Monday 3 March 2025

We left Hanmer Springs at 10.00 am in more hot weather and brilliant blue skies and headed north to Blenheim. This took us into Kaikoura first, around lunch time. Along the way, Flashy amused himself by watching the hybrid gauges charging the battery. Not that the scenery was not interesting, it was stunning volcanic landscapes, with the trees just about to turn. No, it was just a scientific interest in electronic things.

Kaikoura is right on the South Pacific coast, with amazing blue water and rocky outcrops. The road winds its way right along the coast where drivers must keep watch, or they will join the frolicking dolphins and migrating whales. Great to be here in the shoulder season, as there are a few - not thousands of RV’s and holidaying Kiwis. Got to love them though. They love their bucket hats, shorts and runners with black socks. On nippy mornings, they just put a jumper on. I’m sure they must own long pants.

Anyway, we park under a shady tree and Lady P heads off on an hour long march along the beach. Flashy feels sorry for the struggling Kiwi economy, so has a large beer in the local flash hotel while he awaits her return. Then it’s up the road to check out the fresh lobster place. There are heaps of them here. Some foolish Kiwis even call them crayfish. Well, we are at 43 south, the equivalent of Hobart, so Flashy accepts their ignorance of science.

Then, an only in NZ moment, or as Lady P says, a Camino moment. On the side of a narrow coastal road, are two caravans – and lots of people at tables and chairs. We have stumbled upon a pop up bar and a seafood kiosk selling whitebait fritters, a selection of fish and crayfish – whole and in fritters, scallops and mussels, hot off the grill, in a sandwich or on a plate. Some signs say lobster, other crayfish but despite their confusion, there are plenty of punters willing to purchase and consume on the roadside, overlooking the sea.

Of course, we stopped. A whitebait and a lobster fritter with rice and salad, on a plate at the table with a nice Chardonnay and a ginger beer for the driver – amazing even if it’s blowing a gale.

Then on to Blenheim, an hour and a half north and a bit inland. We’re in Marlborough wine country now. Close to Cloudy Bay. Our digs for three nights is a large, if not a bit dated, tourist park.  Great facilities for everything from RV’s to tents, including our comfy ensuite cabin. The park is about a quarter full. We use our leftovers to concoct a chicken Caesar salad for dinner and Flashy amuses himself killing the 13 flies that have invaded the cabin. Off to the shops tomorrow for a flyswat. Will be better than the t-towel!

Tuesday 4 March 2025

Today we awoke to a slightly greyer sky and predictions of rain. However, we are in “NZ’s sunniest place,” they say. So, off to do a Jack Reacher in Blenhiem. The first Op shop sees Flashy discard one polo fleece for a better one in green. A hunter one for sure, as the outside still had dog hairs and there’s leaves and bark in the pockets. Apparently, they don’t wash them here in NZ. We got a knife and fork and some tongs. All up $13.

Then on to a bigger op shop in the CBD, where we got two cushions for the car (low seats you see), a bread knife and an ice cube tray for $4. The Warehouse down the road produced a holder for the phone in the car and a chopping board, a laptop soft case, some large plastic gin glasses and bargain of the day – a pair of jandles for $1.49. All up $19.

Feeling satisfied, we headed to Fidelio Wine Bar to sample some wine. The challenge was to taste a mystery wine and guess its grape, region and age and if you did, it’s free. Flashy, with help from the ‘Sauvignon Blanc nose of the north’, got the grape and close to the age but the sneaky sommelier bastard produced an Italian SV. Really? They grow SV there. Apparently, in very small quantities. It wasn’t that good, actually.

So, on to the next challenge.  Flashy had a flight of Pinot Noir. Well, you could tickle my arse with a feather, they were pretty good. Just goes to show that most Australian PN’s are crap.

Still not finished with the day, we went to the Omaka Heritage Aviation Centre. Here we toured the WW2 exhibition and I’ve got to say, it was remarkable. A lot of excellent content and beautifully restored Spitfire and some used Hurricanes, Hudsons, Messerschmitts and the like. A really excellent museum.

On the way home, we went to New World Supermarket where we got a few supplies, including a nice yellow fly swat. The last of the 13 flies that remain in our cabin have been killed. I also have some nice yellow tape. So, I will find a little stick in the garden and reinforce the handle so that it becomes a Fred worthy fly killer.

Popular roadside pop up
Lobster and whitebait fritters








Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
  Thursday – Friday 25 & 26 September 2025 Thursday, we took the excellent Baltic Express train to Wroclaw. About four hours in a first class cabin. It was a bit 007’ish. Sean Connery era. Then in the light rain, an Uber to our very large two bedroom apartment in the old town side of Worclaw. After stuffing about with communications, or rather lack thereof from the 30 something, IT nerd owner living in Amsterdam, we got access by some stupid app on the phone. Flashy was clearly not amused and to boot, the friggin apartment was on the third floor 60 stairs up! Friday, after a nice poached egg breakfast, we trammed into town and joined a free walking tour. This was an excellent 2.5 hour, informative insight into Polish history. We discovered a lot about Poland and its people over the ages and took many photos of the little brass gnomes that are all over the city. Then, of course, the guide hangs about for a tip. So much for a free tour. The Americans over tipped as expected....
Read more
Image
 Saturday 1 March 2025 After an delayed flight to Christchurch, which saw us arrive at 1.30 am and a short sleep at the Airport Hotel, we picked up our hire car - a little hybrid Toyota Aqua and checked out our pet sit for the end of the trip. This involved a short drive to Lincoln to meet the owners, then on to visit Angel and Vienna, Lady P's niece and grand niece.  Then in the afternoon, a 2.5 hr drive to Hanmer Springs, a spa town in the mountains. Our little Alpine Motel is very pleasant and the town of 700 (swells to 10,000 in the season), is treelined and full of little coffee  shops and restaurants. However, it is expensive. And I expect NZ will be expensive all over. 500g of butter and I understand they do make some here! is $12. Petrol is $2.69 a litre. Dinner at the local restaurant, No 31 was very good. Tuna tartare and smoked duck and Orange Roughy with a good Sauvignon Blanc and two Pinot Noirs also quite acceptable. However, much wine research is still requ...
Read more
Image
Saturday 14/ Sunday 15 / Mon 16 June 2025 Saturday, the locals put on a band, a food truck and a brewery pop-up in the little garden at the historic house of Jason Russell. This was attacked by the British in 1775 as part of the Lexington/Concord battles – the first in the War of Independence. He was killed (good old British bayonet they say), along with 30 others. The Brits lost about the same. The house is in the main street of Arlington and still has some bullet holes from the skirmishes. Lt John Baker, King’s Own Muskets 1775, recorded,  “We were now obliged to force almost every house on the road, for the rebels had taken possession of them and galled us most exceedingly but they suffered for their temerity, for all that we found in the houses were put to death.” Paul Revere’s midnight ride was along this road and he whispered, not shouted, “the Regulars are about.” So, they say. Sunday was a catch up day. Although, Lady P took Masie for an 8km walk around the lake. Flashy...
Read more