbie

Andrew and Bella had booked two 'baches' (cottages) in the Nelson Lakes National Park, and had invited both their families, and  their wedding party with spouses to come up for two nights.  That was a lot of organizing on their part, but it turned out to be a lot of fun.  Jer, I, Kristin and Charlotte went up just for the day, as did Bella's mom, sister and sister-in-law.  We had rented a car, and Jer drove on VERY windy and zig zaggy roads - on the LEFT side.  The younger crowd (about 15 in total) spent the nights there.  Some of them went swimming, Bella's brother had his boat there, and some of them went knee boarding, some sat on the beach, others went for a hike!!!  Pot luck supper afterwards, with Andrew doing all the BBQing.  Even paua, which Bella's brother had caught the previous week.  Did you know that they are allowed to catch 10 paua per day, but you can go fishing for them every day???? And you are not allowed to catch them while scuba diving??
Today Kristin, Jer, Charlotte and I took the bus to downtown Nelson.  Easy!  Spent a little time shopping, then came 'home' and relaxed.  Andrew and Bella came by in the evening, and we sat around and had a cup of tea together.  Sure is nice to be able to do that!!!  Seems so like family.  Only Duane and Owen missing!!  But we saw them on skype today.