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.