Sunshine Sunday

Sunday 12 January

I took soooo many photos, my Facebook report came in two separate parts - I will endeavour to reunite the morning and afternoon in this blog!

After my early morning stroll around the campsite, we set off in glorious sunshine to visit Māpua and its charming & picturesque wharf. It was an easy drive past familiar names from previous visits - Seifried Wines, Rabbit Island. Moutere etc.

Enjoyed brunch at Alberta’s and Linus had her first Kiwi Eggs Bene of this trip - though it wasn't a 5* review as it had too little hollandaise sauce! Funnily enough Louis and I went for the Bene too, his with mushrooms and mine with hot smoked salmon - all could have been improved with a bit more Hollandaise, but the rosti base was pretty tasty! Amy's sourdough French Toast was delicious too. Next stop was pudding (!) - a real fruit ice cream at Hamish’s next door for three of us, and an outlier chocolate gelato for one of us (no prizes for guessing who) before we went wandering & sight seeing.

The blue skies and aqua green waters of the inlet were looking stunning as we wandered out to the beautiful wharf. Caroline managed to avoid her flapophobia with all the gulls and we met loads of dogs!

As it was a Saturday there was a fun market out at the back of everything, as well as the usual rather boujee and crafty shops. Louis tried on loads of hats but found nothing that met with everyone's approval, however Linus passed on the crazy cat lady cap and bought a "topless" hat for wearing with a high pony tail.

We were a bit shocked by the stall selling crazy dismembered dolls filled with cacti & succulents - not because of the offerings, but because the stall holder shouted at anyone who dared take photos and demanded a gold coin donation... yelling at one punter "F*ck off! It's not a freak show!" which was odd, because it blatantly was!!!

We splurged out on some more of the delicious salmon pate from SmokeHouse - along with a half price fish pate which turned out to be scrummy too. I bought a Turkish towel poncho/beach changing tent at the Cool Store Gallery which will be invaluable. But overall we didn't break the bank... much!

Which was fortunate as our next stop was the adorable Neudorf Winery in Upper Moutere...

Rather than do a tasting, we got a table in the garden, ordered a platter and Louis, Amy & Caroline had half glasses of two different wines with tasting notes.

On Wayne’s recommendation all three had the Rosie’s Block Moutere Chardonnay which went down a treat. The platter was so cute - a picnic basket loaded with Serrano ham, local Brie & Gouda, crackers, warm bread and bits & bobs ❤️

On our way back to Banjo, Amy found a great butcher and we got amazing steaks for dinner which Louis BBQed after a quick dip. Played cards past camp curfew and walked Linus home in the velvet darkness.