Kisses under the Wooing Tree!

Today’s 250 k journey to our next destination was really interesting…first we passed the A.J.Hackett Bungy jumping site…it’s where the first commercial Bungy jumping took place…it’s a long drop and quite a sight to behold!

From there the landscape changed dramatically as we travelled through the vineyards in the Gibbston Valley. This area of Central Otago produces Pinot Noir and other cold climate varieties.

The next stop was Cromwell, one of NZ’s leading fruit growing areas. There are many roadside stalls selling local stone fruit and we bought some beautiful apricots directly from the farm. Not far down the road, opposite the ‘Big Fruit Sculpture’ we were delighted to find the Wooing Tree Vineyard…there was lots of kissing under the wooing tree!

Some of these photos were taken by mum with her first digital camera…a Christmas gift from dad. We have all been very impressed with the photos she’s taken and how she’s picked up on all it’s features without any drama…she was initially very reluctant to move away from using good old-fashioned film but is now a convert to digital photography.

At first we thought 10:15am was a bit early for a wine-tasting but mum, dad and I succumbed to temptation…Andrew being the designated driver just tried the odd sip. We enjoyed sampling the wines on offer…the Pinot Noir is their award winning wine and it really is delicious. After purchasing some wine we set off along the ‘Lindis Pass’ climbing through rocky gorges before reaching the tussock-covered hills of the summit and down into the town of Omarama…it has gained a worldwide reputation for gliding because of its strong northwest thermal up draughts.

About 10 k’s west of the town are the Clay Cliffs, 
a set of steep high pinnacles, 

separated by deep narrow ravines.

  

Next stop ‘High Country Salmon’…floating on the glacial waters
 of the Wairepo Arm, just south of Twizel. 

The shop sells whole fish, fillets, smoked salmon and sashimi.

We also took the opportunity to feed the fish. The salmon were very aware of our movements and as soon as we threw food they rushed to be in the right spot waiting for it to land!

We’re staying in Twizel tonight…the town was built in 1969 as a construction town for the Upper Waitaki hydro-electric development scheme. Our accommodation tonight is clean and comfortable but stuck in a time warp…it’s very 70’s!

Dining at ‘Poppies’ this evening was sensational…without a doubt the best meal we’ve had on this trip. The restaurant is not glamorous but our waiter was very handsome and has a divine French accent!

I’ll leave you tonight with our choices from the menu...

Dad 

Lamb rack, pan roasted to medium rare, served on mushy peas with 
rosemary potato rosti, beetroot chutney & pinot noir jus.

Mum 

Filleted Sole on a chargrilled courgette & feta risotto with hollandaise sauce.

Andrew 

Wild venison pie, slowly cooked in a red wine sauce with red currants, 

roasted garlic, herbs and onions,topped with a puff pastry lid.

Me 

crispy pork belly served on bay infused potato mash 
with Pinot Noir jus & salsa verde.

We also shared seasonal vegetables with aoli and a bottle of wine 

from the Lone Hill vineyard in the Waitaku Valley.