Wine, Oil and nice doggies...

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After a fairly painless ferry journey, which involved us sleeping whilst in the ferry queue, then sleeping on the ferry, then sleeping again in a carpark after in a picnic reserve, we made ourway round the coast to a region called Nelson. Pulled up at a campsite for the night and booked ourselves onto a wine tasting tour for the next day. Got into the spirit of things by polishing off a bottle of white and a bottle of red.

Woke up the following day and headed out on the tour. Stopped at 4 lovely wineries (with a lovely gourmet platter at the first and last stops), accidentally buying a bottle at each... whoops! Not as cheap as you would expect!

Went to The Smuggler (pub) for tea, and had the largest plate of pork ribs we have ever encountered!!! See before and after photos!!

Next day travelled up the coast for a brief foray into the Abel Tasmin National Park, where we undertook a fairly leisurely 4hr beautiful tramp... caught a water-taxi back to base.

Drove for a while, and hit a caravan park which was straight out the seventies... stayed the night and then in the morning took off heading for the west coast...

Made a random stop at Lake Roturoa, which contains the highest population of sandfly. Unbelievable little buggers, got everywhere... even spoilt our nice picnic lunch overlooking the stunning lake!

Next random stop was "the longest swingbridge in New Zealand" which was pretty cool.

Another couple of hours driving brought us to the Cape Foulwind (great name) Seal Colony, where we stood and watched what looked like moving rocks slumber about... cute puppies though! More driving brought us further down the coast, where we camped for the night on the side of the road, over looking the sea!

Apparently there are some Penguins about! Keep ya eyes open!!

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Photos

Nelson Wine Tour
James and Indy getting aquainted

Nelson Wine Tour
Random Vineyard

The Smugglers
Massive Portions
BEFORE
Sharing half steak and half ribs

The Smuggler
AFTER
All gone!! But at a cost, James and Karen didn't move for 3 days!

Abel Tasmin National Park
The Tramp had a great view!!!

Lake Rotaroa
Attack of the sandflies!!! Beautiful view and picnic ruined by the bloodsucking beasties!!!

Lake Roturoa
The swans were after our lunch too!!!

Bulmer Swingbridge
James swinging, very Indiana Jones!!

Cape Foulwind
Spot the Seal competition, winner gets a free picture with seals in!!!

West Coast Sleeping
View from the van in the evening!!!

Comments

[Mit]

Mmmmmmmmmmm
Bring us back one of the bottles, thanks very much.

[James B]

Lovely trip
Got slightly confused on the winery photos jim and kaz - was the before picture `you and the dog` James or Kaz with the dog on her plate?? - only kidding mate - am loving your adventures - bring me back a stick of rock. James B

[cherry b]

Food!
Thats my girl! XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX