Dad getting drunk on FREE Wine ....

We were all sitting having breakfast at 7.30am today. We were having a lazy morning so just got the Campervan sorted.

At 9.30am we went to the supermarket for some fresh rolls and then drove on the 50 towards the Hawkes Bay Wine Region.

At 10.40am we were all sitting outside the Ngatarawa Vineyards. Unlucky for us it didn’t open until 11am, so we had a little look around the grounds. The owner came to see us and opened us into the tasting barn. Mam and Dad were tasting, whilst me and Ben watched on. They got to try them all. Mam being careful had a sip and then put the rest into the spittoon. Dad just ‘skulled’ them all!! They liked a Merlot so me and Ben bought them a bottle.

Our next Vineyard was just down the road and was the 2009 winner of the ‘Hawkes Bay Cellar Door of the Year’, Salvare Estate. It wasn’t as snobby as the previous one and the building and grounds were really pretty. Mam and Dad took to the tasting again, this time me and Ben got to taste ...... they had their own vinegarette and olive oil!! Very nice with the bread they had, we nearly finished it all!! Then they gave us some Dukkah to try. A blend of nuts and seeds with spices, absolutely gorgeous!! We all left with 2 jars of Dukkah, Egyptian and Hot & Spicy .... mmmmm mmmmm!!

By now Mam was angry with Dad for skulling everything ..... ha ha !!

Our next vineyard was Trinity Hall, very posh !! Mam didn’t try anything here but Dad was up there, getting his freebies!! I even tried a red with him, quite nice it was too. We didn’t buy anything here, just walked out after checking out the building.

Mam had decided Dad could have one more winery, so our last stop was the Crossroads Winery. We were first for tasting there, so we got to choose what wine bottles to open. Again it was Dad tasting the reds. I got to taste another red as she poured two and no one else wanted it (Shame to waste!!). We all tasted the Crossroads Port and all loved it so much we bought a bottle.

After all the Vineyards we decided Ben needed something so called into the Silky Oak Chocolate Company. It smelled beautiful! You could see the factory through the window, so much chocolate! We were disappointed in the freebies here, one each !! It was so expensive too. Mam and Dad treated us to a bar of chocolate each .... mmm mmmm!!

After that we headed back to Napier (for Dad to sober up! Ha ha only joking!). We drove down to the marina and had some lunch, overlooking the water. We left the van and had a walk along the foreshore, calling into an antiques shop.

We drove back to the town centre for some bits and bobs and decided to fill up with diesel ready for the long drive tomorrow.

We’re now sitting after having tea, watching the usual telly ...... Hotseat / Deal or No Deal. Going to try and have an early night ready for an early start tomorrow. Napier to Wellington, ready for the ferry Wednesday morning.