Not sure how we tore ourselves away from the fantastic view of the vineyard Sunday morning. To look out the window & see, in one view, the bay, the mountains, the sheep, birds, flowers, vineyards......it's just too incredible for words. The wind is blowing and as the clouds move through, the view constantly changes. After breakfast we wandered through an apple orchard on the property. The entire area was once apple orchards & their flavor is in the current wine according to our host. The orchard was gorgeous, could have continued walking for hours. But, things to do, places to see & Nelson was on our agenda.
First stop, Ruby Bay for a walk on the beach. Interesting contradiction of pine cones, shells
& flat polished rocks of all colors on the beach. A few people wandering around, enjoying the beginning of spring. As we drove around this area, we noticed huge hedges ('heeeedges' in a Kiwi accent). At first I thought they were for privacy. Later Bob pointed out they were for weather - good wind blocks. They are just huge & quite dense.
& flat polished rocks of all colors on the beach. A few people wandering around, enjoying the beginning of spring. As we drove around this area, we noticed huge hedges ('heeeedges' in a Kiwi accent). At first I thought they were for privacy. Later Bob pointed out they were for weather - good wind blocks. They are just huge & quite dense.On the advice of Audrey, our hostess, we stopped at Hoglund glass. Very beautiful hand blown glass. Did not get to see the glass blowers at work just viewed their works. Everything from huge colorful bowls to jewelry. Very pretty.
Nelson is a nice city - large & lots of people bustling around. The obligatory Starbuck's (never a bad thing) and a Cathedral at the top of Trafalgar Street (the main street in town). We wandered through the Anglican Cathedral, not nearly as fancy as the Catholic Cathederals in Europe. The grounds were very pretty - can't get enough of the flowers.
A short stop at a class car museum near Nelson airport on our way back. It features classic cars from the early 1900's to a 1965 Corvair. Also woven into displays are what they call wearable art. Mannequins wearing clothing made from Qtips, suitcases, paper....interesting and a little odd.
After Nelson, we headed back to Mapua, a village near Ruby Bay. We had scoped it out earlier as a possible dinner stop. Had dinner overlooking the bay. The water is a gorgeous blue green unlike anything I've ever seen. There is a lot of movement to the water due to the high winds. The water shimmers & sparkles & changes colors as the sun moves. So pretty. We tried yet another vineyard's Sauvignon Blanc with our dinner. Again, the contrast to all the others we've tried. We're starting to know what we like....just don't know that we could tell anyone or duplicate it at home. All this wine tasting has just made us really confused!
Back to the vineyard in time for a nice walk by the duck pond. We saw rabbits (hares actually) jumping through the vines, small hawks flying above, quail wandering around making noises at 
us. The sheep were slowly making their way in for the night. We had another glass of wine in the 'tower' above the salon. A pretty little room with windows on both sides. One side overlooks the vineyard, the other the apple orchard, and sunset. Beautiful time of day.
us. The sheep were slowly making their way in for the night. We had another glass of wine in the 'tower' above the salon. A pretty little room with windows on both sides. One side overlooks the vineyard, the other the apple orchard, and sunset. Beautiful time of day.Back in our room, we sat on the patio with windows open & Norah Roberts playing in the room. Perfect ending to a perfect day.
Some observations:
Nelson is big enough for traffic lights!
Speaking of driving, only $98NZD for a tank of petrol. At today's exchange rate that's only $73USD. Nuff said.
1 comment:
$73 for a full tank of gas? Ouch, that sounds expensive. Interesting day! great, great, great! i'm loving it.
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