New Zealand Trip 2023/4 Part 1

Just after Christmas 2023, we ventured across the planet to New Zealand to visit family.

The trip didn’t start too well as fog at Dubai airport delayed our arrival, and departure so that when we arrived in Melbourne there was no chance of catching our connecting flight to Wellington.

We were then told we were going via Queenstown, so quickly got into the long queue for security, and managed to catch the flight.

At Queenstown we were told conflicting versions of what we should do. Eventually we were instructed to complete the baggage security/lost baggage forms, even though our cases would hopefully go direct to Wellington at some point.

There were long queue for all of the gates, and no staff helping catch the next flight, but luckily it was delayed and we got on.

We arrived 4 hours late and baggage control was then shut, so we had no cases.

Our first stay was at my son and daughter-in-law’s for a few days to get over jet lag.

The following day we had to buy a few items as the cases were still ‘lost’.

On New Year’s eve we were told the bags would arrive in the evening, so we cancelled plans for a meal out, and ordered a take-away instead.

They turned up at 20:00, so I got to wear my sparkly top for the evening, playing games and seeing the New Year in.

The next day we visited Paraparaumu Beach on the west coast, for a sunny walk along the beach with their dogs in tow.

View looking across to Kapiti Island.

Of course, after a morning on the beach, lunch had to be fish and chips.

On Tuesday, after a lazy morning we set off to a cottage in Martinborough, a favourite village of ours from previous trips.

We dropped the 2 dogs off at a boarders, and drove over the steep and twisty Highway 2, and once we had settled in, we walked into town to the Brewery for beers and ciders all round.

After a gentle stroll back to the cottage, Ian agreed to cook dinner, while more beer and wine was consumed.

However, this relaxation was quickly put to a stop when the dog boarder rang to say the pups had escaped, and one of them was still loose.

With not long until it became dark, and knowing the boarder was set in bush not too far off the main highway, panic set in.

Luckily I had only had one cider, so leaving Ian to deal with dinner, I drove my son’s car back over the hills, and we spent an hour calling for her, until, at last, the other dog’s barking finally found her.

After a discussion on what to do next, it was decided the dogs should come with us, and they lent us a large crate, as the cottage was dog friendly, but not on furniture.

We finally ate dinner at 21:00, and started to relax again.

Wednesday morning Andy and Kelsey took the pups for a long walk, then, as it was so hot, we left the older dog in the cottage, and set off to Poppies for wine tasting and lunch.

Doesn’t that make your mouth water?

Our whole family are huge fans of Poppies wine, and we were not disappointed. Several bottles were purchased to take home.

Obviously, one vineyard was not enough, so we moseyed on to Moy Hall, and then to Colombo, where the smell of Pizzas cooking tempted us.

A gentle walk back to the cottage and played some board games.

To make a change, the next day we drove to Matthews and Boggy Pond Reserve. a wonderful, almost dystopian landscape, with lots of wildlife.

Wonderful Jellyfish Clouds

Dragonfly

Family of black swans

A goldfinch

After lunch we wandered into Martinborough to browse the shops, but sadly, the price tags were mostly beyond our range, so a cold milkshake was about all we bought.

Our evening meal was at Karahui in the centre of town, in an old Bank.

A delicious meal, highly recommend visiting here.

Friday saw us return to Andy and Kelsey’s, where we helped them with some gardening, and played more games, and drank more beer and cider and wine.

Saturday morning, we had lunch at Janus Bakkej in Lower Hutt, then went to catch the ferry to the South Island, saying our goodbyes until we meet again.

The weather was still warm and calm, so a very pleasant trip over to Picton, which is where I shall end this part of the trip. Look out for part 2.

Credit to Kelsey for some of the photos.