It was grey but quite warm as we set off towards Nelson, firstly having a drive through the Marlborough vineyards. There had been a suggestion of riding the bikes through the vineyards but since it was a bit grey, we gave this a miss. The first part of the journey was very easy and quick and we quickly arrived at Havelock, the self styled green shell mussel capital of the world! A pleasant little town but even the LLW agreed that is was a too early for flat whites.
After leaving Havelock the road climbed steeply and was quite tricky in parts (which I had not remembered from previous visits). In addition the traffic was fairly busy because the east coast road is closed as a result of an enormous landslide caused by the recent earthquake. All traffic to Christchurch is currently diverted through Nelson which certainly doubles the amount of traffic on the road.
However, we arrived in good time and the LLW expertly guided us to our first stop, the cellar door of Waimea Wineries. We met the owner when he presented his wines at a wine evening in our local restaurant The Old Forge in Storrington. We were impressed by all of his wines then and in particular that a NZ winemaker was cultivating Gruner Veltliner grapes. Those of you who ski in Austria will be familiar with this excellent white wine but before the Old Forge dinner, I had never heard of it being grown outside Austria. According to the assistant an the cellar door, some other NZ wine makers are now growing the grape. We tasted a few wines and purchased a GV, a Rose and Trev's Red.
The cafe at the cellar door produce good Flat Whites and a totally calorie free chocolate cake.
The weather was lovely now and we decided to head for Tahunanui beach which was on our way to the camp site. A lovely swim off a very good sandy beach backed by sand dunes. Luckily our end of the beach which we had chosen because it had parking for camper vans was quiet whilst the other end was busy with children on school holidays.
Lunch was served by the camper van and then we headed off to the camp site. Whilst registering the LLW noticed that there was a local cycle track built upon a disused railway line. Now the LLW likes cycle tracks along disused railway lines because they are usually fairly flat. However, this time she was thwarted! This railway must have been a cog railway because the first section was quite steeply uphill and fairly long. It did not escape her notice that having free wheeled down the other side, this would need to be climbed on the return leg. No problem and the ride was completed and the LLW was up for an additional section at the end, albeit flat at this stage.
Showered and refreshed we are off for dinner at the Boat Shed Cafe which has an impressive menu and a waterfront location. We were not disappointed; an excellent meal with bruschetta, chicharrones, west coast whitebait and too much pudding to admit to!
The LLW calmly negotiated the camper van into our pitch and we are all set.
After leaving Havelock the road climbed steeply and was quite tricky in parts (which I had not remembered from previous visits). In addition the traffic was fairly busy because the east coast road is closed as a result of an enormous landslide caused by the recent earthquake. All traffic to Christchurch is currently diverted through Nelson which certainly doubles the amount of traffic on the road.
However, we arrived in good time and the LLW expertly guided us to our first stop, the cellar door of Waimea Wineries. We met the owner when he presented his wines at a wine evening in our local restaurant The Old Forge in Storrington. We were impressed by all of his wines then and in particular that a NZ winemaker was cultivating Gruner Veltliner grapes. Those of you who ski in Austria will be familiar with this excellent white wine but before the Old Forge dinner, I had never heard of it being grown outside Austria. According to the assistant an the cellar door, some other NZ wine makers are now growing the grape. We tasted a few wines and purchased a GV, a Rose and Trev's Red.
The cafe at the cellar door produce good Flat Whites and a totally calorie free chocolate cake.
The weather was lovely now and we decided to head for Tahunanui beach which was on our way to the camp site. A lovely swim off a very good sandy beach backed by sand dunes. Luckily our end of the beach which we had chosen because it had parking for camper vans was quiet whilst the other end was busy with children on school holidays.
Lunch was served by the camper van and then we headed off to the camp site. Whilst registering the LLW noticed that there was a local cycle track built upon a disused railway line. Now the LLW likes cycle tracks along disused railway lines because they are usually fairly flat. However, this time she was thwarted! This railway must have been a cog railway because the first section was quite steeply uphill and fairly long. It did not escape her notice that having free wheeled down the other side, this would need to be climbed on the return leg. No problem and the ride was completed and the LLW was up for an additional section at the end, albeit flat at this stage.
Showered and refreshed we are off for dinner at the Boat Shed Cafe which has an impressive menu and a waterfront location. We were not disappointed; an excellent meal with bruschetta, chicharrones, west coast whitebait and too much pudding to admit to!
The LLW calmly negotiated the camper van into our pitch and we are all set.
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