[mcacmartin]

Our 7 year just had a dental check up at school, turns out her back molars have hypoplasia, she's going to need them yanked in the next year or so, but in the meantime we need to see an orthodontist about whether that's actually the right decision given the placement of the rest of her teeth.

Turns out that there are apparently only TWO orthodontists in the top of the South Island and they are BOTH based out of Nelson. One does come into Blenheim regularly but he doesn't like to see new patients here, so at some point quite soon, we are going to have to head to Nelson for that.

So. We are both going to take that day off (whenever it may be) and make a day of it. Drive over there, spend the day doing whatever, and come home that night.

What do we do? What should we see? Is the road between Blenheim and Nelson really as dangerous as we've heard?

Tell me everything that I can fit into a day for relatively cheaply.

[Alive&Kicking]

Heya,

I do not regard the road between Blenheim and Nelson more dangerous than any other road in NZ/South Island. It is a beautiful trip. Whenever I go to Nelson I often stop at Havelock and Pelorus Bridge. The first for a coffee and the next for a nice walk in the bush (dont get a coffee there!).

Of course, when you have heaps of time you can take the turn off to Cable Bay just behind Hira (Before Nelson) and enjoy the beautiful scenery there. In Nelson itself there are parks (Japanese garden), restaurants, nice musea (a.o. Founders Park), and shopping - the choice of shops is much wider than here in Blenheim, but of course pretty limited to what you were used to back home.

Of course, you can also just go to Tahuna to lay on the beach.
Make the most of it - that won't be difficult!!!!

Cheers,
Anita

[Fern01]

Enjoy your drive, I don't see that the road is dangerous

[Jolie]

If you find art at all interesting, then I highly recommend the World of Wearable Art Museum (http://www.wowcars.co.nz) (which includes a separate Classic Cars Museum). I wasn't quite sure what to expect from WOW but found it to be absolutely incredible and fascinating; the amount of imagination and cleverness which has gone into most of the "costumes" is just unbelievable.

You might have a squiz at the City of Nelson official tourism website's list of Sights and Attractions (http://www.nelsonnz.com/sights.and.activities) to see if there is anything of special interest to you.

:)

[mcacmartin]

Anita....I totally forgot you were in Blenheim as well! We should all (you, me, Renate..and any other blenheimites) get together for coffee sometime. I've been meaning to meet up with Renate (newarrival) for ages and keep forgetting! Thanks for the tips!

[KatieBen]

Things to do in Nelson depend largely on the weather.

Good sunny day - Tahuna beach has a great children's playground, cafe and Natureland (small wildlife park) - and the beach, of course. Slightly further out is Rabbit Island with good walking/biking and more beach, plus wood barbeques for lunch. Founders Park is interesting if you like wandering around old houses with a lovely bakery (plus brewery for people who aren't driving!), there are some lovely Japanese gardens next to it for a wander around.

Rainy day - Nelson museum, Chipmunks (indoor climbing frame with seriously large slide), World of Wearable Art as already mentioned (and definitely worth a look around, the "clothes" are amazing and the cars are gorgeous) - on the way to Rabbit Island is Eyebright, which calls itself a "Country Store" but sells lots of gifty stuff - the Christmas displays are all up and running, it's eye candy all over the shop. There are a few historic houses scattered throughout Nelson and Stoke but haven't got around to visiting them yet so not sure if they're worth the effort - will do it at some point!

Down the road in Richmond is the ASB aquatic centre, which is a decent collection of swimming pools (including one with waves, but suspect they're not on during the day).
There may well be more in Richmond but it's seems to be mostly housing and mall really, although I'm sure someone will be along to point out what I've left out. Oh, it's got an amazingly pricey 2-michelin-star restaurant (Bouterey's) which is spectacular for food (and pricey, did I mention that?)

Should be plenty of options to fill up a day, anyway! The Blenheim->Nelson road isn't that dangerous, although it can get a little narrow and windy in places. There are plenty of passing lanes to let impatient people behind you past. Who's your orthodontist?

[mcacmartin]

. Who's your orthodontist?

Don't know yet. The dentist at the hospital is sending off a letter and then the guy will call us for an appointment. I hope it happens soon though! I really really want to come to Nelson ..... wish it didn't have to be during the week though! Weekend would have been better.

[rogercruse]

We visited Nelson in our way to scuba dive at clear waters of Pupu Springs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Te_Waikoropupu_Springs

It was the wettest October on record and raining quite hard, the journey from Bleheim was fairly bad with a couple of river crossings in heavy flood that we wouldn't want to experience again.

Strangely, we don't remember much about Nelson as the rain and the diving were both incredible.

[KatieBen]

..... wish it didn't have to be during the week though! Weekend would have been better.

Depends on your viewpoint - the weekend there is the Saturday market which is always good, but on a sunny day will be packed. During the week things are quieter :)

(You know, I cannot believe I am saying that places will be packed. This is NZ, I came from a city with a higher population than South Island....) (it's all relative!)

[Alive&Kicking]

Anita....I totally forgot you were in Blenheim as well! We should all (you, me, Renate..and any other blenheimites) get together for coffee sometime. I've been meaning to meet up with Renate (newarrival) for ages and keep forgetting! Thanks for the tips!

Always 'IN' for a catch up - coffees (during the day) might be a bit difficult for me during weekdays since i will be working fulltime from next week onwards. But in the weekend or a wine at night, is always possible!

Cheers,
Anita

[newarrival]

Count me in for coffee or whatever sort of meeting:nice1...
As for the orthodontist- you should surely be able to choose the one who comes to Blenheim, otherwise you would need to go to Nelson quite often! He happens to come to the Seymour Dental Centre and seems to be a very nice man, and always busy, when he has his days at the surgery!

[mcacmartin]

Count me in for coffee or whatever sort of meeting:nice1...
As for the orthodontist- you should surely be able to choose the one who comes to Blenheim, otherwise you would need to go to Nelson quite often! He happens to come to the Seymour Dental Centre and seems to be a very nice man, and always busy, when he has his days at the surgery!


Nah, we shouldn't have to see him again after this consultation...the dentist at the hospital just wants to make sure that yanking the teeth IS the best option. I really really hope she will never need braces. That's a cost I don't need.