A Ride Away From Golden Bay

Kia ora, friends, from Motueka at the top of the South Island. This region is one of our favorites. There are vineyards, lotsa hops, organic growers, and occasionally even pastured eggs for sale at the gas station. Paradoxically for those of us accustomed to living in the Northern Hemisphere, it's also warmer than the southern regions since it's closer to the equator.

Spring lambs

Here's a good news story. The railway's connected. This will keep roughly 2000 trucks off the inland route (the one we drove a portion of a few days ago):
KiwiRail has linked up the track between Picton and Christchurch for the first time since November’s Kaikoura earthquake devastated the line, Transport Minister Simon Bridges announced today.

Today we stocked our mobile Rover pantry with all kinds of good food and tomorrow, weather permitting, we'll drive over the complicated Takaka Hill into Golden Bay, like a dream in its wild remoteness. Here's a link to what it's like driving there, plus my favorite descriptive quote from Fodor's:

The road into Golden Bay over the Takaka Hill rises 2500 feet before plunging again to sea level to the tiny township of Takaka. The road is a continuous 40-minute climb of twisting corners, steep drop-offs, and occasional passing lanes. Don't be tempted to check the views while you're driving.

Tukurua Beach, Golden Bay

Tonight's dinner: John Dory sauteed in butter with green beans and pak choy (blue cheese tartar sauce not shown). I'm going into fish withdrawal when we return...