New ventures, new experiences, New World wine.

Paid a visit to Wanaka's most exciting new business venture. Ground Up Brewing, Oli's (and Jules') craft beer emporium is up and running and brews are bubbling. So watch out for the export version coming your way in the future!

For us, the sad thing is that we will have left before Batch 1 is ready to drink.

And in the evening an Italian treat in town.

Go, on, we'll just try a couple of the puds, then. Three into four just about goes.

Now many times G was called a cowboy at work, but this new experience saw me quite apprehensive. First time ever on a horse. And 17 hands is pretty high up! Luckily, Carol who runs the riding station at Rippon had great empathy and put me on JJ who was the most careful and gentle horse erm, I've ever ridden!

For Gill and Diane this was old hat and were suitably set on a couple of somewhat more skittery rides. Apart from the two dogs who ran out yapping at us, and the nearly nasty garotting moment suffered by Gill as her horse decided to go through rather than round the tree, it was a fantastic morning.

We circumvented the Rippon wine estate, through woodlands, down tracks and by the lakeside. Great fun and a lovely late birthday present.

Then DRINK! To the Rippon winery itself for a tasting session and cheese platter in beautiful surroundings. D chose a limosine for her next jaunt in to town and we sit and relax and take in the sun. Bliss.