Kearneys NZ trip: Wellington to the Wairarapa Jan 19 to 24

We took the commuter ferry across to Wellington city centre to meet Matts uncle Peter and his family for a fabulous dinner at the Tinakori bistro. We stopped off en route for a drink at the Foxglove - a bar which has a wardrobe you walk through to access an inner bar - great craic (despite the fifteen dollar glasses of wine sinead and nor were drinking!), see photos below.
Thursday Hugh was busy on a playdate so Sinead took us to the local shopping area of Petone. We went to a massive supermarket (Pak n Save) and an equally massive DIY shop. we checked out the local irish pub and made it home for dinner and to pack for our first expedition away from Wellington - to the wine region and Matt's home town: Martinborough
We drove there on friday - its about an hour's drive from Wellington, over the Rimutaka hills, very winding. The country here is agricultural with huge farms and thousands of sheep and cattle. Even such a short distance from Wellington the climate is very different - hotter, drier, sunnier. Sinead booked us into a beautiful traditional NZ colonial type house set in a magnificent garden with wrap around verandah for enjoying all the sun. It also had a salt water pool and i had my first swim in years - wonderful. Hugh and Emily are proper water babies and were in and out of the water all day, playing with their new floaty toys. On saturday we were invited to gladstone vineyard - about a half hour away - to celebrate Matt's aunt Jennifer's 70th birthday, where we sat in the shade of a beautiful vineyard garden and ate and drank for hours. There was a kids playground where all the youngsters played. Sunday morning Nan, Rick, Norrie and I played 18 holes at Martinborough golf course, very enjoyable - i played much better than the previous round and Nan had a birdie! we finished just in time as the rain started in the early afternoon - washing away our plans to go out hunting with Matt. He took us on monday morning instead and although we managed to climb a hill in very wet conditions, and Matt took off in pursuit of the deer - we didnt bring one home. we were glad to get back safel though as we were all soaked and hungry by the end of it. Back then today to Wellington after a lovely long weekend in the beautiful WAirarapa region. Monday night no rest for the wicked and we were all invited to dinner at Sinead and Matt's friends' place - Mark and Annette. They live on the waterfront in Eastbourne in a home with most spectacular views of Wellington harbour. The hospitality was second to none and gorgeous food. Great craic there, hopefully we will se them again before the holiday is over. Tuesday we managed to squeeze in another round of golf at Boulcott Farm GC with Nan and Rick - at the same time as HUghie was having golf lessons, he seems to be taking to it. The afternoon was spent getting everything ready for our trip to Queenstown - before taking Sinead out for dinner to celebrate her 40th birthday. We dined at the Cobar - a terrific spot with spectacular seaviews in days bay.