Prestige Lakeside Resort Nelson

... dry.<br><br>2006 Sauvignon Blanc &#8211; 2.5 years on French oak but 600l barrels not barriques, smells like an old Graves! Quite austere and a little oxidised. Good length and acidity, dried fruits.<br><br>2008 Sauvignon Blanc (barrel sample) &#8211; better than the 06 with fresher fruit and no oxidation.<br><br>2009 Sauvignon Blanc (barrel sample) &#8211; better again with grassy notes as well as good fruit, this time from new ...

... our pick up point. Gone the days of having to rush and we had plenty of time for pictures and treats along the way. The only obstacle we did encounter was the long stretch of beach where there was no obstacle but to roll up our trousers and wade across which neither of us we keen for but we had a right old giggle about it. That night we headed to Nelson for our dinner out in town although between you and I Garvo was still ...

... away to experience his randomness. Oh yeah, all this was done driving on some of the most eternally wiggly road up, over and around mountains! Ive forgotten what a flat piece of land looks like. Lincolnshire Jess is nearly in a state of panic due to being away from flat lands. The next days see us finish up on the South Island with cruising into the MArlborough sounds and some wine tasting... oh yes, I just booked a tandem for our wine-tasting transport...

... a ferry booked to the north island early the next day so that left just us with Ann and Dan. John our guide and Dale and John who managed the lodge. Another great dinner, good conversation and huge satisfaction at the end of the day. The last day was more walking but with boat rides between bays for lunch and back to the start point. We also walked around what was a Maori village but was difficult to see because time (and wild pigs) had eroded the land. I could go ...

... hours, without nicks or bruises, so I am impressed. Also, it was about the most beautiful drive I have ever done winding through the South Alps. We are in Nelson, which is the hippy beach town Mer and I have been searching for. White sand, lots of shops and markets and situated convienently 20 minutes away from the heart of New Zealand's ...

... to have nearly seen them. The rest of the morning was spent enjoying Tonga Island in rather nicer weather, as well as going into a beautiful inland lagoon. Lunch came and another beautiful deserted beach with hot pittas and salad, before we paddled down to our night spot and the point that we said goodbye to the rest of the group, bar Steve and I, Rachael and Carrie. That evening it was great to be with just 4 other people, and after setting up camp in a ...

... is when I leave for Sydney, so I can't fit any more in than I'm doing! Note to self, should have booked 6 weeks in New Zealand. On the way to Nelson our driver took us for a free tasting at the Montana winery in the Marlborough region. This was a real result for me because I've been drininking Montana wines for years! C******nay back in my RFH days (remember Sue?!) and now, having gone off New World C******nays the Sauvignon Blanc. What's more ...

... how I would be feeling about coming home when I first started travelling. I don't think some people thought I would ever come home, but I have to say at this stage I am ready to go home. I still think that NZ is an awesome country, and I definitely DON'T regret coming here....but having said that, I am ready to go home. At least at this stage, we will see as it gets even closer if I still feel the same way.

... at a retail store in town, granted I haven't been offered the job, but if I do get offered, I don't know exactly what to do. I was ready to go travel to the last places I have left to see and then go home. But if I get offered the job I could say and make a little money and then travel. That of course means less summer and no Fourth. I suppose the best thing I could do is just wait and see if I even get the job, but right now it would be nice to have a plan.

I appologize to those of you who have patiently waited for an update. I was washing my hair. Anyway, it's actually march 26th but I'm going back in time to tell you what I've been up to for the last three and a half weeks, so I figured I'd back date the entry to when I last did something touristy in New Zealand. Thank god I decided to keep a travel log for this trip, or all I could tell you is that I went for a tramp in abel tasman national park for two days. I went ...