Blenheim
We crossed the Cook Strait on the 4th of July on a calm day and drove from the Picton wharf to Robyn’s brother’s house in Marlborough Heights in Blenheim. Brother David and wife Christine have a wonderful view overlooking vineyards in one direction and Snow capped peaks in the other.
We parked our Motorhome on their grass and plugged into power
As soon as we hit Blenheim we were impressed by the region, the easy going lifestyle, fabulous wines, Cherries, Strawberries and other fruits and vegetables.
The locals say “everything is 10 minutes away”. Whether you are going to the Airport, a cafe or restaurant, shops, markets or visiting a vineyard.
Access to the East Coast was an attraction too for us if we wanted to explore further south. The drive from Blenheim down the wonderful coast to Kaikoura and beyond is a favourite.
Vineyards
Our son, Matt and his wife, Amanda, joined us for the weekend to visit as many vineyards as possible in two days before they headed back to Auckland. What fun it was and a revelation to discover some amazing Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines at a reasonable price. The wines we tasted were fantastic and we discovered varieties and brands that we were unaware of. The vastness of the vineyards in any direction is mind-boggling. You can travel for 1.5hr to East, West, North or South and still vineyards await you.
I make no apologies for including another batch of Vineyard photos. What an outstanding couple of days. If you drink wine come to this region and enjoy the food platters and Sav Blanc in this region-you will not be disappointed.
Vineyards we recommend are: Cloudy Bay, St Clair, Wither Hills, Whitehaven, No.1, Nautalis and Stonehaven.
Picton Coastline
Dave and Chris took us on a sight-seeing tour of Picton and some of the lovely bays in the sounds. Access to these remote bays and communities is a challenge. The windy gravel road we travelled on was hairy.
Picton Town
There is an Art Culture here in town and evidence of that is at the Cafe’s and bars. Apart from the Ferry terminal there are all kinds of boats on show. Many sight-seeing cruises and shuttles leave from here.
Kaikoura and quake damage
It is not until you see for yourself the change in the landscape from the recent Earthquake that hit Kaikoura, that your appreciate the enormity of this change.
The earthquake lifted the foreshore so that where once was the water’s edge is now rocks pushed up by the quake. This area extends 700m out into the sea-incredible! We walked this new foreshore which was once under the sea.
Businesses are still struggling here and we found many closed. This is a tourist town and they rely on travellers for their income.
5 Comments
Dianne
Fantastic photos. Like you we were amazed at the post quake shoreline landscape. And like you we marvelled and salivated at the vineyards in Blenheim.
We recommend at day trip to Jackson’s bay (you will need to take the car very narrow roads) for a piece of history.
Peter Bonham
Thanks Dianne, will check out Jackson’s Bay. Xx
James Bonham
What a stunning view from Dave and Christine’s home, also loved your other photos. Makes the Quake seem personal by seeing it through your eyes.
Anja
Love your pics…we loved picton and Kaokoura…in Kaikoura we had our best fish amd chips ever….and lots of sealions😍😍😍😍
Sasha
Beautiful photos. My 4 year old son was so happy to find your star rock that had been hidden at the kaikoura NZMCA Park at the trotting club. He’s still deciding whether to hide it or keep it. Such a neat idea 🙂