April 12, 2016
Part of our plan in coming to Havelock was to make a run to Nelson, 46 miles away, to pick up a couple of packages we’d had delivered to the Nelson Marina. Although they’d never met us, and we only had a vague reservation for a slip, the marina staff had very graciously received our large box and were holding it for our arrival. My renewed passport was also due to arrive. It would be at least two more weeks before we’d get to Nelson on our boat and since we don’t consider the Nelson Marina our personal storage facility, we thought it would be nice to relieve them of the box. Plus, I’d been nervous about my passport and was hoping it had arrived.
After finding out a bus trip would require an overnight stay in Nelson, we were relived to be able to rent a car at the local gas station. We picked it up in the morning, got our trim flat whites (coffee with steamed milk) to go, and made the 1-hour drive over the hills and mountains to Nelson. We arrived before lunch and were thrilled to pick up our box and my just-arrived passport from Bruce in the office. This was our first visit with the marina office, and we could tell already that we’d like it here.
Now it was time to get to know our future home-base a bit better. We drove along a waterfront area before heading back into town. Without the Easter Holiday crowds we’d encountered last time, the town was, as we hoped, much less hyperactive. We thought we were having lunch either at Burger Fuel or Nosh, both of which we’d confirmed were here months ago. It turns out we we’re both insane (but that’s not exactly a state secret). Finding out neither place has a branch here, and not having done any other restaurant research, we ended up at dependable McDonald’s.
After lunch we took a walk around town, admiring again the profusion of flower baskets, brick walkways and outdoor cafes. We also noticed independent food carts around, always a good sign for a city. We initially thought Nelson could be a city that we’d like, and today it looked possible it could be a city that we’d love. Time would tell. –Cyndi
