The road out of Pt Ligar

We were sad to leave Port Ligar, a stunning place at the very, very end of the road in the Marlborough Sounds.  The drive out there takes 2 hours once you turn off the highway, so it really does feel like the end of the world.  Dan and I both had an opportunity to hike around the farm property and the views from the top of Chricton Hill out looking over the various bays and the ocean were breath taking.  But, we've got a ferry to catch and more adventures to be had, so it was our time to go.  Our departure actually got delayed by an extra day because of the heavy rains on the dirt road where there had been a land slide.  Dan had been closely monitoring the road to see if we'd be able to make it out, and thought we'd give it a go, even though Tim, the head of the farm didn't think we'd make it through.  Poor Norie, she was rather stuck in the mud by the time we'd exhausted our attempts.  In the end we had to call for help and got a tow out by the farm pick up truck (one of those classic vehicles that has no windshields or doors).

Norie stuck in the mud

And here's Dan at the top of the farm road with a big grin and some seriously muddy wheels.

Norie at the top of Port Ligar

And because the drive out there was so amazing, here are a few photos of the drive back.  Not a lot of traffic on the road, but we did have a few close encounters with some live stock.

Port Ligar, Marlborough Sounds

We have just returned from 4 fabulous nights in Port Ligar at the very, very end of the road in the Marlborough Sounds.  My friend Megan had sent us to the Shand Family Homestead, click here to check out their website and it was a treat beyond words.  I should reflect and come up with some witty text, instead of multi-tasking and dealing with cranky children.  Please enjoy this collage and I'll add some more thoughts later, must go put a child in time out.

Montana Winery

Today we spent the day in Blenheim, the heart of the wine region in New Zealand, especially the sauvignon blanc.  Our first pit stop was at the Montana Winery, because I had read that they had a playground.  The boys were thrilled with the play structure, check out the photo of them in the ball pit area.  We tried to drag them inside to do the tasting, but the battle was so large that the lovely lady in the cellar door let me take the tastings outside.  It was a lovely treat to sample some fantastic wines while our children played.

Kaikoura

I know many of you are going to look at these photos and wonder how it is that we didn't stop and stay and enjoy Kaikoura.  These photos are from a 2 minute pit stop on the side of the road.  After driving along the coast for a half an hour with absolutely stunning views I finally pulled over to take a photo and honestly these ones hardly do the view justice.  We did manage to fill up at the gas station and have a quick play at a park, but otherwise this one of those amazing New Zealand locations we didn't stop at, crazy as that seems.

Camping

So I know a lot of you think we're a bit crazy to be living in a campervan, and we get that part- it's a bit cozy at times.  But now I'm starting to think we're all a bit crazy to be sleeping in the tent on the nights that we've been stopped anywhere more then one night.  The first night we pulled out the tent in Christchurch a huge storm blew through later in the day.  We had a very sleepless night listening to the wind and the pouring rain.  The second night of camping in Christchurch we woke up with a huge frost.  Not so sure this is the type of camping weather I was envisioning.

Ben in Blenheim

This is a photo of Ben helping set up the tent here in Blenheim.  Let's hope the weather keeps up, although it's expected to rain.  But one can always go wine tasting in the rain right?

Christchurch Art Gallery

Today we spent the day taking advantage of Christchurch's museums.  Our first stop with the Christchurch Art Gallery where they just opened a special exhibit of Ron Mueck's sculptures.  His sculptures are extremely life like, but the proportions are a bit either exaggerated or shrunken.  It was a sight to see.  We also took a trip to the Science Alive and the Canterbury Museum.  By the time we were done with those great spots the sun finally came out.

Pizza Night

Sunday night is pizza night in our house. Dan has perfected his pizza dough recipe to a t and it’s a meal that we can all eat and thoroughly enjoy.  We didn’t think a campervan adventure should stand in our way for our weekly treat, so we’ve packed the pizza tray and pizza cuter in our limited space.  Today we were camped at the Christchurch Top 10 Holiday park, which has all sorts of amenities, including two fully stocked kitchens.  Tonight’s pizza was bbq chicken with brie and red onion.  For those of you who want to give it a try here’s the recipe for the pizza dough.

Dan’s Pizza Dough

1 Tbs yeast

1 tsp sugar

1 cup warm water

3 cups flour

3 Tbs olive oil

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp salt

dried mixed herbs

S&P

Mix yeast, sugar and warm water in a bowl and leave till frothy (approximately 10 minutes).  Mix in a bowl the flour, olive oil, garlic powder, salt & herbs and then add the yeast mixture.  Mix well with a wooden spoon and then knead on a lightly floured surface.  Leave covered in an oiled bowl to rise in a warm spot for at least an hour.