The journey up the coast from Kaikoura to Blenheim was endlessly picturesque, snaking along a series of bays, complete with resident seals, moving inland to forests and farms and finally ending in Malborough wine country. No wonder the train journey from Christchurch to Picton, which includes this section, is described as one of the most scenic.
We spent a day roaming through the vines and wineries, again in glorious sunshine, sampling both food and wines. Our favourite cellar door, simply for its unique ambience, was Gibson’s Bridge. Watch the name – they are new but the wines are fine. In the first photo, note the eclectic mix of timber work bench, complete with vice, and chandelier. It all works though. Lester is looking a bit fuzzy though – and it was only the first winery!
We also visited Wairau, Georges Michel (pic. 2) for a seafood platter, Allan Scott (pic. 3) for lunch and St Clair (pic.4) for coffee and cake with some endearing chickens.
After Blenheim, Solo Senior is again solo because Lester boarded the bus for Christchurch and a flight back home, and as it happened, a size 5 earthquake while in his hotel! Solo Senior is about to confront a different challenge – the drive to Golden Bay via Nelson and the notorious Takaka Hill, a steep winding climb up 790m and then down the other side on the journey to Pohara Beach in Golden Bay on the edge of Abel Tasman national park.
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