A year ago I emailed Eliot for advice on what to do in New Zealand, he sent me back a wonderfully detailed message and kindly offered to put us up for a few nights.
To get to the Attridge's we first had to get to the South Island. The ferry crossing was so beautiful.
As the ferry drove further out into the ocean and the North Island started to fade into the distance I expected to have about 2 hours just seeing the water and no land as I knew the crossing was 3 hours long. But up ahead I could see the South Island appearing. As we got closer I could see just how beautiful it was, hillsides of green rolled out before us. We spent the next few hours sailing thorough 'the sounds', which are basically hills of vegetation, before arriving at Picton.
We had some time to look around Picton as we knew Eliot would still be at work for a while. The marina was beautiful.
We arrived at Eliots around 4pm and it was lovely to him and Nicky again and to meet Niamh, Ethan and Arwen. We had a wonderful home cooked meal and a cup of tea which was perfect. It's the things like that which I really miss when travelling.
Friday was Watangi Day so all the schools were closed. We went for a walk around Blenheim and stopped for lunch in a cool place where we shared Nachos, curly fries and onion rings between us. It was really nice seeing their lives and the town they now live in.
We also visited Eliot's school. It was totally different to JRCS, a lot more like Coopers (the high Sch Eliot and I both went to) as all the different subjects had separate buildings rather then the one building we have at work.
That evening we played a game called Agricola, it was brilliant. There is no dice and it isn't down to luck it is down to complete skill over who wins. So probably predictable that Eliot won and I came last! I have my next game plan sorted so cannot wait to play again.
Saturday was an amazing day from start to finish. Eliot and Nicky took us to one of their favourite places. It is in the Marlborough Sounds and is called Lochmara. Unfortunately Niamh couldn't join us as she just started a part time job in New World (the NZ version of Sainsbury's). The rest of us climbed on board a small boat, probably carrying 10 people to take us to Lochmara.
About 10 minutes in we noticed a boat with people on a dolphin tour looking at something in the water. Then I saw it come out and I screamed 'It's a Whale!' Sure enough there were about 5 Killer Whales swimming around.
It was absolutely amazing, especially since its really rare to see them and in all the time Eliot and Nicky have been in NZ they haven't seen one. it was so exciting!!
We arrived at Lochmara and everyone was busy chatting about how exciting the Whale sighting had been as we headed to the kayaks.
We took the kayaks out on the water and had a good hour paddling, looking at star fish and sea cucumbers below us.
Once back on the shore Arwen took me to meet Banjo the parrot who was very friendly and climbed up my arm and across my back. Eliot came to hold him and couldn't get him off for the next 15 minutes.
Arwen took Nicky and I to the dock to try and feed the eel and get him to come out of him home below. Arwen threw the biggest handful of food in and sure enough out came the largest eel I had ever seen, it was so fat and so long it made me shudder as it came to the surface.
Arwen and Ethan took Nathan and I up the hill to see all the animals. My favourite were the pigs and the tiny baby piglets.
We had a great time playing with them.
After a lovely lunch and a walk we headed back to Picton and then back home for dinner, a movie and a game of Dixit. Another awesome game. Lochmara was such a beautiful place and we are so grateful that Eliot and Nicky took us there.
About midnight Eliot asked us if we wanted to see the stars, Jupiter and the moon. We stood in his driveway with binoculars and I was absolutely blown away! I could see Jupiter and its moons, then I looked at our moon and it was so detailed, I could see craters and everything it was stunning!
Sunday morning we headed to the local farmers market. I have always loved food markets but while we have been away we have enjoyed them even more and have said we will try and make an effort to buy more produce from Romford market and the farm shop in Brentwood when we get home.
In the afternoon we visited White's Bay and took the body boards. The sea had some fantastic waves and we were able to catch waves and let them carry us all the way to shore. It was so much fun. Eliot said it had never been that wavy there before as usually it is a really calm bay. Eliot and Nicky attempted to take out the canoes, but after about 5 minutes a massive wave managed to capsize Eliot, it was very funny to watch.
Sunday evening we had a lovely BBQ and Eliot opened a lovely bottle of Pinot Noir which was a great way to end such a fantastic long weekend.
On Monday I got up at 5.40 to go on a sunrise walk with Nicky over the Wither Hills. We started in the dark and by the time we finished, an hour later, the sun had risen. The walk was stunning. So many people were out running, walking and cycling it is just the way of life out here. It was beautiful.
Later that day Nathan and I went to two of the wineries in Marlborough. Our first stop was Cloudy Bay where it was $10 each for 5 tastings. We sat in the courtyard looking out at the vineyards and enjoyed our wine.
I took a few moments while sitting there to appreciate that the weather was perfect and that it was such an amazing way to spend a Monday afternoon, not what I will be doing for many more Mondays in my lifetime.
Our second stop was a smaller family run winery called Huia which was free to Taste several of their wines.
Monday was Eliot's birthday so we had a take-away in the evening. I also went with Nicky to Arwen's swimming lesson, the pool in Blenheim was beautiful and so clean.
On Tuesday morning we said goodbye to everyone before they left for school. It was so lovely to spend 5 days with them all, seeing their life and town and also the beautiful activities they can take part in at the weekend. Thank you guys so much for having us.