Lunch at Wairau Winery

Lovely lunch today at Wairau River Winery in Marlborough wine country.  Resolved the email issue with a computer guy in Blenheim, visited the very nice big grocery store there, and celebrated with a glass of SB and excellent fresh food which appears to be the signature of winery restaurants.  We've eaten in three so far (Wairau, Allan Scott, and Hunter) and have been greatly impressed!  Guess we'll have to try them all. 

I have a lot of catching up to do on this blog, and hope I can download a photo or two with this one. (Sorry, just tried but after 15 minutes my picture of a double rainbow on the harbor still hadn't loaded.)  I'll have to try another process. Our internet connection is not strong, but it may be the best I can do. 

We've done all the major walks in the area, including a three-hour one yesterday out to the end of The Snout, which is a long peninsula extending into the Marlborough Sound from Picton.  There are lots of people walking the trails, even young girls alone.  Surprising that no one is at all concerned about "safety" issues.  Some of the high school age girls are even running - must be track athletes.  Today is the first day of the new school year. 

It's so nice living in town and right on the harbor.  We see the Wellington ferry coming and going several times a day, the train comes and goes to Christchurch, and the water taxis run in and out to the Queen Charlotte Track.  There are fishing boats going in and out, a sailing school in operation, and various privately owned boats tied to the docks.  Today I see a jet boat in harbor.  The float plane lands in our "front yard," right in the middle of all the other water activity.  Our park is full of tourists, children playing, and back-packers on their way.  It's fun to see it all from our balcony. 

Also, how nice to have a grocery store two blocks up the street.  "Oh, honey, would you pop down the street and pick up a nice pinot noir for dinner?"  No problem. 

The weather has been cool.  It's nice for hiking, but it's pretty cool for sitting out yet.  Everyone says February is the warmest month.  We've had two "Southerlies" with lots of wind, clouds, and temperatures in the low 40's.  They blow through in about 12 hours.  Then, there's sunny days, blue skies, and cool breezes again. 

Until I can resolve the photo issues, you'll have to imagine paradise on a Pacific Island with the nicest people you've ever met, and Bill, too.