WINE, JESUS AND LOBSTERS

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BLOG 5 - WINE, JESUS AND LOBSTERS

ONCE MORE INTO THE BREACH, DEAR FRIENDS.. THIS BLOGGING IS NEVER EASY LYING FLAT IN THE BACK OF A CAMPERVAN TYPING ONE HANDED! (FRIGHTENED TO LET PEOPLE SEE THE COMPUTER AS WORRIED SOMEONE MAY BE TEMPTED TO BREAK IN FOR IT, THO I RECKON THE CAMPSITES WE ARE STAYING AT ARE REALLY V SAFE AND CRIME FREE..)

SO, WE LEFT MARTINBOROUGH WINE REGION AFTER A GOOD SAMPLING THE NIGHT BEFORE AT A LOCAL HOSTELRY. THE STARS THAT NIGHT WERE STUNNING SEEN WITH MINIMAL LIGHT POLLUTION (OK, AND A SKINFUL!). THE NEXT DAY DAWNED BRIGHT AND CLEAR, TEMP I GUESS AROUND 24C BUT VHOT IN DIRECT OZONE FREE SUNSHINE - SERIOUS BURN TIME HEREABOUTS 15 MINS. (HITHERTO, THE WEATHER HAD BEEN GENERALLY RATHER CLOUDY - BUT STILL HOT/MUGGY - WITH MANY SHOWERS & HAZY SUNNY SPELLS). THIS WAS MORE LIKE IT!

WE’D NOT BOTHERED TO BOOK AHEAD FOR WELLINGTON, BIG CITY, LOADS OF HOTELS, BUT WE WANTED THE CENTRE FOR SHOPPING PURPOSES, AND 9AM ACCESS TO THE FERRY IN THE HARBOUR. SO WE ARRIVE AT ONE OF THE POSHEST TO FIND NO ROOM AT THE INN - WELL I HAVE TO MODEL MYSELF ON SOMEBODY, DON’T I? SEEMS THAT VERY EVENING THERE’S AN ANNUAL ASSEMBLAGE OF FAMOUS NZ BANDS IN THE HARBOURZONE AND THE PLACE IS CHOCKA.. MANAGER CHECKS OTHER HOTELS AND RENTAL APARTMENTS WITHIN 10M RADIUS AND ALL BOOKED. FINALLY TAKES PITY ON US AND SELLS US HIS RESERVE SUITE, SO HURRAH, WE’RE SAVED (MUST’VE BEEN THE TEARS WELLING UP IN Z’S EYES AT THE THOUGHT OF SHOPPING DEPRIVATION WHICH MELTED HIS STONY HEART; THAT, AND POSSIBLY THE LARGE BANKNOTE FURLED IN MY DESPERATE PALM).

NEXT, TO THE FERRY, AND A BLUSTERY 3 HR CROSSING TO PICTON, SUITABLY FORTIFIED WITH SEASICK PILLS. GOOD NEWS, THE CAMPERVAN IS WAITING AT THE DOOR. BAD NEWS, THE GUY IS JUST DROPPING IT OFF AS A FAVOUR AND KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT THE INVENTORY, HOW TO WORK/EMPTY/CHARGE/REPLACE ANYTHING, WHERE ANYTHING IS, JUST SIGN HERE PLEASE, SIR. SO, LAMBS TO THE SLAUGHTER, WE’RE OFF - AND EVERYTIME I TOUCH THE FOOTBRAKE, THE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. GREAT FOR MOUNTAIN DRIVING, ANY DRIVING COME TO THAT. SO 3 MINUTES INTO THE HIRE WE PHONE THE EMERGENCY NUMBER AND MR WIDEBOY SAYS THE VAN’S "BEEN LIKE THAT FROM BIRTH, MATE, CAN’T STOP IT” - AND I’M WONDERING, THE LIGHT OR THE VAN?

SO TOTALLY REASSURED BY OUR TOPCLASS SERVICE, WE CONTINUE OUR TIMOROUS WAY TO KAIKOURA, WHALETOWN, A TOWN REDOLENT OF ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLERS, HOME OF THE LOCALLY FAMOUS SEA CRAYFISH (LOBSTER) BUT - BEING SUNDAY, PERHAPS? - WE DISCOVER LATER THAT EVENING THAT THERE AREN’T ANY. SO WE EAT A YUMMY THAI INSTEAD. WE BOOK INTO A CAMPSITE, I ASK THE BAND OF CAMP BROTHERS HOW MY VAN’S BED, WATER, SEWAGE, WASTE, ETC WORKS, ET VOILA, NOUS SOMMES EXPERTS… WE’RE ON OUR WAY… WILL WE SEE SPERM WHALES ON THE MORROW?

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Photos

SAMPLING THE LOCAL PINOT NOIR
AND PRETTY DAMN FINE IT IS TOO..

AT THE VINEYARD
Z ADMIRES THE FLAARS

WELLINGTON HARBOUR
DIDN'T FANCY HELITRIP ROUND THE COAST

OLD BRASS GEEZER WITH DOG
NOT MUCH TO PHOTOGRAPH IN WELLINGTON

Z WITH THE WIND IN HER FUR
AND HER HAIR BLOWING TOO

SEALS ON ROCKS OUTSIDE KAIKOURA
THESE WEREN'T ON THE MENU EITHER

KING OF THE PIKEYS
MASTER OF HIS PITCH (AND TOSS)

STONY BEACH AT KAIKOURA
MOUNTAINS BEHIND QUITE MALAGA LIKE

AT THE CAMPSITE
NO SHORTAGE OF MOOCHERS AT THE TABLE (TOE PECKING A SPECIALITY)

SETTLING DOWN TO WAIT
STOP FEEDING THOSE DUCKS, THERE'S A QUEUE!