Well, we have arrived in South Island and just in time for the Marlborough Wine Festival, would you believe it? The crossing from Wellington was a piece of cake; the sea was like glass and the scenery going through the Sound towards Picton was spectacular (see picture). Niece Debbie and her mother-in-law Carol met us off the ferry and by the time we reached Blenheim, James and Will were cycling home from school and Mark was driving home from work. We were enthusiastically greeted by the two dogs, Flecka and Harley and it was not too long before I joined Mark, James and Will in the swimming pool. It was a bit fresh but it felt good in the late afternoon sunshine.
The next day, Saturday, was the day of the wine festival and we thought our reputation as rainmakers had preceded us. The festival had never been rained off, but at 10.30 a.m. you would not have bet that this year might be the first. Debbie and Mark’s neighbour, Chris, even went off to get ponchos for us. However, these were not needed and Linda went to the wine festival with her poncho, umbrella but no sun hat (mistake). I have never seen so many wine producers in one place at the same time, I was in heaven. There were lots of people all having fun (see picture) and the day turned out to be very sunny – not because of all the wine we tasted. Apart from wine and food, there was music during the day and we stayed on until past 6 o’clock when Gin Wigmore performed and she was really worth waiting for (one of NZ’s most exciting new artists for years, with a US recording contract). We left the festival feeling very happy (see picture of me with Linda and Debbie).
On Sunday, after a leisurely breakfast at the farmer’s market, the whole family drove to White’s Beach, a nice sandy cove, where we went into the sea (a little cold), played a little beach cricket (me) and walked around the rocks (Linda). Today, we went with Debbie to the Slip Inn at Havelock for a lovely seafood lunch and a sweet tasting Sav (Sauvignon Blanc to you and me).
It’s lovely to be with the Debbie and her family for the first time in 18 months, to enjoy their company, see their superb home and to eat the fresh fruit and veges growing in their expansive garden. We are now preparing to send some clothes home in order to lighten the load in our suitcases before returning to Auckland for our next journey to Australia.
The next day, Saturday, was the day of the wine festival and we thought our reputation as rainmakers had preceded us. The festival had never been rained off, but at 10.30 a.m. you would not have bet that this year might be the first. Debbie and Mark’s neighbour, Chris, even went off to get ponchos for us. However, these were not needed and Linda went to the wine festival with her poncho, umbrella but no sun hat (mistake). I have never seen so many wine producers in one place at the same time, I was in heaven. There were lots of people all having fun (see picture) and the day turned out to be very sunny – not because of all the wine we tasted. Apart from wine and food, there was music during the day and we stayed on until past 6 o’clock when Gin Wigmore performed and she was really worth waiting for (one of NZ’s most exciting new artists for years, with a US recording contract). We left the festival feeling very happy (see picture of me with Linda and Debbie).
On Sunday, after a leisurely breakfast at the farmer’s market, the whole family drove to White’s Beach, a nice sandy cove, where we went into the sea (a little cold), played a little beach cricket (me) and walked around the rocks (Linda). Today, we went with Debbie to the Slip Inn at Havelock for a lovely seafood lunch and a sweet tasting Sav (Sauvignon Blanc to you and me).
It’s lovely to be with the Debbie and her family for the first time in 18 months, to enjoy their company, see their superb home and to eat the fresh fruit and veges growing in their expansive garden. We are now preparing to send some clothes home in order to lighten the load in our suitcases before returning to Auckland for our next journey to Australia.
Oooooooooo..... now I am just getting jealous!!!!
ReplyDeleteWine, women AND song David? What a holiday.