Wine Down on a Friday

After breakfast we did a walk on the hill behind Nile Street (The Botanic Reserve) and then we set off to Waimea Estate for some wine tasting.They had had a fire last year so had shifted their wine tasting and restaurant to an interesting structure built under and around a large tree. We enjoyed the wine - including Fred's Red (Apparently Heather taught Fred many years ago)
It was a lovely day to have a relaxed lunch outside at Seifried's

Millie contemplates her large portion

Millie photobombing Jill and her platter

Duncan had allsorts of Asian flavours on his platter 

And Claudia had Marmite sandwiches.

Simon and family went back to Nile street. We went on to Kahurangi winery but they were closed. We went ot Neudorf where the wines were the highlight of the day.

In the evening Duncan and I went with Millie to see Anything Goes - and it turned out the editing meant it was quite a bit different from the version that her school did. The dancing was great, but as they were young teenagers some of their voices were a bit husky  - overall a very creditable performance.

Sunny Days in Nelson

Thursday 20th April is the day of the Photoshoot. We went over to the park where we would have a neutral background and where it was shaded, but with no dappled light. James from Tasman Photography made it a very easy experience. It was hard to get a smile out of Claudia - but of course she has been smiling ever since.

Great favourites - a shoe and a toothbrush

Jackie stayed back and relaxed while we went to the WOW museum and the Classic car Museum.

This was my personal favourite from the live show we saw last year

Far easier to see the intricacies here than at the show.

I was surprised how interesting I found the car museum - especially all the intricate mascots on the front of the cars.

A one person car

American dream

Packard

A personal favourite - that rose gold colour is all "in" these days.

Opps, but gives the effect of all that chrome!

Give it a crank Jill!

Think this was a Bonnie and Clyde re-creation.

We had a late lunch and a bit of down-time while Simon and Jackie prepared dinner - bacon and egg pie and salad.

Retirement Holiday - Our time in Nelson

Tuesday 18th April.

We had a leisurely pack-up in Picton - although Duncan decided that the meusli was tainted with the varnish fumes from when we had our cork tiles recoated and we had to throw it out. Had a stroll around the camping ground before we left.

Morning Tea at Havelock

Lunch at Tahunanui with the Haszards

Cousins get playing

The last part of the road to Nelson is quite winding, but we had a good trip through to 175 Nile Street. This provided us with roomy accommodation - even a pool with a cover which was still warm enough to use.

Landscaped gardens

The sunlounger

Open plan kitchen and lounge

The loft bedroom - Millie slept here until a mouse was spotted.

Real old Villa features in the front

Duncan went to the airport to collect the Hamilton contingent while Jill and I went to the supermarket (lovely to have her pay - that was part of the deal) and then we cooked up roast chicken and veges for tea. Duncan won the 500.

Wednesday 19th April

Claudia began the day in fine form and then spewed up breakfast which lead to a bit of dithering as to what we would do today. We decided to go for a walk in the hope that Jackie could catch up on a bit of sleep. Duncan Millie and I went and booked tickets to "Anything Goes" as Millie wanted to compare it to her school's production while the others went to the supermarket.

After lunch we sent a contingent off to do procarting at Tahunanui.

Millie, Alex, Rua and Theo put on their hairnets!!

Millie and Alex (blue helmets) with Rua and Theo in front

Theo and Rua take the back bend with Alex in front (white helmet unknown)

It wasn't long before Duncan Simon and I joined them at the large park area at Tahunanui Beach. Late in the afternoon the wind came up so we didn't play on the beach too long. Theo and I decorated an Easter cake while Simon and Rua made burritos and nachos  Simon won the 500 - another long session!

Cyclone Cook

OOOOhh I do hope the Macadamias didn't get too wet feet

The neighbours' tree was ripped out by the roots

and it fell right across our driveway.

Steve and Duncan on the clean-up job.

It went right out onto the road!