Marlborough Wines

After the long drive we were happy to find our Airbnb at Stanley vineyard. Approaching the property we saw two persons working in the laundry room (owner and son). Turns out that the fitting of a new bathroom had only been completed that day and they were reconnecting the washing machine. The refit expIained the paint smell. Property is large and adequately furnished for us. With wood burning stove that would prove invaluable as the temperature dropped over next few days.

We had driven to Seddon, the next village, prior to arriving to buy food for the night. What a weird experience. Supermarket catered more for the road crews (they get everywhere) than locals so food available was large packs of pasta, sauces, crisps, beer with little variety. We struggled to find anything to eat. So our meal ended as Nacho's and salad.
Strangest thing missing from this property given its vineyard location was wine glasses!!

Next morning had to visit Blenheim to sort out Bobby's phone........ and buy food. We had decided to get a local sim card and selected Sparks who had an unlimited data package that we could cancel with a month's notice. Problem was we didn't take our passport which was needed to enable a contract to be setup.. Anyway after a wine tasting we returned with it to complete the purchase. Only to be asked for our visa number. Visa's are only issued for visits of over 6 months. So the application couldn't be completed and Sparks didn't

get our custom. No local SIM for us so Bobby will have to use the temporary Pay as you Go Tesco SIM we bought before leaving.
We had been warned that winds of up to 100k were due and the temperature was going to plummet. So we then scoured the town for log's . None available but managed to get offcuts instead, (on our return Bobby found a well stocked log store on the property. Cozy nights ahead).

As we were staying in the vineyard for more than 2 nights we had the offer of a private wine tasting. After a lengthy deliberation (of about 2 seconds) we accepted. Bobby took along her hot water and smelt the wines while I did the full experience for all 6 wines. Had to be polite.
Host was very knowledgeable about his wine and the area. Very enjoyable experience. Stanley Winery is a small one with good quality wines, especially the Albarino. Told the wine is sold in Waitrose so will watch out for it on our return. Think it will be on the expensive side though as not mass produced.

Cooked Silver Trumpeter tonight. Very tasty, firm white fish. Too cold to BBQ, so had creative parcels. First of many new fish, tried and liked. Hope the rest are as good.

So grateful for the log burner tonight without it we would have been miserable. Building buffeted as the forecast high winds arrived. Fallen branches were found all over the place next morning.

Next day was bright but still cold and windy. What better than explore the area and another winery. Wairau this time for a tasting and lunch (this is a theme for our time in Blenheim). Also visited an Artisan bakery, date and ginger bread. Really tasty, we will be looking for more of these.

By Thursday we were starting to feel tetchy, not having seen the sea for a few day's. (Our outing yesterday proved unsuccessful, a village beach being too many miles from the actual village that we gave up going to it!). Headed off to the coast in the other direction searching for beaches with names such as Whites Bay, Monkey Bay and Robin Hood Bay.