The big drive west

Playground - Part 1
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A big driving day.  We get up early and head for the Waikoropupa Springs.  It was nice to get out and do some walking, even if only for a few minutes.  I decided not to head up to Farewell Spit, as this can only be seen via a guided tour, and I dont fancy the idea of taking LLoyd on a 4x4 jeep. So we head south, and back to Nelson.  We shop for food for the next 3 days, then head to Tahunnia Beach where there is a childrens playground.  The playground is massive, see the attached photos for two thirds of it (there is an older section aswell). Matthew again had a great time, playing in the park for about 2 hours whilst we had a picnic, fed Lloyd and ate ice creams.  Even though it was boiling hot Matthew still didnt want to have an ice-cream - strange child!

Playground - Part 2
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It must have been about 3.30pm by the time we set off, heading for the west coast.  We drive through the Buller River Gorge, which is basically a road that follows this river forever.  Well it felt like a long time.  At around 8pm and just as the sun disappears over the horizon we arrive in Punakaiki.

Playground is massive