I had been aiming to run a training weekend this weekend, but due to lack of resources and access roads, I decided to put on a small keep-it-local day-walk instead. It is a lovely way to view Nelson from the other side of the water. 

 The 8km walk from Boulder Bank Drive to ‘The Cut’, takes 2–3 hours one way, and our spritely group certainly did that in lesser time. Although a relatively easy walk, the Boulder Bank is very rocky, rough, dry and exposed in places, and has certainly suffered some damage from some of the cyclones earlier in the year which have shifted some of the rocks. 

 One thing, however, that I personally found very concerning and overwhelming, was the amount of plastic washing up along the inside of the Boulder Bank. On the return leg I filled a couple of bags, picking up plastic bottles, the condemned drinking straw and many many tennis balls which had washed up. The weekend prior to our walk there had been an organized clean up, so I can only figure that a lot of what I picked up was fresh, which was very sad to see.  

And I forgot that you can get a key for the lighthouse from the Port of Nelson security office! Apparently there’s a visitor’s book inside the lighthouse, and a very cool wooden staircase leading up to the light with a small hatch you can pop through onto the balcony – definitely a highlight of a trip there.

Four humans and Kobi the dog did this walk.  Kobi needs to be complemented heavily on his group management skills – walking amongst the pack and checking on all members. It was very nice to see Rita again before her return to the UK. 

A lovely afternoon with interesting wildlife and baches to see on the way.

Walkers were: Liz Henderson (trip leader & scribe), Scott Stocker, Rita Bourn, Kerry Jones & Kobi the dog.