It’s 8.15am, we have nothing planned for the morning. We actually have nothing planned until 3pm but it’s 8.15am and there is movement. Julie is also wake and wants a cup of tea…. please (big smiley face). I put the kettle. Lynn has already had a shower and is sat on the settee…. smiling. Today is the day. It’s finally arrived. Today we are visiting the Cloudy Bay Vineyard for wine tasting – Lynn’s favourite wine in the world, and where they make it. I’m the nominated driver, God help me!

But before then, I’ve been asked what our air B&B is like so here are a couple of photos.

So having spent the morning trying to keep them calm, we head for tea and coffee in Blenheim at Raupo Cafe. Lovely place at the side of the river in the sunshine. Unfortunately our waiter doesn’t understand the word Scone or Scone, depending on how to pronounce it so we end up with Tea, iced chocolate and a honey, lemon and ginger drink. No scone or cake! Certainly not going to be a 5 star google review from me on this place! And on that subject, I’m please to report that my photo’s on Google reviews have passed the 200,000 Views. Kev is still the highest with 64000+ views at St Kew golf course. I digress.

On the way back to the car, we walk through the open air market and listen to a local (young) band. Good guitarist but the rest of the band were really not up to Eric Clapton’s Bad Love. Stick to ‘Eye of the tiger’ boys.

To further distract for girls from the ever closer Cloudy Bay experience, I taken them to a chocolate factory on the way. This works as they get a free sample on the way in. Yum!

So, having had breakfast at 9.00am and nothing in between, we head for Cloudy Bay. Its 2k down the road but to Lynn, it takes forever! “Are we there yet”! We arrive, she’s out of the car…. “Take my picture”….

We’re in and seated. “Whatwine would you like to sample?” says the nice lady. “All of them!” says Lynn, trying to be lady like but with the excitement of a 5 year old in a sweet shop. Big fail.

For the next hour and a bit, Julie and Lynn try 9 different wines with lots of “Ooo, that’s nice” and “Hmm, that’s acceptable” and “Ooo, that’s very Quaffable”. I sip water, nibble on the free crackers and take pictures…..

Cloudy Bay experience over, and having bought a nice bottle of wine and a new Cloudy Bay golf cap, Lynn attempts to get in to the wrong car for the journey home.

Back at base, we have tea on the patio and they sample the newly purchased wine.

Before settling down for a snooze in the evening sun….

Thank you and goodnight!

Today was our last full day on the South Island and it has been truly amazing. We have seen some awesome sights, met some great people and had amazing experiences. Thank you South Island, you were fab! We are sad to leave you but we have a wedding to go to.

Tomorrow we get the ferry from Picton and head for Wellington.