Advertisement
Published: January 20th 2007
Edit Blog Post
It rained fairly heavily during the night and was still raining in the morning so the tent was soaked through. Cleared it out and packed the car up - just hope we can get the tent dried out before too long otherwise everything is going to smell like a wet dog! After a quick breakfast we headed down the coast to Matueka before following the coast road round to Nelson. We found a suitable swimming pool but it was closed for a 'Mums with Bumps' session. Paul reckons after 4 months away he now has the physique to pass detection but Beck is still too skinny so we ended up using the internet for an hour or so before heading back to the pool to do some lengths. Both ended up being a bit famished so some egg sarnies and crisps were needed for lunch - weight watchers be damned!
After lunch we continued along the coast to Picton, stopping at Havelock along the way for some tea and to try to get a tax disk for the car. Unfortunately we picked the only town in the area which is not computerised, but it was good to stop and see
the local restaurant with mussles on the roof! Have decided to do another tour in the area as Malborough produces some world renowned plonks. After such a good tour in Aus we had high hopes, but it all proved a little difficult to sort out. Have decided to drive ourselves instead, going to Montana for lunch and then onto Alan Scotts which was suggested by the tourist information in Havelock. Beck also has her eye on a chocolate factory which might be on the agenda as well!
Finished the journey into Picton on a really tight and twisty coastal road which made us both a bit sick - nothing to do with Pauls driving. We are booked into a cabin at the Waikana Bay holiday park just out of the town. Its fairly cheap, but should hopefully allow us to dry some stuff out.
Popped into the local super market to get some supplies - it was their xmas promotion so the were lots of food and drink samples we had to try all from helpers in santa hats - shopping should be like this more often! Dinner was a bbq back at the campsite - but it
was cold with us both in fleeces, hats and gloves. Over our food got chatting to another couple and a mad french fella who has cycled down through the USA and canada and who is now making his way through NZ. Hardcore and a bit barmy!
Spent a good night inside - not the most luxurious or warmest cabin, but the tent is drying out ok and the day is warmer and sunny. Spent the morning chilling out and getting ourselves sorted out. Have planned the winetasting today and we do not want to get started too early!
Drove down to Blenheim, the local town and tried to catch up with internet and booking accomodation in the cooks. Got a bit caught out as we are in shorts T-shirts and flip-flops but its really cold out of the sun and the wind is a bit bitter. Got to the Montana vineyard about 2pm and got a table for lunch along with a dozen samples of wine to taste. Beck had a great ceasar salad and Paul had pasta with scallops - perfect for the sampling. Was a great way to spend a Wednesday afternoon. After lunch we went
to Alan Scotts, a more localised vineyard with some great wines. They do export to the uk so will have to check them out when we get back - both the Pinot Gris and the unoaked chardonnay were great. A real highlight was the Moa beer which are named after an extinct bird. Had a few tasty beers and we ended up buying a bottle for later.
The final stop of the day was a boutique chocolate factory to get a treat for Beckies birthday. Was a great little place and we got some truffles for the big day. After all this frivolity we headed back to Picton and got some supplies before heading back to the camp site. Dinner was crackers, stilton, fresh pineapple and cranberry with the Moa beer from earlier. Had another good chat with Fred who had been for a sky dive that day - nice fella but mad as a hatter!
Advertisement
Tot: 0.069s; Tpl: 0.01s; cc: 15; qc: 72; dbt: 0.0401s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb