Isn't this lovely? This is the view from the front lawn of the camp where my youngest had 3 days on camp. In the background you can see Lyttelton - our Port. This is where the "forefathers" arrived by ship (well, there were The First Four Ships really - one of my relatives arrived here from England on the Randolph) and where the big cruise ships and traders come and go from. It looks very pretty but is a right royale shite in winter. Some properties that don't get the sun in winter basically never thaw out!!
Yesterday we went to the Waipara Food and Wine Festival. It meant dragging the wee trolls from their pits at 8am - something only the brave and the desperate for fun would attempt on a Sunday! However, growling subsided eventually and we went on to have a great day. We went by bus with a group of friends and some strangers. Given the area certainly is not famous for its red wines, I went in early for a Sauvignon Blanc and can recommend the Fiddlers Green. It was just the thing for that hour of the day with a whitebait sammie! (OK, it was about 11am by the time we got there) Then one of our crwod and myself felt that primal urge for a bubbly. Several "try's" later we stumbled (figuratively speaking, afterall I am a responsible adult remember!!) across the Sherwood estate Laverique. Oh it was smoother than a close shave with the law and just as exciting. This wine behaved like it knew it was great and was going to get down. Dunno what you pay for it in the real world but on the day you could snap it up for a mere $28.00.....bargain!
This fellow had his strategy all sorted, I suspect he would have got there bang on 9.30 and got himself ripped by 2pm. He had his sleeping bag all set as well, what a planner!!
This si the historic Glenmark Church where the festival is held. There was also the Old Vicarage wine stall with all the other exhibitors, very nice stuff (sorry, haven't managed the toff words for wine - with me its either great stuff or crap!). The guy selling the wine was dressed as a Vicar - not sure if he was the Naughty Vicar or not.All in all, it was a restful day out. The kids were happy doing their own thing, kids entertainment arranged there and they had the strawberries and ice cream thing going on as well. The Stud was bemoaning the fact that there weren't any "proper reds" - Pinot Noir doesn't feature in his list of wines that he likes. Didn't stop him hoovering up the wines he did decide to try though!!
6 comments:
I think there's a gap in the market here Amanda for sleeping bag coats to sell to wino's and aspiring wino's at wine and beer festivals! Plus it pads them if they fall over - dual purpose!
I agree. And what a perfect day - beautiful scenery, wonderful architecture, history, culture and wine.
Of course you could remove everything bar the wine and it would still be a perfect day!
Brilliant idea Laura, lets hope no-one else gets that idea until we have nutted out the whys and wherefores!
Steve, it was a great day even tho' it was overcast. I really enjoyed seeking out the best bubbly of the day.
Sounds wonderful.
I'm glad you realised that the only way to get over your "blah" spell was to turn to alcohol. I always find it works a treat!
My children always come home really rich after wine events. They crawl around on the floor picking up all the coins and even notes that the sozzled people drop.
Thanks for being so sweet to me over the past few days - much appreciated!
x
Those are all great photos, but my God, that first one is just a beautiful place.
RB - hey, glad to help. I feel sad for what you have had to put up with but am sure that you will rise above it all and come out stronger. Thats what wimmin do!
Mike, so pleased you dropped by even tho' you have your own personal demons to deal with. I love living here, its a great place to recuperate too by the way!! All the best to you and your family.
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