EC-Rider Travels

We bid farewell to ‘The Gables’, thinking we might not return and headed to Blenheim. Our final destination is just south of Nelson, but unfortunately the road was washed away in the rains so we had to take the long way round. Needless to say, it was unbelievably beautiful. Everyone had said that the South Island was even more beautiful than the north, I could not see how this was possible, but it is on another level! We stopped in Blenheim so I could go for a bit of a yomp. Once again I started on the easy route and ended on the difficult one, up a very steep hill – it never ceases to amaze me how hopeless I am at following a map or even a mapped-out path! The wild flowers along the way were stunning including, Californian poppies just growing in the wild.

Leaving Blenheim we passed through endless immaculate vineyards all growing on the flat, flat pass running between two steep mountain ranges. The names of many we recognised from the Waitrose shelves including Patrick McGrath’s Villa Maria! The flatness of the vineyard eventually moved into a slightly more curvaceous landscape with cows and sheep happily grazing and then we started climbing again over the hills. It was truly stunning and we could not have enjoyed our drive more.

Mum is rather nifty with the map and found an alternative to the alternative route which despite endless warnings of road closures, we decided to pursue. We must have driven for about forty minutes without seeing another car or passing a house although there was the most immaculate golf-course – for who, I cannot imagine. Not an ounce of signal so there was a mild level of apprehension, but we came out the other side and hit the main road again having saved about 30mins!

Tom and Prue Todhunter live just outside Nelson in the most lovely modern house with a view of the sea one side and the mountains on the other. Tom and Mum share great grand-parents which makes them second cousins (my second cousin, once removed). We had a great time discussing the family tree and trying to slot all those we are due to see in the next ten days, into context. It was lovely to meet them and there is no doubt Tom has quite a Todhunter look. We had a really delicious supper and I am now in a particularly comfortable bed.