Wine tasting!

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Spent a few hours relaxing today at Hamner Springs; lots of geothermal pools at different temperatures, absolute bliss, even though the sulphur pools were a bit stinky. Also a few water slides here to keep the girls and Stuart happy!

Back to the coast to Kaikoura, then followed the coast road up to Blenheim, passing hundreds of seals, just metres from where we were standing. Really entertaining watching them. Freya decided some of the biggest ones were real bullies!

The drive into Blenheim was incredible, miles and miles and miles of vineyards stretching in every direction, can certainly see why the Marlborough region is so well known. Found a great place to stay called the Vintners Retreat surrounded by vineyards.

When we arrived we all played tennis and then had a refreshing swim in the pool.

The following day we hired bikes and headed off to the Cloudy Bay Estate where we all enjoyed some very special wine tasting.

The bike journey back was more difficult, not due to the wine but the wind had picked up and whilst it only took us half an hour to get there it took well over an hour to get back!

We returned the bikes and headed down the road to the Wairau River vineyard to sample their wine and have a late lunch which was delicious.

Returned to our lodge to relax but Freya still had loads of energy so it was off to the pool and then tennis!!

The following morning was a 40 minute drive which in New Zealand is "just down the road" to the ferry terminal to take us over to Wellington on the North Island. The ferry crossing was very calm and once again the scenery leaving the South Island was spectacular.

The ferry crossing meant that Abby and Freya could settle down to a couple of hours of maths!

So the end of our South Island adventure; we drove 2300km or 1429 miles in the fifteen days we had the car, so definitely feel we packed in as much as we could!

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Photos

Hamner Springs
Very relaxing!

Hammer Springs
Not so relaxing!,

Seals
Never seen so many seals and right next to the coast road.

It's that look
No Freya it won't fit in the back of the car!

Vineyards
Wine as far as you can see!

Had to didn't we!
A very pleasant visit to this little establishment!

Relaxing.
Freya relaxing in a very comfortable deckchair.

Comments

[marcia]

Wine Tasting!
Cheers! Sorry you had to endure such an arduous task!!!

[Carpenters]

You and Brian must come here, it's incredible! The most amazing scenery day after day. Hope all ok at home, missing you all. X

[Rebecca]

Wow!
Hi guys, have just caught up on your travels! Can't believe how much you have done!! Made me tired just reading it!! All looks incredible - SO impressed at Abby & her Bungy jumping!! Hope you will get a chance to relax at some point, you will be coming home for a rest! Looking forward to the next instalment! Lots of love to you all xx