Our first day on the Abel Tasman Walk, through the Abel Tasman National Park.

It rained during the bus ride down to the start of the walk but stopped just as we started walking. There was still mist in the mountains though.

The water was so calm and we couldn't really see a horizon, it was rather eerie.

It started to get lighter and we could see the beautiful green colour of the water, so pretty.

Apple Tree Bay where we stopped for a snack and saw so many birds. The island is Adele Island.

The weather continues to improve and Pete and I just love walking along the beach...with nobody else around.

As we walked along the track we could look back at the beaches we had walked along, the colours are amazing.

Adele Island

So many interesting rock formations...

We had a little sprinkle of rain but luckily Pete and I found cover in a beach cave...note the black sand ( because there is iron in it).

Te Pupatea Bay...all to ourselves 

Our bed for the night...on a aqua packers boat at Anchorage. We had a fabulous time with Mark and Jane our hosts and 9 others (who were all way younger than Pete and I). We were gently rocked to sleep. A perfect end to a fabulous day.

Beautiful Picton harbour on a glorious sunny morning. On the left of the photo is the "Islander" , the ferry that travels between the north and the south island.

 ...more photos of the harbour...

Picton, surrounded by hills...

...the fern in my coffee...

In the early afternoon we caught the bus back to Nelson. I took a few photos from the window. We passed many pine forests but also vineyards and farmland (mainly dairy farms). The yellow gorse is everywhere, so pretty at this time of year.

After checking into our hotel, Pete and I went for a walk in the sunshine. This is the Maitai River that flows through Nelson . 

How beautiful are these daffodils in the heart of Nelson?

I put this photo in for a laugh...we are unpacking and repacking before our next walk, leaving one suitcase here in the hotel. Pete has just told me that he left my bookclub book (which he was reading first) on the bus! 

Pink clouds in the sky this morning, this is the view from our bedroom balcony at the Portage Resort.

Day 4 started with a huge climb up into the clouds. The sun was shining in the distance.

Here I am looking over Torea Bay. The clouds and mist would come and go and occasionally the sun would come out. It was a beautiful day for walking.

This is our view when we stopped for lunch.

...continuing on after lunch...

Davies Beach...I just loved this beach, the tide was out and we were surrounded by water and mountains and mist. It was quite spectacular and so silent.

You could almost see the tide coming in.

The view back the other way at Davies Beach.

The last few kilometres was forest full of ferns and beech trees , so pretty.

The silver fern , New Zealand's national emblem.

The end of the track, Anakiwa, a small settlement on the water. I took this photo from the jetty as Pete and I soaked our tired feet in the freezing water as we waited for the water taxi back to Picton. 

Starting out day 3 of the walk, another lovely still day, a little chilly but we warm up quickly when we begin walking.

We walked through some pine forests this morning and really enjoyed how easy it was on our feet.  A lot of the track is very rocky and muddy, so it is quite slippery.

We are now climbing up to the Kenepuru Saddle and the views are magnificent. There are some farms in the area and we cross private land quite often.

This shot was taken by one of the other walkers. We are at a look out called "Eatwell Lookout" named after the family that own the land that the path runs through. In the distance we could see the North Island of New Zealand.

Native clematis...so delicate and pretty.

I included this photo as it shows how tidal the waters of the sound are, all the little inlets look like this when the tide is out.

Isn't this an amazing fungus, I have only seen it the once.

Another amazing plant that is in the gardens at Portage Resort where we are staying tonight.

Day 2 on the track, walking along with pretty glimpses of the beautiful waters of the sound.

After an hour or so we had a lovely view of Furneaux Lodge where we stayed last night, what  a sensational part of the world..

....I never tire of the waterfalls and ferns on the track...

Pete on the track...having him in the photos gives you some idea of how large the ferns are!

As the signs says, midway between Furneaux Lodge and Punga Cove.

Walking along admiring the birch trees and the crystal clear waters of the sound.

Pete on the track..

I loved leaving the track for a moment to have a little walk on some of the beaches, I couldn't believe how still the water was.

Our second night on the track was spent at Punga Cove Resort. This was the view from our bedroom...not bad!

After a glorious hot shower, Pete and I spent the remaining hours of daylight in this cute little bar on the water at Punga Cove. Sebastian from Argentina looked after us.

This was the view outside the restaurant, at about 7 pm..

And this was our view from our dinner table...