I hit the road early and stopped enroute for a coffee and savoury muffin. I had been warned there was nothing to see or do between oamaru and christchurch and that is the truth. I decided that since the weather had turned today and was raining and overcast, that this would be the better day to go to the waipara wine area! I arrived late as I got really really lost in Christchurch. It looks like a war zone in the city centre, piles of rubble everywhere, fenced off buildings, buildings half collapsed, roadworks and road diversions everywhere. It's all very sobering and sad, there is just so much damage to major infrastructure. No wonder I took a wrong turn, but a nice workman set me straight and I reached Pegasus winery at two, just in time for lunch and a tasting.

I ordered the antipasto plate as there was so much going on it sounded amazing - egg and truffle frittata, deep fried mozzarella, terrine of pork and venison with spiced cherries, Parmesan, grissini, hummus, olives, bread, homemade ricotta, salumi, and a beetroot walnut and blue cheese salad! Wow and yum! While I was waiting for this I had a tasting of pegasus' excellent wines and bought a bottle of gerwutz.

It's a small world, I mentioned I had driven from oamaru, the staff mentioned they had all of the river kitchen crew for lunch, next thing I knew bevan's wife came to my table greeting me by name and inviting me to join their private party which I did. They were such a lovely crowd, bevan is friendly and quick witted - when I said I went to invercargill he asked "why? What did you eat!?". I had to tell him my sad Cobb and co story and he said I probably did as well there as any other place in town. We discussed secret squirrel business ideas for expansion and I begged them to come to brisbane. So good to spend time with serious foodies, interesting and down to earth people. An afternoon very well spent, but the other wineries had almost all closed so I could only fit in a quick tasting at mudbrick - very impressive as well.

I got to my b and b at 6 and I love it!!!! It is quite outside Christchurch but after what I have seen of the city this is a good thing. I have a gorgeous room and bed and such a glamourous bathroom. Drinks and nibbles at 1830! -kim is an excellent cook and his cream of roasted tomato soup was so good I decided that instead of going out I would have another bowl and a cup of tea and a Belgium biscuit and have a quiet night!