Ocean swim series took their event to Tahunanui Beach in Nelson for the first time over Easter.

I am sure the event was everything Scott Rice and his team had hoped for.

The weather and conditions were perfect, the location magnificent.

After a busy summer of events, Denise and I decided to take advantage of the Easter weekend extending the trip by a couple of days and drove the infamous Teamline van to the Tasman region.

We visited all my market gardening relatives in Hope, caught up with Denise’s friends in Mapua and over the Takaka Hill to Pohara in the wonderful Golden Bay.

Monday we visited the WOW Museum then drove to Picton for the night via a couple of lovely vineyards in Blenheim mmmmm

In short the Tasman region is the best kept secret in NZ. It has everything and more, the markets Denise visited on the Saturday were the best she has visited in NZ (perhaps my cousins produce had something to do with that!), and the few restaurant’s we ate at were as good as anything anywhere.

The vineyards, horticulture, agriculture, forestry, farming and fishing makes this place a foodies mecca.

A special mention about the coffee shop under the Sands apartments in the Nelson Kite Surf Sup store. Their Raglan Roast is up with anything on Ponsonby Road and their pricing is still in the 1990’s – but they reckon they are still making a good buck at $3.50 a cup.

Also NAHM restaurant (Thai with a Twist) Asian Fusion at its very best. I would go back just for another meal there. Slow Cooked Pork with Bok choy and aromatic Chilli sauce … OMG

If you were waiting to hear how this event went in its inaugural year before committing to the 2018/19 season, take it from me ~ pencil this event in your calendar now and be sure to take a few extra days either side to ENJOY.

Lindsay