Pictures from the Last Two Days

These are a good representation of the past 24 hours here. Yesterday was one of those sunny days we remember as typical NZ summer.  We ran outside and enjoyed it before the rain began again last night.  When the sun shines, the light and colors are so beautiful, it's hard to remember the rain.

Here's our fillet of fresh butterfish I baked on Friday night for dinner, and the fresh spinach.  I copied a dish we had at Rock Ferry Winery and put pesto and pine nuts on top the fish.  Placed a layer of hollandaised (is that a verb?) warm potaotes on top the fresh spinach, and then the fish on top.  It turned out pretty well and very tasty.  It would have looked better with some sort of red garnish, right Matt?  But, we gobbled it up so fast we didn't notice until I saw the picture. 

Saturday morning we walked up the bush walk to Queen Charlotte College (the local high school) and watched the "seniors" cricket match.  There was a nice cool breeze, so inspite of sitting in the direct sun, we were comfortable.  Thank goodness for sun screen. 

Lunch was home-cooked fresh bluff oysters which have just come in season from the south of the South Island.  We didn't know anything about them until I saw the signs in local restaurants and grocers advertising their availability.  They are worth the price, about $1.75 each.  (Hamburgers on the grill for supper - a pretty simple supper to make up for the "gourmet" selections the night before.)

A strolll around the ferry port in the afternoon rewarded us with three antique cars.  It never fails.  I finally discovered from the host at the car museum in Blenhiem that NZ-ders love cars because no one could buy them in the sixties and seventies because they were imported only for those who had international bank accounts and were able to place special orders.  Also, the South Island  is popular for antique car lovers because there is so little traffic here and so many scenic drives  This is a Morris Cowley.  I never heard of them, and don't know the year, but is is beautifully restored and the key was in the ignition!

Here's its partner, also a Morris Cowley.  I think you might call it a touring car.  Aren't they beautiful?  Does anyone know more about these vehicles?  I'm sure you  can Google them; I don't have enough time on the cafe internet I am using.  I suppose by the name they are English.            

 This is the float plane that takes off and lands (waters?) in our harbor several times on a sunny day, and quite often on a rainy one.  It was pretty active yesterday.  At $94.00 NZ each person for a ten minute ride, I think the owner/pilot is doing pretty well.  It circles right over our balcony before putting down. 



You can see how gorgeous the colors are in the sun.  Hope you are having lots of the same. We will miss the great fresh food here as much as the wine.  Now, that's saying something.