With a late start and limited time we decided to test Auckland's public transport to see how quickly we could get to a wine tasting and back again. Turns out the answer is pretty quickly!
Our trusty 83 followed by the NX1 down the dedicated bus lanes had us at the city centre harbour in about 45 minutes and with impeccable timing (planned of course) the ferry to Waiheke left 10 minutes later, soon passing the iconic volcano of Rangitoto - the one that looks like a pair of lips from pretty much any direction, as demonstrated by the idiot!
So in not much more than and hour and half we were wandering the streets of Oneroa sussing out the local buses and heading off to a vineyard - well, as it turns out a distillery, to sample some of the local brew! And when I say brew I mean $160 a bottle brew!
Waiheke is an island in the Hauraki Gulf or Tīkapa Moana if you prefer, with Auckland on its western edge.
And what a fab place it is. Beautiful island with multiple award winning vineyards (aren't they all), places to eat, drink and be merry. And all accessible on public transport so no restrictions on the "sampling" (know what I mean 😉).
As it happens we have saved the wine tasting for another day as we hope to return with friends and we had limited time on this occasion. But we still got to The Heke Brewery and Distillery for a bite of lunch and a sampling of their finest lager and whisky. Which I have to say was very good - a sweet candied orange opening leading to a mouth filling complex whisky with hints of French white wine and a dry finish with almonds, cloves and vanilla. Well, that just what I think 😉. But being brutally honest (and you know I always am!) I can buy stuff at home, just as good, for roughly half the price! So a bottle was not obtained. Clearly I hadn't drunk enough of it!
So that is it for another blog. Since returning from Mangawhai, it has been mostly catching up on work for Nareesa and we have had our only day of serious rain. Gave us a chance to catch up on washing, and do the shopping. Gotta be done some time! We still managed a walk in the morning and a coffee out though.
Oh, and an early evening walk in clearing rain to our local Turkish bar for a quick beer! Its a hard life!
We expect Gareth and Sue some time today and we are heading into Auckland for a posh meal for our collective birthdays. And Nareesa is allowed to come too 😂 😉.
Looks & sounds idyllic