Sip, cycle, repeat

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Kia Ora:
There can't be a better way to see a place than from a bicycle. I hooked up with Bike De-Vine for a wonderful day-long trip. I was on my own and for $60 NZ got pick up and drop off at my hotel, water, map and a route they custom-designed for me to let me get to Te Mata Winery, which was one I was keen to taste at. The day was like all the others have been, clear, cloudless blue sky, brilliant sun and coolish temps. Ideal for cycling. I pedaled through two towns - Hastings and Havelock North, and I feel I have at last mastered the left-hand-drive mystery of the roundabout. I have plenty of cheese left from the previous night's supper, so I bought a local tomato and avocado and had an al fresco lunch at CJ Paske, along with a glass of their excellent Shiraz. I was especially happy to get to Unison winery, a very small operation where the winemaker, Bruce, poured for me and we talked wine in the barrel aging cellar. The wines are spectacular, from the pinot gris to the amazing rose made with Shiraz grapes - a red Kool-Aid colour and delicious. The big boy reds blew my socks off. His signature blend is available at the LCBO, which is good news. Hard to bring wine home because it has to go in the suitcase.
Dinner last night at Pacifica - the best meal I've had in ages. The chefs here can more than hold their own against anything we have in Toronto. This is a part of the world dedicated to foodies and it shows. Fresh and local is the order of the day.
Today, a last deco tour up into the hills around town to see the homes and a visit to the aquarium this aft - a small building on the Marine Parade and home to kiwis and little blue penguins. My flight leaves Napier at 4:30 today - Friday - Thurs. to you. And then the long journey home. What a wonderful trip it's been and I'm glad I got to share it with you!
Will post again before I leave NZ.
See you all soon.
Linda

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Photos

On my way
I started my cycling tour at Te Awa winery

Roses among the vines
Many small wineries had roses in the vineyards

The winemaker
Bruce, who runs Unison with his wife Barbara-Ann

lunch
Te Mata Cheese Co. blue and brie, bread, local veggies and a glass of Shiraz at CJ Paske

The route
Velcro strips held the winery tour map to the bike's handlebars. Neat idea.

Hastings
The town was very pretty and dig the funky street lights

Relaxing
In the town square - with sheep sculptures

Santa!
Santa Claus flies through Hastings

Baaa
What are ewe looking at?

lovely scenery
The hills and wineries on the route

Napier
The beach at Napier

Napier at night
The Daily Telegraph building

Fountain
On the Marine Parade in Napier

Comments

[David]

lost and found
Hey L.B.: Blogs stopped coming directly to my e-mail for some reason but I went back and caught up on all your wine-tasting trips and animal-specific photos, so I don't have any reason to feel sheepish. (ahem. sorry.) Looks great though! Keep having fun (he added redundantly).