A quick trip last week to Central Otago to visit vineyards, talk turkey with viticulturists, admire the amazing scenery, have some sensational food and share our Pinot Noir love at Feast Wanaka.
Sounds pretty good doesn’t it? There is always the odd hiccup and while our journey was brilliant we did spend several days travelling the countryside stuffed into a very small car …
I have taken an array of pics and yes you will see plenty of wood (I never used to get excited over it, something has changed).
Central Otago is a feast for the eyes and well worth a visit if you get an opportunity.
The vineyards at this time of year are hot, dry and dusty .. but the good news is the vines are looking healthy and those grapes are sizing up. More Pinot Noir is on the way ..
What was I thinking, I chopped the top of the frame off
Wooden door leading into Olivers Cafe at Clyde
Bridge over Shotover River
Solitary at Arrowtown
Queenstown Botanic Gardens
Lake Wanaka
Wood that counts ..
Next post our veg garden and that’s a promise …
Hot, dry, and dusty–I could appreciate that for a few days! Winter is settling in for the early part of our week with some chilly temperatures.
It sure was hot and dry … I can’t imagine having chilly temps. We are having a superb summer. Rained cats and dogs last night, so everything will be growing like mad today. 😀 Thanks for stopping by
Looks like you had a wonderful time. I love all the photos, especially the bridge! Speaking of wood, my blog post for tomorrow is titled “A Fence for Julie”. I think you will like it. When we were in southern France in 2013, we rented a car for a week. We ended up with a tiny little VW Up, and it had a heck of a time getting “up” some of the mountains we explored.
Oh I’m so pleased you liked the pics Tim. Ah a bridge fan? 😃 A fence for Julie! Really? That is amazing .. I can’t wait to see! Thank you so much ..
Well I was lucky to be part of the tour. Your photos Julie do it justice. Just so amazing scenery,the only time I have seen something simula was in north east Scotland but not as large! Andrew drove us to the kawarou bridge and said Dad this is one of your Birthday treats! He said I’ve booked three jumps for you! I wouldn’t and couldn’t have done one! Just to say to all the folks who wished me a very happy Birthday thank you very much. I had a fabulous one.
Hey Mr Bonner .. thank you! The scenery down yonder is always amazing. Glad you didn’t contemplate the bungy jump .. oh imagine! Looking forward to your lunch celebrations – more birthday pics on the way! 😀
wow! lovely photos. The grape shots are my fav’s.
Thank you! I liked the grape shots too … promise of more vino on the way. 🙂
As usually, splendid post !!! What a nice light in your shots !
Oh thank you so much … the light was so different to Auckland. Very bright and quite harsh … sunnies needed 😀
I too have noticed the lovely light in so many of your photos and always associated it with your farm…but seeing these travel shots maybe it’s a New Zealand aura! Glad you had fun.
Hello Miss … the light sure is different. I spoke to a wedding photographer while I was there (no I’m already married LOL) and she said that often photographers struggle with the light. Interesting isn’t it? We did have fun .. such a beautiful place to visit. But oh how I love coming home! 😀
Looks wonderful and warm, and it’s such a treat to see such fresh greenery and pretty petals
Hey Miss … it was very warm (hot :D) glad you enjoyed the pics.
been there too, brings back happy memories 🙂
Hugs Annette … glad to prompt those memories!
I would love a little of your heat not to mention Pinot Noir! 😀
Wish I could send some heat your way … and that Pinot Noir is always tasty 😀
Beautiful pics, as always. Vineyards fascinate me. Have you ever seen an ugly one?
Hello and thank you! Vineyards interest me too, especially Central Otago in winter time with mountains capped in snow as backdrops. Superb! I have never ever seen an ugly one … now why is that 😉
What a wonderful place for a visit! Your photos to a good job of giving us a taste of the area!
Thank you so much Laurin! Central Otago is worth a visit 🙂
We once had a camera (both my father and i were photographers so we shared the cameras when I was little) that we called the head chopper. Something to do with the view finder. You had to make sure to compensate or every arch and every head got partly cropped off in the negative – no saving it! Made me laugh when you commented on you doing the same thing by mistake.. I hate it when that happens. c
Ah, so I’m not the only one Celi! I couldn’t believe it when I saw the pic. In fact, I took better ones on my iPhone. Oh dear me! Nice to know I’m not alone. Hugs
Holy smokes does that area ever remind me of the central BC land where my daughter lives. I can almost smell that special dry air and fragrant pines. I love it so much. 😀 What a fabulous place top be able to visit…and paddleboarding! Miss it so much now that it’s winter. I know I could technically still get out there in my wet suit…but I’m feeling too old to get cold. Looking forward to a garden update!
Hello V … The air is very dry down yonder 🙂 Not like humid Auckland. I thought of you when I saw them paddleboarding. Just the lake and scenery for you. I bet you miss it. I’ve never attempted paddleboarding (wonder …) Garden update in progress .. with all the rain we have been having our garden is growing like mad!
Love the lake shot…. have family in the area.
Ah your family live in a special part of the world. The scenery is fabulous. Glad you like that shot. I couldn’t resist .. 😀
Lovely, lovely Julie! I love the picture of the grapes- so plump and full of promise and of course that handsome fella got my attention right away- I used to have black labs- wonderful beasties!
Hello Miss .. Oh I’m glad you think so 😃 Yep those grapes sure look promising. Not sure what breed Frankie is but she is divine .. A vineyard pooch
Hi Julie! It looks like a lovely trip. I bet the food and wine was terrific! Wonderful composition in your photos. Sure you may have cut off the arch of the doorway, but to make up for it you captured the lake with paddle boarders, the rolling hills and the rugged mountains in the background (talk about the rule of thirds), and to top it off you have a seagull in the foreground! Fantastic! I always enjoy your posts. Looking forward to your garden update. I hope you are keeping the carrots weeded and thinned!! Take care. Bob
Hey Bob .. it was an enjoyable trip! The food and wine was amazing … truly. I’m so pleased you liked the pics. Ha, the arch of the doorway .. I took a better pic on my phone. Yes but the lake with the paddle boarders was good – and a bonus with the bird flying past! LOL .. Watch out for the garden update, you will need to grab a chair for this one. Ha, I haven’t planted carrots yet .. shame on me!
How long did you wait for the bird to fly past or was the bird waiting for you Julie? Beautiful shots as always. Grapes and grumpy dogs and plenty of wood. All wonderful . thanks for sharing your journey xxxxxxx
Ha ha .. it looks like I have photoshopped in the gull (rest assured I didn’t, I can’t use PS). Funny – the bird saw me with the camera and took the opportunity LOL I’m so pleased it did. Glad you like the pics Gill – lots of grapes and Frankie who looks grumpy in this pic but just isn’t. And yes, loads of wood. Damn fine stuff 😀
I know he isn’t grumpy I should have said how lovely he is because I love him. And I know you didnt photoshop the bird. He saw you. I have no idea how to PS either. My love to gorgeous [better word] Frankie! xxxxxxxx wood and all that to you Julie<3
Gorgeous photos.. Julie! The dog caught my eye as he looks like he has had some rough days… But looks very capable,, (:
Maybe he does not look too bad just can’t tell around his jowls.. I will mind my own business…lol!
Thanks Roberta! So nice to see you here. Frankie the pooch is actually lovely, I think it was just the angle I shot her on. She is a young dog too. Blame the photographer ! LOL
No it was not the photographer.. With my older eyes I was seeing what looked like a sore…Blame my cheap glasses and then I am being mother henish tooo.. xx Sometimes I am just to overprotective…
Lovely Woody shots Julie. when I saw the pic of that bridge, I headed straight to the Jetstar sight. we are booked for early May- a little crisp I know, especially in a motor home but the Pinot might keep us warm. I haven’t been to the South island for a very long time.
Oh wow Francesca – how exciting! Phew I’m nearly speechless (most unlike me). Oh early May will be lovely and the freshness will be divine. Lots to see and do. And Pinot to enjoy 😀 I’m excited for you. Do you want to visit the Vineyard? Are you just visiting Central or will you be heading up to Marlborough? Oh sorry about the questions. I need to email you 😀
We will be visiting vineyards – many of them as we have two weeks to drive about. I am happy to hear about any suggestions – really, I would love that.( morgana3761@gmail.com)
your green world makes life refreshing here 🙂
Thank you Joshi … I’m still dreaming about your balloons.
:))
Nice blues and nice greens, Julie. This is such a great journey. Thank you ver much ^^/
Hello Francis … so pleased that you stopped by. It was a nice journey indeed, even if only a short one. I rather like those blues and greens too 🙂
Thanks for share them, they are pretty! ^^
You are so welcome 😀
Oh, Julie! This! This is where I want to be. Thanks for the tour and the inviting post. Mmmmmm … Pinot noir! Cheers! 🍷
And a bit cheers back at you! Glad you enjoyed the tour. A lovely comment as always. Thanks Janet … 😀
What a beautiful place to spend a day. Enjoyed the tour, Julie! 🙂
Hi Amy … so pleased that you enjoyed the tour! Great to see you 😀
This sounds Ab-Fab (I used to love that show)! Just look at those mountains in the background with the stand up paddle boarders, and I love the image with the bridge.
Hey Shane .. So good to see you here. 😊thanks for stopping by,
What a glorious country you live in, Julie!!! The shot of Lake Wanaka blew me away! I just stared and stared. As for all your photographs you shared a piece of your Heart … soft, precious, beautiful. Really enjoyed this post. How you manage to post a multi picture post like this with all what you have in your life, is beyond me. You amaze me, Ms. Julie!!! Have a wonderful weekend!!! Love, Amy <3
Hello Amy .. what a lovely comment. You make me feel special! 😀 thank you so much. I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the post. Wishing you a fabulous weekend too Amy. The sun is shining and it is beautiful 😀
Such a picturesque post ~ a little slice of heaven. Also, it was great to hear of your love for Pinot Noir, as my home state of Oregon in the USA has some of the best Pinot Noir wines and I like to experience different ones from around the world (and can give the ones of Feast Wanaka a try). Wishing you a great weekend!
How nice to see you here! 🙂 Gosh I haven’t had a Pinot from Oregon. I need to change that! Thanks for your comment .. I hope you had a great weekend
Great landscape photos, I love it! 🙂
Hello Josephine … thank you! Glad you love it
More Pinot Noir – always a good thing. Lovely photos. My favourite is the red flower – is it a hibiscus?
Hello Miss … I think it is a holly hock. The red was just divine! Glad you enjoyed the pics. Thanks for dropping by ..
I love hollyhocks as we used to have them bobbing about outside our kitchen window when I was a child. My attempts at growing them here have been disastrous though as they get devoured by the snails. A red one would be my very favourite!
Julie what a beautiful part of the world. I love wood too, there is something about the grain and patterns. The vineyard looks gorgeous and that old door simply stunning. Don’t get me started on doors.
Kath.
NZ sure is a beautiful country. We are so very lucky! What is it about wood? Love the stuff …So pleased you enjoyed the pics. I also have a thing about doors LOL
Those photos are gorgeous Julie – what an amazing place to live it 🙂
Thank you .. Great to see you here 😊
Good to know “Middle Earth” is as beautiful as ever. Great photos. Looking forward to more Pinot Noir. 🙂
Middle Earth never let’s us down 😀 Glad you enjoyed the pics. More Pinot Noir is on the way 😀
You may have chopped off the frame but I still love your photo of the red door! The Bridge Over Shotover River is very nice too. 🙂
Hi Julie … I still can’t believe I chopped the top of the door off. Glad you liked the pics Miss 🙂
🙂
Lots of wood, yeah! But, it looks very nice!
Ha ha .. lots of good wood!
Love that bird over the lake. It gives some 3D feel of the whole thing 🙂
Thank you ..