We went down on the Awatere and back on the Kaitaki.
It was a picture perfect day, the sky was blue, the harbour like a mirror and we knew it was going to be an awesome sailing! The two cruise ships docked at Queens Wharf was a beautiful sight when sailing out. You really cant beat Wellington on a good day!
Speaking of picture perfect .... hahahaha
Heres the boys tieing the bikes down - didnt really need to as there was no swell or waves, but its always better to be safe than sorry!
Our first stop was the Flying Haggis in Picton for lunch!
We then followed Queen Charlotte Drive all the way to Havelock. It was so hot that some of the roads were melting - tar everywhere, made it a bit slow going on the bikes - but it was well worth it and very pretty. This is at the lookout just above Havelock.
We gave Arthur a lovely surprise when we arrived. He wasnt expecting us - Wayne hadnt told him of our arrival! He was even more shocked when we said we were staying for a couple of days! Arthur turns 90 this year and hes doing really well - very energetic for a 90 yr old. Not all the cans on the table! Oh well guess it was a holiday ;)
Speaking of 90 yr olds ... recognise anyone? Like father like son! (Leenie absolutely loves this picture!)
That night we went down to Slip Inn for dinner - mmmmmm fresh juicy scallops! Wayne and Vicki on the left.
On the Friday, Wayne had organised a fishing trip for Craig so Bill and Leenie jumped on their bikes and cruised over to Nelson for the day. Took about an hour to get from Havelock to Monica's work. We popped out to her gym for a coffee and muffin - was fantastic!
Then on our way out to Ruby Bay we popped in and saw Bob - it was another glorious day!
Then on to lunch with Barbara and Fergy - Leenie was glad she'd packed her shorts! It was a scorcher! There were a few texts going back and forward to Craig - Wayne had caught a 22pnd snapper! Craig was still practicing!
Bill and Leenie got back to Havelock about 5ish and the boys didnt get back from fishing until 8:30pm! It was a quick change and down to the local for an easy dinner. We wrapped it up about 11:00pm - everyone was bushed after such big days out!The next morning we were up bright and early - Craig was particularly keen to take his triumph for a quick blast around town to at least say he'd ridden both of his bikes in the south island!
Here's the three of us heading out from Wayne's to go to Blenheim before going on to Picton and catching the 1:15 sailing.
We stopped in and saw Jan and Walt (Bill's first cousins) in Blenheim. We were also lucky enough to meet two of their girls and their families who were visiting from Waitangi Day as it was Walt's 70th birthday. The family are lovely. It was quite funny pulling up outside there house - there were three garages and it was a lovely home. Each of us parked in front of a garage and Leenie was a bit paranoid in that we werent at the right house and kept asking Bill to make sure he had the right address! Imagine three bikers turning up on your driveway if you werent expecting them - you'd be wondering what on earth you'd done wrong!
We had a lovely long weekend. The weather was perfect, the company was awesome, the fishing was great (would have been even better if Craig had caught something to keep!) the scenery was out of this world and the bikes ran like a dream. We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and hopefully we'll be able to get to do it again some time.
