Two very sleepy girls headed north from Christchurch in search o the whale watching (apparently) paradise and cray fish heaven township of Kaikoura. But after a long week in Christchurch neither of us were up to much and chilled out for the evening in the campsite. The next day we went for a very pleasant walk along the peninsula, the rain only threatenly a number of times. But eventually we succumbed to getting wet and the sun came out. What luck?
Renwick Wine Tasting
From Kaikoura, we headed north again to Bleinheim in search on vine yards and great wines. We drove through the town of Bleimheim and were bitterly disappointed at the clinically manicured streets. The town had no character. We continued. In the guidebook, we noted a little campsite/hostel about 10 km away in a the town of Renwick, we'd try there. It was fantastic. Watson's Way was run by an elderly couple. It had charming surrounds set beneath the orange and lemon trees.
They even provided breakfast for the guests. Freshly made jams and perserves, what more could one ask for. The rented bikes, so we teamed up with another irish girl (Ciara) and her canadian friend (Kyra) and cycled around the vineyards sampling some of Marlboroughs finest wines, champagnes and spirits.
We landed our our feet in the last vineyards as one of the wine makers was there and a little bored. So after tasting 5 or 6 of his wines, he decided to bring us on a tour - for the next hour we wandered through the wine making rooms, sampling from the barrels. It was a great treat. After the tour we helped him finish off the remaining opened bottles of wine and as a parting gift he let us chose a bottle of wine to bring home. Naturally one of the best bottles (second best actually- the best was limited edition and well he wasn't going to give us that) of wine was in our minds the tastiest and so that was ours to keep. What an end to a fun filled day.
Paynes Ford
From Renick we headed north again, along the coast road to Picton, through Marlborough sounds, which was spectacular. We had beautiful homemade icecream in Picton. We drove through Nelson to Moteuka (what appeared to be a fantastically neon town) and on to Takaka where we pitched camp in Hang Dog for the next few days. Our aim was to walk and climb for the next few days. So up early the next morning (not really) and ready for a few nice easy climbs. Then the rain came, so into the Abel Tasman for some walking. We found a lovely walk along the coast.
Up bright and early again the next morning, ready to attack the world - when I decided to look for my passport. I hadn't seen in it a few days. Searched the car, no where to be found. Ooo oh. I rang the campsite Watsons Way and all the places i could think of between there and here. No one had seen it. Not good.
I went into the police station to report it missing and they kindly put me in touch with the irish consulate. Who said unless I can get to Auckland by 5om this evening, there was no was I was flying on Monday. Not good. More ringing and double checking. Took the car apart. Definitely not there. This is not good. Rang qantas to find out could they change my flights. The girl was great and sorted it out for me.. but laughed and yup you can't fly on Monday.
Murchism
Since there wasn't anything more I could do about passport. We drove down to Murchism to see Patrick before I left. He was down for the long weekend with a gang of paddlers. We chilled out, went for coffee and generally relaxed as they paddled and then drove to Silvia Flats to chill out (some more) in the natural hot springs with a case of wine. What a way to end a trip !
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