Napier, Hasting and wineries

Our next stop was Napier but we got a bit excited before we reached the town when we came across a winery. It was recommended in the book so we had to stop. It was called 'Esk Valley' and after a few tasters we bought a bottle of red and got to Napier town. The campsites were a little out of the way so after a short mooch around the town and a drink we found the nicest looking site and hired bikes for the afternoon. We only planned to bike around a nature reserve but we were a bit like Forrest Gump and kept on going. We cycled into town, had an ice cream and cycled back. It was a bit windy but such a good way to get around. My bum was starting to hurt, I thought nothing of it until James rode our bikes back to the hire place and couldn't believe I had sat on it all afternoon, it was like a rock! Back at the campsite we got talking to a couple who were travelling around after their daughter's wedding to a Kiwi. They lent me some pegs so I could hang out our washing and after chatting with the lady whilst cooking they gave us a cut of venison that their son in law shot the day before the wedding. We allowed it to defrost and ate it the next day in Hastings, it was melt in your mouth delicious-yum. It was Dad's birthday so I chatted to him and Mum, they were both well but the weather in England hasn't been above freezing since they got back. I heard about this whilst sitting in shorts and a vest top with the sun on my back!

The next day we were only heading down the road to Hastings (where Lars from Fiji worked) we knew there wasn't much to do in the town so hit the wineries of Hawkes Bay. James was driving so we stopped at a few but he had to look very professional and use the spittle. The wines were really good and the cellar door pourers were really friendly so of course we bought a few more wines to add to our collection! Aunty Ann and Aunty Carol and told Gail to visit 'The Mission' so we went in honour of them. The wine was good but the setting was the best part, it was an old monastery and a lovely building surrounded by vineyards. The lunch restaurant also looked good but we refrained now we are back onto our budget. What we had heard about Hastings was true. It was a bit boring but our campsite was great. It had a swimming pool that wasn't full of children and a tennis court. We went to both in the afternoon and had quite a relaxing day after all the hard work that is involved when wine tasting.