Canadians In Motion: The Kent Monologues

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New Zealand  November 4-16, 2019

So ends our journey to the wonderful friendly country of New Zealand. Memories will include the birdsong, which welcomed us every morning and everywhere we went; the wonderful savoury pies; the surprisingly mountainous vistas; the delicious sea food; Hobbiton; the caves bedazzled by glow worms; the rolling meadows covered in sheep; the buzz of Auckland; the raucous antics of the sea birds in Dunedin; the colonial charm of Christchurch; the best WW I collection of airplanes we’ve ever seen; the delicious wines of Marlborough; the lovely cottage at Hans Herzog. 

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Our last glimpse of New Zealand, the interesting sculpture on the way to the airport. Fanfare by Neil Dawson.

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The art of the pie. I will miss all the different savory pies in New Zealand. This is our last taste of the yummy treats, half way to Christchurch from Blenheim, at a little cafe called The Cheviot Tea Rooms, in Cheviot.

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November 16, 2019 

On our way back to Christchurch to catch the airplane home. 

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Wonderful evening light on our last evening in New Zealand. What a truly memorable trip it has been.

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Last stop, Hunter’s Wines. You can see from the list that the white wine is king in this valley. The climate is very much like Oregon and Washington, where the only red wine made is the Pinot Noir. 

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Next stop Brancott Estate. The spectacular views of the valley added to the enjoyment of the tasting.

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Fellow wine tasters enjoying the lovely day with us.

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Third stop Whitehaven.

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Next stop TWR.

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Our last day in New Zealand. We take a wine tour in Blenheim. First stop, Forrest. Light whites are made in this area, sauvinon blanc, pinot gris and such. This winery was established by two doctors.

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November 15, 2019. Morning at Rose Cottage, Hans Herzog, Blenheim, New Zealand.

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The cottage at Hans Herzog. Well worth seeking out. Hans himself will bring breakfast.

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Birthday dinner at Hans Herzog. We start with a tasting then enjoy dinner at a lovely corner table overlooking the vineyard.

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The lovely cottage that will be our home for the next two days. Hans Herzog has one cottage available to rent on the Estate grounds. It's the first home Hans and his wife occupied when they moved here from Europe. Located on the edge of the vineyard, it is absolutely lovely. What a fantastic birthday treat.

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Our destination on November 14, Hans Herzog Estate Winery in Blenheim. 

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Moa Brewery gets its name from a dig near the brewery that revealed bones from this extinct flightless bird. Bring your walking shoes, you can take a stroll to the dig if you would like to.