Wine tour in Blenheim

Blenheim is named after the Battle of Blenheim (1704), where troops led by John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough, defeated a combined French and Bavarian force. We stopped over to taste the wine! And enjoy a delicious lunch at the Heritage Centre on the Brancott Estate.

Good times in Wellington

It's always a pleasure to visit Jacques, Hester and young Mika in Wellington.

Sunny day in Picton

Waiting for the ferry "Kaitaki" in Picton, and start of the voyage through the Marlborough Sounds and crossing Cook Strait to Wellington. A calm sea and pleasant trip indeed.

Beautiful day in Hanmer Springs

Hanmer Springs is famous for its hot-water springs, but we were happy to enjoy the lovely town surrounded by mountains, specially dusted with snow the night before, looking absolutely stunning! We took a leisurely stroll to the top of Cone Hill, from where one has an awesome 360-degree view of the Hanmer Range and the town nestled in the valley.

Lunch with Annie

Annie's Victorian Tea Rooms in Oamaru - lovely for lunch, while Annie, the waitresses and the pianist go about their duties dressed in period costume.

Feed the fish

A lovely sunny Sunday afternoon at the Dunedin Chinese Garden. We enjoyed the duck racing with the gold fish to see who can peck up the most fish food!

Lover's Leap

It's summer and summer will not be complete without at least one walk in the outdoors (hopefully more to follow...). So this afternoon we managed to lift our buts off the couch and off we went, to Lover's Leap. Here's what Wikipedia has to say of this marvel:


"Sandymount is the name of a prominent hill on Otago Peninsula, in the southeastern South Island of New Zealand. It is 13 kilometres east of the city centre of Dunedin, close to the northeastern end of Sandfly Bay, and rises to a height of 312 metres. The eastern side of the hill meets the Pacific Ocean in a series of high cliffs and chasms, some of which are among the largest in New Zealand. Prominent among these are Lover's Leap and The Chasm, the former of which is 224 metres high. Sandymount is named for the large dunes which rise up the southern flanks of the hill to a height of over 100 metres."

From the car park one walks through a shady lane of huge old Macrocarpa trees, then past the sheep, around the hill towards the sea for a few minutes, and there you are!

Lane of Macrocarpa trees.

Dopey sheep.

Killer sheep.

Lover's Leap.

Willem.

Leta.

Hooper's Inlet.