We awoke after both having a great sleep, which at our advancing years is not a regular event.
Martinborough is a slow starter and the two places that we had eyed up for breakfast did not open until 8:30am. By the time we arrived a few doors down the road to Cafe Medici there were already a couple of people standing outside waiting for it to open. This is always a good sign and proved to be a great indication of the quality of this eatery. We both chose the same breakfast, which is another unusual phenomena, and we hit the mark with Spanish eggs. The eggs had been lightly scrambled and piled onto crispy potatoes and then a load of tasty tomatoey stuff laden with chorizo was on top. I couldn’t finish mine, but it was delicious. And the coffee was great.
After a trip back to our room for some toileting we wandered around the shops for a bit. This village is definitely tailored to female shoppers. In fact at one shop Lance had a chat with the blokes outside and it was unanimous that there should be some chairs and fishing magazines strategically placed for patiently waiting for spouses.
I did not buy much at all as I am waiting to see what they have in Greytown tomorrow. When I say shops I don’t mean a whole lot of them. There are a few homeward and ladies clothes, bags and jewellery places a couple of grocers and a great looking butcher amounts to a few other bits and pieces. But a very nice place to wander. The village is set around a large square of lawn and trees and this has conveniently placed crossings to all sides of the quadrangle.
Hitting the road just after ten we thought we would check out a few wineries. I had called Poppies vineyard as it had been recommended for lunch. Bad luck, they were full today and tomorrow, but we intended to stop for a tasting.
Turning down the drive of Haythornwaite wines we took a right turn, thinking this was the vineyard, and had to stop for an elderly Chinese man who was tending the driveway. We could see a beautiful homestead at the end of the drive, and were feeling nervous that this may be the residence and not the cellar door. It was a relief to spot a flag with OPEN on it and we parked next to the vines and entered the house. The man from the drive arrived and chatted to us about the house which had been moved in pieces from Wellington 21 years ago. We had some tasting and offered to pay the price that was on the board for a tasting but he waved us off. After a quick visit to the toilet, which by the way was spotless, we made our way back down the drive only to find that this was a little boutique vineyard called Vynfields and not Haythornewaite at all. They also serve food and we were tempted by the dumplings as I am sure they would be authentic. But may need to save that for another trip.
Back on the road we passed people on side by side tandem bikes and then a four seater bike. Martinborough is well known for hiring bikes to go on a tour of the vineyards.
Poppies was next on the list and was just down the road. It was quite busy when we entered and we were greeted on entry and directed to where Poppy was doing a tasting. Poppy and her husband Shane were both at the helm each sharing their passion for their wine. Poppy was very passionate and took us through the steps of winemaking, right down to how many leaves are left around a bunch of grapes to get the best result. They only sell at the cellar door and appear to be very popular. As I was paying for the case that was to be sent home to Auckland (come on, I had to help them out) Lance was chatting to Shane and mentioned that we couldn’t get in to eat. No problem! A table was set and lunch ensued with a glass of their gorgeous rose. Lance is not drinking, but even his lemonade was different and delicious. At Poppies they don’t have a menu and their platters are adjusted to the seasons and what wine you have chosen to drink, so I guess I set the tone.
In the banter that had occurred during the tasting we found that Shane is also a chef and he explained the platter to us in a way that had our mouths watering.
Clutching our bellies we waddled out to the car park and were amazed by the amount of bicycles leaning up against the wall. There had to be 35 bikes. I just wonder how they are wobbling back home at the end of the day?
Toilet report! - The toilets here were photo worthy but I left my phone at the table - bugger! Entry is by big double doors and the furniture is large romantic French country.
Replete we hit the road and headed out to Lake Ferry which we thought was the lake, however it is the name of the small village on the shores of Lake Onoke. Confusing huh? At the end of the 30 minute drive we found a rugged beach that had a bar (not the drinking sort although there was a pub) or spit that divided the lake from the sea. There were loads of people fishing and I got out for a quick and blustery walk.
Back in town Lance had a rest and I nipped over the square to the museum. This entry by koha (donation) and was fascinating. It was set up like a house crammed with stuff and only a couple of rooms had roped off barriers. I would hate to take poorly behaved children in there. I poked around and smiled at some of the things that brought back memories or that I still have tucked away at home.
Lance had booked us into a restaurant a 17 minute drive away in Greytown called Pinocchio. Click here to read my review. This was a great meal and worth the drive, especially because I had Lance as my sober driver!
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