-
Second Day in Nelson
Suitably rested we were eager and ready for our second day in Nelson where I was visiting with a small group of New Zealand wine writers for a couple of days. Our first day was an eye opener for me and I was enjoying learning about this small New Zealand wine region. What a bright start to our second…
-
Statues and Spanish Grapes film in London
The day was appropriately hot and sunny to attend a special screening of Zev Robinson’s Spanish Grapes film as well as see some sights in the heart of London on my walk to the venue. St Paul’s was thronged with tourists with city workers and tourists enjoying the sunshine and the public statues which appear…
-
A visit to Millton
For 30 years Millton Vineyards & Winery’s grapes have been grown in the traditional manner using biodynamic techniques. It was our first time in Gisborne, NZ’s third largest producer, and our first visit was to the Millton Vineyards and Winery to meet James Millton and his wife Annie. I have met James on several occasions…
-
An Eye on Nelson
There is a beautiful little corner in the north of the south island of New Zealand, one of so many gorgeous regions of this wonderful country which I visited with a small group of New Zealand wine writers for a couple of days to keep an eye on Nelson. Nelson is one of the smallest wine…
-
Takapuna Sculpture Onshore
During our few months in New Zealand we have discovered a national fondness for sculptures and sculpture parks. Perhaps because it is easier to share your choice of art if it’s on show in your garden or park. And New Zealand is a country that embraces the outdoors! So the other day I took the…
-
A Day in Wellington
“I love this city, the hills, the harbour the wind that blasts through it. I love the life and pulse and activity, and the warm decrepitude…there’s always an edge here that one must walk which is sharp and precarious, requiring vigilance.” So wrote Patricia Grace, award-winning New Zealand Maori author, about her home town of Wellington…
-
Medal Winning Wines in Auckland
Last week I attended a small tasting of Medal Winning Wines in Auckland. When I am in the UK I do try to spend a few days every year in deepest Sussex, wine judging for the IWSC. So it was good to see how the wines fared in New Zealand. The International Wine and Spirit Competition was…
-
Auckland Botanic Gardens
How fair is a garden amid the trials and passions of existence. ~Benjamin Disraeli Mr Disraeli sounds a tad gloomy but when you work a 5-day week the weekends do become rather special and looked forward to. Huakaiwaka, the Garden’s Visitor Centre So on an overcast, rainy Saturday a couple of weeks ago we drove the…
-
Rocking It in Raglan
Kiaora Bro! Hello! A Maori greeting emblazoned on the wall which matches the welcome from the friendly staff at this great little cafe in Raglan. We were staying with good friends who live near the little coastal town of Raglan, which has a laidback atmosphere because of several good surfing beaches nearby. After an invigorating, blustery walk along the beach we’d…