Our Visitors and the Prime MInister

The week before Eilene and Kelli arrived we had a bad Southerly blow in with lots of rain and wind.  The next day was still rainy and stormy, but by evening the sky had cleared and we had this amazing sunset sky.  The bay even turned pink.

The ladies arrived right on time last Sunday at the Blenheim airport.  What fun to see their familiar faces and to load them up in our little creaky Nissan and drive back to Picton.  It is a treat to see NZ through someone else's eyes and to share all the wonderful food, wine, and scenery with such an appreciative audience. 

Today, we are by ourselves again and there are two empty bedrooms, so if any of you decide at the spur of the moment to jump on a plane and come in this direction, we'll be here until March 31. 

We went to Wellington by ferry on Friday, leaving at 6:25 a.m. on the Interislander.  Since the port is only 5 minutes from our apartment, we ONLY had to get up at 5:00 a.m.  However, we were rewarded with an elegant sunrise going out through the Tory Channel to cross the Cook Straits to Welly.  We had previously scheduled the trip for Saturday, but saw a cyclone was headed in our direction, so sailed a day early.  It was a good choice because we were on the last ferry coming back from the north island on Friday evening.  All the later ones were cancelled due to the storm which caused a great deal of damage on the north island on Saturday.  We had heavy winds and rain, but were snug in bed by the time it hit. 

We also went on a wine tour of Marlborough wineries, lots of hikes and drove to Kaikoura to see the seals.  Havelock and green lipped mussels was a hit with Kelli, and both enjoyed the shops in Picton, Wellington, and Blemheim.  We found Jake's birthday All Blacks tee-shirt in Welly and spent most of the morning in Te Papa Museum.  Great day. 

Here's Spy Valley winery sculpture and garden.  I think we hit four wineries and had lunch in a fifth.  We were delayed because John Key, the Prime Minister of NZ was having lunch in Drylands Winery and we hung around to meet him, which we did!  What a lucky break.  He came right over and shook our hands and said how happy he was that we were in NZ.  Now, where else are you allowed to walk right up and speak to the leader of a country?  Of course, we assured Eilene and Kelli that we had set it all up just for them. 

Here's one of the maganificent seals at Kaikoura.  They were all over the rocks and beach.  He postured more than the prime minister and was much less friendly.   

More tomorrow.  The sun is still shining, so it's walking time in Picton.  We need more sun and warm weather.  Maybe there is still time for a late summer.