To Phil and Barbara Tanner!

Waking in Kaiteriteri we had another beautiful day on the beach of the usual sunbathing, swimming, diving, ice creams and all that. We left in the afternoon and headed Nelson way camping roadside on a gravel path. The next day we headed for Nelson City, where we plan to spend New Years. It's quite a cool cosmopolitan place in the North of the South with Peruvian pan flutes, French accordian and German restaurants in the high street. As the Sun was beaming we headed slightly south to Rabbit Island where we chilled in the shade, trying to protect our sunburn. We ate and had to be out of Rabbit Island when they shut the bridge gates at 9pm.

Needing somewhere to stay, we headed down a small road near Rabbit Island. It was just a road with a few houses and a lot of empty land so we thought we'd pull over nearby on a bit of grass. We were quite near a house and didn't want to park too close to their land like Gypsies so Ian thought he'd knock on the door and request permission to park up. Me and Jan weren't to optimistic but Ian went ahead anyway and shortly returned to the van with a Kiwi Gentleman. He was ever so nice and invited us to park right on his drive as well as inviting us into their home for a beer! We were so taken back by how friendly and hospitable this guy was. He was Phil Tanner and introduced us to his wife Barbara. He had spent the last 40 years (Barbara, the last 20 years) in England around the Maidenhead area and now having enough money to retire, returned to their native country getting a custom home built. Their house was marvelous! Glass windows where windows would be, it was a very contemporary house. Phil now put on some blues music and kept the beers coming! We spoke about England and New Zealand, their family, Orcas, travelling, football among other things. They gave us chocolate and made us feel very much at home in their humble abode. By 23.00 they went to bed and left their doors open for us to use the toilet as we need to. Walking out we continued with a few beers up the road so as not to disturb them. Phil and Barbara were so welcoming we felt overwhelmed and made a toast to them.

The next morning we woke at 7am speaking to Phil just before he left off to play golf. We expected to leave then but little did we know Barbara was cooking us breakfast! Eggs, bacon, hash brown, toast, tomatos, mushrooms and coffee!!! What a start to the day! We chatted to Barbara for ages where she then offered us a tour of the house. They had 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, one had 2 showerheads. The whole house walls were windows which could be opened which was amazing! It became an outdoor house straight to the decking. Barbara now turned on their HD TV and said we were welcome to watch it. Flicking through I found the live match between Aston Villa V Liverpool! I was soo happy as i've missed football. Here I was in this beautiful house enjoying some live premier league football in the sun! Next she made us a cup of English Tea with fruit cake!

FOOTBALL, TEA + FRUIT CAKE = A HAPPY ASHLEY!

Our tea lasted for ages as we chatted and chatted about all manners of things. By 11.30 we were still there so thought we'd better go. It was really sad leaving the lovely house and the great people in Phil and Barbara Tanner. They had been so great and rare luxury in our trip so far. They said we're welcome back anytime, it would be great to see them again and return the gratitude!