By Rachel Tiffen
It is barely a fortnight since flooding in Nelson caused hundreds of slips, forced dozens of families from their homes and closed beaches.
But today, just in time for Saint Nicholas, one of the region's most popular Christmas seaside spots was re-opened.
Rabbit Island is Christmas Day picnic paradise with it’s glistening shores and almost-clear waves. Two weeks ago the water was murky brown and had tourism operators holding their breath.
As cousins Kacey and Madison Ellery will tell you, it is still coming right, but it did not stop them from setting up their lilo.
But for Clayton Ellery, Madison's father, a bit of flotsam is nothing compared to what might be waiting at home in Christchurch.
He was in Blenheim when the quakes struck on Friday.
"[We’re] stressing a little bit. We're in Redcliffs so don't really know what we're going home to."
Although the region appears back to normal today, it still bears the scars of flooding.
All Tasman beaches are now back open for swimming but there is a shellfish ban here at Rabbit Island and at other popular spots like Tahunanui, Pohara, Tata Beach and Ligar Bay.
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