Sherrington Grange Picton

The day started rainy so we decided to forgo the motorhome show at the Holiday Park. Fortunately, we saw most of the vehicles last evening. Partway between Nelson and Picton, we stopped at the scenic reserve of Pelorus Bridge for lunch. The rain had almost stopped so we took two short hikes. The first was into the bush crossing the Pelorus River on another long swinging ...

We had an early start for a boat trip around Malborough Sounds stopping off for a walk on Mortuara island which was a bird sanctuary for native species. The weather was not good and we were a bit worried about being dropped off in a small island with no shelter for an hour and a half before the next boat came to get us but luckily the rain stopped just as we arrived. We did a walk to the summit of the island where there were outstanding views across the ...

... the vines with the mountains in the distance. We then went to a food tasting place and tried butterscotch shots followed by various oils and salad dressings, including a delicious garlic one. We tried a boysenberry brandy liqueur and tried to ask what a boysenberry was, but the description sounded like a blackberry to me. The lady thought we were crazy not knowing what a boysenberry was. She said to us "Do you know what a raspberry is?" Of course we do! Just ...

... was free to go fishing but you had to pay for what you caught - $18 a kilo. In hindsight we probably shouldnt have had a rod each, although only I caught a fish, but it could have been very expensive!!!! I had to stab the salmon in the brain with a knife which wasnt so pleasant but I think it was worse for the fish then me!!! We then took it to be weighed and gutted and it weighed 0.875 kg! Eeep. Still, it was the nicest salmon ...

... for a walk, again the people were wonderful and knowledgable.
We had dinner that night at Le Cafe, top notch and cheap.
The next day we headed to Kaikoura.
Recommendations, The Yatch Club, definitely Sounds Connections and ask for Sam, Le Cafe, the Irish bar (there is only one). Cougar, St Clair Wairau Reserve (40 Gold medals, 30 trophies) Sav Blanc, The seafood chowder at Allan Scott, if budget is not tight the Escape to Picton, if time permits an extra day in Picton.

... similar from going to Ayr to Torquay and the equivalent weather variations. We spent a good time with Steven watching the Interislander Ferry that we will be taking to Wellington reverse into its docking space and unload cars, boats, a lorry with a digger on the back and we even saw a train go on as well! Hopefully Steven will be as enthusiastic when we make the three hour crossing on 9th! D's birthday was a low key affair, opening the ...

... consequence, David and I have adopted "Just tell me what you want me to do!!" in a BBC accent and use it to full comical effect when we are bossing each other around. Or in fact when I am bossing David around. Ahem.... When David woke up, we went for a walk before dinner. This started at the harbour leading into a hilly trek into forest which overlooked the harbour and all the boats coming and going. It was fantastic. We found a nice little café/restaurant in the town which ...

... B was beautiful, including a guest lounge. We checked in and then walked about 4 mins to dinner at The Cornerstone. Natalie tried the pork belly - a little rich, but tasty; we both decided the NZ viognier was not the same as Aussie and not to our tasting. Next, we went to the Living Room for dessert and coffee - handmade icecream and sorbet (fig & white chocolate, peanut butter, jack daniels)....time for sleeping.

Yesterday, tuesday, found me waking up in Havelock and driving to Blenheim. Stopped in to Spring Creek Vintners and was offered to work that afternoon if I so desired. So, I took my rental car back to Picton and was picked up and whisked back to Spring Creek for my first couple hours of work. Today was my first full day. It's over with, wasn't too painful, and ultimately I survived ...

... onto the ferry for that night at 10pm! We had to leave Nelson straight away to drive through to Picton to get the Ferry. Whilst waiting we found a Scottish pub called the Flying Haggis so we figured it would be rude not to go in and have a pint of Tennents for Dale and Magners for Jenny. At about 9.30pm we got on the ferry and it took about 3 hours to get ...