Masonic Hotel Napier

... and wetter as we climb. After about 30 mins we start climbing seriously through native forests - and the road twists and turns and climbs and drops - it's like ten 'Cat & Fiddles' one after the other. Even so, the native Kiwis are reluctant to back off the gas and a number of them pass me at wide sections. This switchback ride, which must be brilliant in the sunshine with the right vehicle, goes on for ages before we finally ...

... peach palette - again long.<br><br>2008 Elston C******nay - Nine months on oak, "some" new. Oak dominant nose, nutty aromas. Rich, full palette, better balance in the mouth than on the nose -creamy, peachy, oaky and long.<br><br>2009 Woodthorpe Gamay Noir - Flower petals, perfume, violets. Glorious crimson colour. 60% carbonic maceration. Berries (raspberry) on the palette and hints of milk chocolate. Firm tannins and good acidity.<br><br ...

... nasty so we didn't get too close. On the ferry to Wellington a huge pod of dolphins came up beside the boat. I tried to get some pictures but everytime they jumped out of the water I managed to just miss them. In Wellington we stayed in the same hostel again and didn't get up to much because we had already done the whole tourist thing a few weeks back. Next morning we were off to Napier. On the way we stopped at the Tui's ...

... it is possible to successfully incorporate a bull fight, a limbo contest and a Maori war canoe into a children's Christmas play. I would have to question, however, having the Wise Men bungee jump onto the stage.* · New Zealand is the only country in the world that can actually get people to pay for a "Hobbiton Tour". This allows the customers to see a small door in the side of a mound of dirt (i.e. Bilbo's house from the Lord of the Rings)...I ...

Saturday Today we decided to visit Napier on the east coast. A lovely seaside 'City' where unusually on a Saturday most of the shops had shut at lunchtime! Our hostel was very nice and homely, just off the seafront. A good base for seeing the wine region. Sunday We went to a chocolate factory today (it had to be done!) called Silky Oaks. We found out about the history of chocolate in the museum and had to buy some chocolate for our long trip back to Wellington ...

... from the cricket stadium. So back to the cricket.....like the test in Wellington we ended up sitting on the grassy bank along side the Barmy Army. These England cricket fans that follow the team all round the world and will sing their heart out for the last two hours of every day usually fuelled by a belly full of beer. This time round I felt confident to sing along with this crazy group as I have finally learnt the words that I couldn't decipher ...

... We took a quick look from the rocks but it felt a bit precarious as the tide was coming in and starting to cover the small beach you needed to cross. But we were passed by a family who were just heading out with their tots in their arms! They suddenly found themselves up to the knees in a strong wave and were suddenly less oblivious to the danger. After seeing my lovely niece again in Auckland we stopped for a couple of nights at Mt ...

... museum was not quite what we expected. Instead of celebrating the possum it portrayed them as the scum of the earth. There were an array of stuffed possums in various evil -looking poses and even a shooting gallery where you could gun them down. There was also a shop with lots of possum fur garments. Apparently people in New Zealand see possums as the ultimate pests and killing them is seen as a very good thing (we ...