Meteorologically speaking, today is the first day of the New Zealand summer. Weeeeelllllll – it was mild enough, I suppose, at around 17 degrees, but it was raining quite heavily.
After an excellent breakfast, the van came to pick me up for the wine tour and we set off. Jean had decided to walk into town for visiting markets, art galleries, shops – the kind of aimless wandering that I simply cannot stand – so a parting of the ways was a good idea.
We – the driver of the van (C J Power, known simply as CJ, two Brazilian newlyweds and me) stopped at two small wineries – Rimu Grove and Kina Cliffs – to sample some of their produce. Very nice it was too. Bought a couple of bottles at the latter. Weather still very wet.
We then stopped at allegedly “the oldest pub in New Zealand”, the Moutere Inn, to sample some of the craft beers and have something to eat. This was OK, but I have to confess that I preferred the wine….. I also got my money back on the meal I’d bought because they were so late in serving it, totally unprompted by me.
Then on to a small brewery at which we sampled yet more beer on a smaller scale. Again, OK and some interesting flavours. The weather had improved significantly by then and the Brazilian newlyweds seemed to be enjoying the beer more than the wine!
Dropped off back at the B&B and walked into town to meet Jean, who had also enjoyed herself. Result all round.
Neither of us were hungry, so we decided to defer our table at the posh restaurant we’d booked last night from 5.45 p.m. to 8.15. p.m.
Walked back into town for a lovely meal, but it was really busy, so the service was a little sketchy at times. No matter – back finally to our B&B with no real plan for tomorrow, as the weather is looking pretty dreadful (unseasonably so, we are told). Could be a day to do the washing – these things are important, you know…..
Travel Adventures 
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