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So we are on our way to Renwick which is near Blenheim in the Marlborough wine region. We are very much looking forward to this section of the tour as we get to drink lots of wine. And then Sarah's wisdom tooth kicks off and she can't drink...Designated driver duties for the next five days then!!
On our way to Renwick we stop off at Havelock. It is a 15 min emergency stop that turns into Brekkie as it is quite nice. We had some hot drinks and snacks and headed off to the marina. I WANT A BOAT. Met some nice people and had a couple of chats as we walked around. Everbody is slightly grumpy but chilled with it. I can't/don't really want to work them out as a tourist..We are a little early so we make our way to the coast to Picton via the wineries. Picton is cool. Another little microcosym of Brighton maybe. We have a drink and look at the boats and the shops and then take a look at the tours for the next couple of days maybe as we have 3 nights here after all. We arrived at Anglesea House which is our lodgings for the next 3 nights around 1pm and were met Diana our host. She has a problem with her hip and seems to be in some discomfort which kind of disarms you as she is a nice but not very warm sort..kind of like the teacher that you learn a lot from but don't like v much...The house is nice and the garden is well kept (how does she manage) and she books us a restaurant for the evening. We also decide to go to some wineries. We check out Gibston Villas, Nautilus and Cloudy Bay. All have good Sauvignon Blancs (SB's) and that's about it. Had a glass of vino with our host but she didn't show..she kinda poured us a glass and pissed off. Ate at Gibbs which was Ok. Wine was crap at first but got better with the meal..Nice people though..Can't wait to get into the wine tour that is booked for tomorrow.
Wine tour...We were taken out by our lovely and enthusiastic tour guide (NO NAME) who is determined that we have a good time. We have 2 other lady brits on our bus from Telford and Lincoln whio are real wine buffs and into their Pinot Noir's. Me, I'm a novice but I kinda know what I do and don't like. The Valley in which the vineyards are situated is twice as big as Napa to give it some scale, is really well know for it's PN and SB and is quite a spectacle as it is flanked by two really big mountain ranges. We start at Spy Valley. So called as the Americans have listening stations there. Pretty cool concept but the wine is not to my liking, or anybody elses it seems. This was a common theme as Liz, Bob, and I are into Heavy Reds and only Sarah really is into her SB's and she can't drink, so Marlborough really didn't have a chance. We did however have some highlights. We have found a Riesling by the Serison winery that is amazing...Yes a Riesling...There were some lovely stops along the way, a great lunch and we have some great piccies, but the reds in the region are really not for us we have decided. The SB however is very good and the ASTROLABE 2008 SB is AMAZING. Our guide dropped us back after 6 hrs and snapped Liz's hand off when she gave her the tip!!
Made our way back to town quickly as we were hungry and Diana must have been getting a kickback from our bookings as she was on us like a shot to make reservations whenever we mentioned anywhere so we were avioiding her a bit!!! Went to Cafe Bellafico. Food was ok but the service was very good. Got a stray parking ticket for parking the wrong way (EH?). Going to give them what for tommorrow aren't we LIZ. Chilled out and had a lazy night before retiring.
Give this Diana lady her due she does a mean brekkie. The eggs are so fresh. Today we are going back to Picton to go around the Marlborough Sounds on a boat tour after we have sorted out the fine. Went to Marlborough Roads and the lovely lady there realised that we are stupid people from the Northern Hemisphere and let us off...thanks a lot for that..$40 we can spend elsewhere eh!!
Picton..It really is lovely. We arrive too late for the 1st cruise and too early for the second so we book for the 1.30 cruise (3 hrs) and take the Great Charlotte Road around Picton back to Havelok as it is supposeldy really cool for views. That it is but the roads are a little hairy and there seems to be road works wherever we roam..
We get back at 1.15 and board the Cougar Line to the Marlborough Sounds. The vessel is made for around 40 people and there are about 20 on board. As it leaves the harbour we again get some stunning views. It navigates around the sounds and acts like a taxi for the resorts and hotels which are located there. They look really funky some of them if not a little remote!! Liz is fine on the boat which is good as she has a problem sometimes with seasickness and Bob get soaked by a dodgy seal on one of the bow doors that shoots out water at high speed..V funny. Me and Sarah make soem real decisions about our future and where we might be in 5 years on this boat...More to come on that over the next 5 years...We see some Dolphins and lots of seabirds and then arrive back around 4.20pm. Decide to go to Spinnakers restaurant in Waikaka Bay wich is a 15 min drive away. Get there and it isn't open but the chef/owner lets us in anyway. Good, I could murder a DECENT glass of wine say we...She obliges and we get through the first of our 2 bottles of LEHMANN that evening...The meal is good and the conversation interesting and we arrive home early but bushed. Bed is calling and we are looking forward to our Next destination Kaikoura for Whale Watching and possibly fishing and Kayaking.
The clan have been to see an english garden in New Zealand this morn. Apparently it is stunning and there is an arched arbour and great Box planting but it is all lost on me really. Sarah, pls continue and attach pictures. Renwick is a nice place all in all and a great base for the wine region and Piction is a must visit, not an incidental for this area...
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