A Slice of Home While Away

Posted on by February 6, 2012
Reply
image
A wonderful short sleep after a late night out drinking with a former colleague from our DLA days of 12 years ago (just a few beers and wine then).

This am an invite for coffee and scones with RichandBernie before the long winding road to Murchison (or as it appears now to be known “why the hell are you going there”). It was really cool to catch up after such a long time, even if they have managed to escape Blighty (lucky sods) for the beautiful surroundings of Nelson.

We stopped at Mapoa on the way which was simply beautiful and of course had fish and chips (oh yeh). On then to “why the hell are you going there” through some amazing scenery (sparking thoughts and plans for our next big trip, south island on a Harley for a month).

Tonight we are stopping at the Murchison Lodge B&B which is very nice, complete with a 3 course home cooked meal. now we are talking). You even get to go for a walk to the Matakitaki river, led by the owners dog that takes all visitors for a walk (now that is a nice touch, I will start training Mr Spike when we get home).

Tomorrow up to Buller Gorge for a little zip wire fun before heading off to pancake rock.

Ate so much here.

[Posted from my super cool iPhone]

I Want Mussels

Posted on by February 5, 2012
Reply
image
Yes I know it sounds like the start to an Olivia Neutron Bomb song but on the way to Nelson we passed through Havelock, the mussel capital of the world. However you would like your mussels cooked they do it, smoked, baked with cheese on, garlic and herbs, chilli sauce, the list is endless.

Since we were in the mussel capital it would have been rude not to stop and try a few dozen.

YUM

[Posted from my super cool iPhone]

The First Rule of the Palazzio

Posted on by February 5, 2012
Reply
image
As we checked into the Palazzio Hotel in Nelson, it started to sound like a scene from a famous movie, the only rules you need to remember about Palazzio is……..

As we get told, no visitors after 9.30 (err who the hell do we know), out by 10am and don’t park in front of the garage. Forget hello or any of that good stuff, forget Fight Club, it’s the Palazzio Motor Hotel Club and the first rule is……

Beautiful rooms, naff all view but very grumpy bruiser of a woman in charge.

Tyler Durden is in charge from here.

[Posted from my super cool iPhone]

Graham’s Cousin??

Posted on by February 5, 2012
1
image
Spotted in Nelson, South Island New Zealand. Could this be Graham the herons distant cousin twice removed??

We’ll never know, sadly it’s a Sunday and a Bank Holiday Weekend here so we could not go in and ask.

Mr Fogg wants to sack the tour guide for not spotting the Bank Holiday weekend when all is shut. Ah well, you pays for what you get Mr Fogg. Now, about that tip 🙂

Currently sitting in a teeny old chapel that has been converted into a wonderful little bar waiting to meet someone we’ve not seen since 2007. We worked with him when we were still youngsters and he was merely a baby faced youth. The lucky bastard managed to emigrate here in 2002. We plan to bribe him into employing us so we don’t have to come back to the UK!!

[Posted from Mrs Foggs super cool iphone]

Interislander Ferry

Posted on by February 5, 2012
Reply
image
An early start this morning and up at 6am to ensure we got to the ferry port ready for boarding by 7.25am. This is apparently one of the worlds most picturesque ferry crossings, passing through the Cook Strait which has notorious rip tides and experiences regular gale force winds. Unfortunately as you can see from my picture, the weather today is not good for sightseeing as the clouds are low and the skies very gray. So far, the journey has been very smooth – no sick bags required!

The ferry, once it has crossed the Strait then weaves its way through small islands and rocky outcrops before docking in Picton.

Meanwhile, Mr Fogg is catching up on some zzzz’s and I’ve found the on board Tourist Info. More leaflets anyone??

We rocked gently from here.

[geo_mashup_save_location lat=”-41.2710″ lng=”174.4170″]

[Posted from Mrs Foggs super cool iphone]

Heading South

Posted on by February 5, 2012
Reply
image
All aboard the InterIslander ferry from Wellington at 7.30am. Up bright and early this morning as we jumped aboard the ferry for 3 hours (think about the state of the Holyhead ferry with the same yucky food and you are there).

Next stop Nelson after a 2 to 3 hour drive.

On a RORO here.

[Posted from my super cool iPhone]

OMG

Posted on by February 4, 2012
Reply
image
After having my mugshot done with these lovelies we found out why our bloody hotel has cost 300NZD for a cupboard, it happens to be 7s Night, of course, now we know, duh!

Neither of us knowing about football, cricket, baseball, rugby so have no idea what a 7s night is, but according to the waitress in Florentines (who found it highly amusing we had no idea) this is the night when everyone dresses and gets “fitshaced”. N I C E

For those of you not in the know this is to do with number of players in a rugger match (still don’t explain why they dress up tho, but loving the views).

Enjoying the view from here.

[Posted from my super cool iPhone]

Doggy Loo

Posted on by February 4, 2012
Reply
image
Seen in Woodsville a rather interesting roadside, seems the public loos here can also be used by Alsatians (no other breed tho).

Bizzarre but true

[Posted from my super cool iPhone]

Porangahau

Posted on by February 4, 2012
Reply
image
So this is where we stayed last night where Mr Fogg was not impressed. I loved the old house (huge) built circa 1920s and what I’d call scruffy chic (or in other words, kitted out via antiques shops and plenty of cobwebs). The owner was friendly and completely scatty but overall the experience ( minus the breakfast) was good.

This was the view from our suite ( oh yes, suite as in two huge rooms with a big big big bed in one and three singles in the other), bathroom across the hall and tea and coffee on the landing for all guests to use. This is truly the middle of nowhere! The pub where we ate was “colourful” to say the least, but the open fire in the library where I whooped Mr Fogg at Scrabble ( we know how to party!!) was lovelly and cozy.

Now to party in Wellington. Dominos anyone??

[Posted from Mrs Foggs super cool iphone]

Wellies in Wellington

Posted on by February 4, 2012
Reply
image
After a less than impressive B&B at parangahou (Mrs Fogg thought it was ok, but personally I didn’t think it was worth the 185NZD including a bowl of cereal and a scone for brekky), we spent 4 hours driving to Wellington where it’s tipping it down.

We took a trip to the Weta Cave, home of the original production company for LoTR, TinTin, King Kong, Frighteners and District 19, yet no mention of Peter Jacksons original masterpiece Bad Taste.

Arrival at the less than impressive Mercure Hotel (300NZD a night) where you need to lift the mattress out of the way to open the door(I won’t tell you what you need to do go to the loo!), sees us 10 mins from the Inter Island ferry for an early start in the morrow. It would appear all hotels are full due to a national holiday.

Tonight up in the cable car to see clouds and grab a bite to eat.

Catching the South Island Ferry from here.

[Posted from my super cool iPhone]