Day 24 Masterton to Martinborough 48km
Cycled through vineyards this morning to Martinborough, one of the winemaking centres. Brief stop for coffee in the very upmarket Greytown. It's becoming obvious we're nearing a big city now. Martinborough town is set out with a central monument and grassy area with roads radiating out from it in the shape of a union jack but the town itself and houses have a real American deep south feel about them with wide roads, clapperboard houses with big verandahs. And surrounded by vineyards. Rain is still threatening although it's dry so we are sleeping in tonight, in a little cabin, perfect mini- goat shed size.
Brief tour of wineries, interesting and varied. They are not having a good time at the moment, too much wine being produced and sales are poor. They're looking to the export market and hoping China and the Asian market opening up may help but producers are going to the wall.
Then to business. I spent a happy hour with a toothbrush, wet wipes and the NZ equivalent of WD40 cleaning the bike. No more grease spattered legs and mucky hands for me!
Early supper and a film in the poshest cinema I think I've ever been in. Wide comfortable seats, loads of legroom, real glass glasses. Broke one of my golden rules of cinema (avoid films described in the bumpf as "gritty") and saw Winter's Bone. Gritty it was. Very good but not a lighthearted watch.