Woke up having had the best night sleep ever (Maybe all this Kiwi wine is doing me some good). We had decided to go to an island called Waiheke Island for a wine tasting day.

The ferry left Devonport at 1pm and off we set for the afternoon. John, Jo, June and myself. The trip took 40 minutes wnd we were then thrust (by a smelly Kiwi tour guide called Glen) onto a bus. The first stop was a 5 minute journey away and to a vineyard called MUDBRICK.

www.mudbrick.co.nz

A small but gorgeous vineyard owned by 2 accountants who bought it in 1992 for $200k and 20 years later they had it valued at $46 million !!!!

The setting was superb....stunning views across the bay to Auckland - and the wine was very quaffable as well..... Sadly not available in the UK unless you try hard. anyway....3 nice glasses there

Next we went to the oldest vineyard on the island called GOLDIES

www.goldieroom.co.nz.... feels a bit like an advert ths ???

Goldies was ok... nice wine again but a bit pricey. and 2 more lovely glasses there hic !!

finally we went to a vineyard called Te whau - lovely red vintage but a tadeg pricey at $70 a bottle....!!!

By now the 4 amigos were fairly well oiled and on for a night out. We established ourselves in a fab restaurant called www.vinovino.co.nz where the four of us ordered some beer and fabulous scallops and filet steak, oh and of course as we had been in the sun most of the day we needed a little refreshment and so more vino was called for. The girls scuppered a lovely bottle of White whilst my drinking partner and I downed a lovely red.

By now we were in a singing mood.... Hurrah !!!! but sadly, the girls swithced to serious mode and we had to make our way back to Devonport, via auckland and were safely home by 9pm. Only to discover the house in complete darkness !!! Jo nearly had a fit but Bobby met us at the door and told us it was now "Earth Hour" and we had to switch off all electrical appliances for 1 hour in order to safe the planet frmo the evil emperor Globalwarming. We sat there in the dark (quaffing more wine) whilst we told each other stories of our travels and experiences - a great way to finish a superb day out drinking great wine with great friends - Perfect.