Time Difference

A fully packed day today.

I was up at some ridiculously early time thanks to the mad 13 hour time difference -- 6am equals 5pm in the UK the previous day. So my morning TV selection was updates on the Christchurch earthquake or Man City v. Fulham.

I got a nutritious breakfast from downtown Kaikoura -- a Flat White and a Steak & Mushroom pie! I then did a section of the Kaikoura peninsula walk to walk it off.

It was time to head further north -- Blenheim is 120kms away and it's got the Marlborough wine region as a neighbour!

Blenheim itself was nothing to shout about. I did get to 3 wineries though.

Brancott Estate (aka Montana) -- had lunch here, no tasting.
Villa Maria -- Full tasting, lovely wines.
Spy Valley -- Tasted the whites only. Excellent Gewurztraminer and interesting desert wines (noble sauvignon blanc and noble chardonnay).

After Spy valley it was about 100kms to Nelson, where I was staying.

By the time I got to Nelson my bladder was on the verge of rupture. Consequently my first impression of the place is one of sheer relief as I found a public toilet. My second impression was equally as good.

A few interesting looking bars and restaurants.

Where I'm staying is very impressive. All in all it's the sort of place you wish your were staying longer at.

For dinner I passed up the various upmarket options, and instead I went to 'The Vic' -- a Mac's Brewery pub. I had a couple of beers and a mighty lamb burger.

It'll be an early night tonight as I'm totally whacked.