Moereki Boulders

Check these out. Started forming about 55 million years ago. They look like they were dropped from the sky.

Brightwater Vineyards 10th Year

Monday is generally my free day. Trina is at work, so it's just me and the dogs. Last week I took them out to Brightwater Vineyards where they actually sat in the car most of the time whilst I went through vertical tasting of Chardonnays from 2000 with the owner, Gary Neale. Gary and Valley are celebrating the 10th year of Brightwater Vineyards That was fantastic, especially seeing the vast difference between screw cap and cork closures. This week I had a 5am-9am at Fresh Choice so went out afterward, without the dogs, to try 10 years of Rieslings. I guess you learn alot in 10 years of winemaking and it might seem an obvious conclusion, but I think I liked the 2009 best.

Nelson Summer Mornings

The regular morning walk with the pooches is pretty good in summer. This morning I decided to go up to the Centre of New Zealand which happens to be only about a 45min return walk from our place. It is supposed to be the geographical centre of the land masses of both islands. Great views over the city anyway and a good steep climb to get the blood flowing.

Fox Glacier

It takes some negotiation of the river to get there, but the glacier is quite an awesome sight close up. The river gushes out from beneath the ice and you wonder why it doesn't all just melt and disappear. It looks a bit dirty and I guess the rain didn't help add to the whole atmosphere, but weel worth the visit and walk.

All good things come to an end they say. Well, we had to move on. Despite the wind we headed for the West Coast. We nearly got bogged at the bridge after I'd almost backed into a gutter to turn around. We were headed for glacier country. Next stop Haast, then Fox Glacier.

Taking in the sights around Wanaka

From tramping up to the lookout over Diamond Lake to.....

Chilled out with a book and no sandflys. I was probably in charge of dinner, or just resting.

One Day You're Gonna Get Caught......

This is what you get for volunteering to take the dogs out for a quick wee. Some happy camper with her finger on the trigger of the camera. That would be Lake Wanaka in the background if you can just focus past the dogs and the bloke in his boxers.

If you find a good spot then stick to it

This is the "no dogs" camping ground where only the owners and us can have dogs. How good is that? We stayed here 3 nights and loved it. I'm sure the only reason I don't have my book and a glass of wine is that Trina was busy taking this photo.

Just a little ray of sunshine

We were staying just out of the Queenstown rat-race in the suburb of Frankton. The van park was on the water's edge and had great facilities. This was our view.

A little food and wine

It's a tough life on the road...for some.

Rail Trail

Depending on your perspective, Clyde is either the beginning or end of the Central Otago Rail Trail. The trains have long gone, but the path of the track follows gentler gradients through the rugged area making it an ideal trail for riders and walkers. Various pubs and guest houses thrive during the warmer part of the year as tourists pause to refresh from their pedal along the 150km trail over 4-5 days. The Lauder Hotel is one such pub which is also a POP (NZMCA Park Over Property). Trina, I and the dogs walked from here hoping to make it to a bridge and a tunnel. We reached the bridge, being the second longest curved railway bridge in NZ, but the tunnel was too far. As it was, we covered 10km for the return walk. A long dusty walk on little legs. Dogs rested well that night.

Cromwell

Cromwell is situaated just a few kilometres upstream from this hydro-scheme dam. The dam levels would have flooded most of the original town so it was moved and is now an historic precinct where there is a market held every Sunday. The bakery does great brioche and jams. Well worth a visit.

Central Otago

After a restful night beside Lake Benmore where each van site has its own toilet/shower unit, we headed south through Lindis Pass. We were headed for Northburne Station near Cromwell where we were expected for a wine tasting. The landscape constantly changed as we climbed and weaved through the mountains. This sign was a significant reminder of our intention to visit the region once we'd settled into NZ life.

Lake Tekapo

Mark sent us on our way via his late dad's house in Ashburton and the inland route via Geraldine. Our first view of an inland lake was this one. The colour was amazing as you can see. From here we headed to Omarama for the night.

Akaroa

We finally embarked on a 2 week holiday in the Campervan. Taking the west-coast route down to Christchurch, we stayed over with Mark and Deb for a couple of nights. Mark took us out to Akaroa for the day. An historic, quaint village, originally settled by the French, on a peninsula about 90 minutes drive west of Christchurch. Fish'n'chips for lunch made it perfect.

Driving is a male thing

Karli is sleeping and Trina is mucking about with the camera, that leaves me and Zac to concentrate on the windy roads.

Wellington - Nelson Wineart

Golden Hills Estates is my newest adventure into the world of wine. Having been grape-growers for the past six years, Sophie and Jeff Marr have decided to launch this new label and I am selling it into Wellington. We only have 1000 cases this year but it is an exciting challenge and next year is much larger. This trade show is the beginning of Golden Hills Estates venture into Wellington, held at The Boatshed on Wellington Harbour. When we get a Pinot Noir, I'll create a new market in Schulz-ville.

Pohara Boat Club

We arrived here to find a pristine glassy harbour glistening in the setting sun. Rose wasn't far away after walking the dogs along the breakwater and taking in the scenery. The next morning a sea mist rolled through and dropped the temperature to about 3C. Pohara Boat Club is suitable for self contained campers but has a shower($2 honesty box) and toilet available. A small donation is requested for overnight stays.

Naked Possum Cafe

As you drive over the Takaka Hill it's like entering another world. The valley stretches north-south for miles with snow peaks in the distance to the west. There is a noticeable difference in pace and style once you reach the small townships which dot the edges of Golden Bay; a mixture of hippies ,farmers and others choosing more organic lifestyles. The Naked Possum Cafe is in inland from Collingwood at the edge of Kahurangi National Park. They have a possum hide tannery, game food and other local produce. You can spend the afternoon listening to a local trio, eating venison sausages cooked by the fire and knocking back a Mussell Inn beer. We were a bit too on-the-move for that so settled for coffee and chocolate mudcake.

Escape to Golden Bay

After a few weekends of working on the van to put in a grey water tank and a loo, it is now certified as fully self contained. This means we can stay at any of the POP's (Park Over Properties) listed in our New Zealand Motor Caravan Association Travel Directory. This one(1319) is at Motueka on Jan & Colin Pretty's place. It has power, shower and toilet and is set up really well. Trina met me after work and we drove about 30minutes to get here as a first night stop over.