Woke up to a beautiful day. Long day ahead so we were up early and getting away by 0900. Lovely drive 1.5 hours north to Karamea at the beginnings of the Kahurangi National Park - stops along the way to admire the view. Loved the little houses and baches along the way that had been there forever. Evidence of the coal industry, goldmining which brought the first Europeans, timber, dairy farming here. Drove through Karamea eager to get to the Oparara Basin knowing that M would love it and one of my last chances to sell my homeland to him. I had been here some 7-8 years ago on a wonderful family trip with my sister, brother in law and nieces and nephews. I had forgotten was how rough the road was once you turned off and a good 30-40 minutes up a narrow dirt road. Fortunately we had the right vehicle but even I felt slightly unsure what I was doing at times. However there was a reward and we arrived in one piece. Delightful walk through bushland and besides a river to the Oparara Arch - reasonably easy walk . You are no longer allowed to go right up into the Arch - saying that there is no one stopping you. For me it was just perfect - the sun, the bush that I so love, an easy walk and hearing the water flow (and my love of course). Then walked to the Mirror Tarn - slight wind so pictures weren't wonderful but I didn't care. Made M drive back out to Karamea - think he enjoyed the off road driving
http://www.karameainfo.co.nz/oparara-basin
Back to Karamea where we stopped off for lunch about 1430 at the Last Resort on the main road - wonderful place and just loved the architecture and would want to stay there in the future.
Then the long drive back to Nelson which went quickly. Stopped off at Kawatiri Junction to look at the history of the railway and for a bit of a break.