Here we are in the Waitaki region of New Zealand and the photo on the cover of this blog is the view outside our bedroom window. Of course it changes somewhat as the light of the day changes...but it always beautiful. Sometimes it reminds me of the mountains in Palm Springs.

Anyway, here we are at the Sublime Wines vineyard staying with Steve & Fenella and their children Madeleine and Cassidayhe. The dogs, the chickens, the horse and whatever else happens to wander in. The day before yesterday we were all sitting and chatting with some of their friends who popped by, and Pat suddenly noticed that some sheep were coming through the front gate. Seems a few of the neighbours flock got a little out of control...as it happens. Between all of us and the dogs, things were quickly under control.

We arrived here on Sunday and have been enjoying ourselves immensely. The work has been interesting and challenging putting the nets on a larger vineyard on a hill. Yes, that's me driving a tractor in the pictures, believe it or not. We're learning a lot from both Steve & Fenella because they've both been in the wine business for a long time and do everything from planting, to pruning, to winemaking to marketing & sales. Every night we're getting a chance to try a variety of wines from various vineyards here in the Waitaki region and the Central Otago region, (there's a bit of a rivalry).

I'm not going to write much now as I need to shower before dinner. It was a hot, dusty day and we finished putting nets on the last third of the vineyard. It's a nice kind of tired...

More soon as we'll be here till Friday before we move on to Christchurch.