Cape Palliser and Vineyards - Martinborough , New Zealand
Martinborough , New Zealand
Drove just over an hour to Cape Palliser this morning. Cape Palliser is the southernmost point of the North Island and is further south than Nelson and Blenheim at the top of the South Island. It is home to the Cape Palliser Lighthouse and a permanent fur seal colony. The lighthouse is now electric and there are 250 almost ladder like steps to climb from the shoreline to the lighthouse. It was hard work, not only getting up, but well worth it. My legs did a bit of wobbling afterwards. I was worried I might not be able to run in a hurry if the fur seals turned nasty. The seals were totally unconcerned about us walking on the beach. They are quite doglike in their behaviour, shaking water everywhere when coming out of the sea, barking and scratching. The small settlement of Ngawi is situated near Cape Palliser. The main income comes from crayfish fishing. 20 to 30 fishing boats are pushed into the sea on their trailers by bulldozers. We drove back to Martinborough for a late lunch at one of the vineyards then sampled and purchased at several others. We then had a look at Lake Wairarapa, a big inland lake. Nothing happening there - totally undeveloped - no housing, no boat ramp - nothing. Have had several mojitos on the hotel terrace (almost as good as those we had in Washington) while watching Te Radar film a segment in the square. He must be making a hash of it as we've been sitting here for over and hour now.