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As planned, we made our way north to Katakana, about an hour north of Auckland. It was an easy drive, about 20 minutes of suburbs, then 40 minutes of farmland. Compete with sheep, cows, and alpaca. The sheep and cows were easy to understand. Why alpaca? Turns out they were brought into the country since the 1970's and raised for their wool.
Our destination was the Brick Bay Winery and Sculpture Trail.
The winery and restaurant is very subdued, just the opposite of our commercial wineries. The Glass House restaurant was built across a pond. They believe in sustainable harvests, grow their own vegetables and spices, and source local meats and cheeses for the restaurant.
We arrived at 11:00 and planned to walk the Sculpture Trail before lunch. The walking trail was rated at one hour, but being photographers it took us nearly two hours. The trail meandered through the farm property and through the forested valley. The 55+ sculptures are from local artists, and are for sale (don't ask the prices!).
Lunch afterwards consisted of a cheese platter and a couple of glasses of their wines. Lunch was very enjoyable. Mary Ann loved the Merlot jelly and I loved the blue cheese.
Heading back to Auckland, we stopped in Puhoi for a visit to a local cheese producer who has won several medals recently. One medal that they were proud of was awarded to their Gorgonzola style blue cheese, very yummy. I had to pick some up, although neither Mary Ann nor Chris will go near it.
On the drive back, we took the old coastal highway rather than the boring motorway. A very pretty drive, very hilly with a speed limit of 100 km (close your eyes Ron).
For my techie friends, this was a three shot panorama, handheld, stitched together in Lightroom. Between the D800 at 36 megapixels and the three shots, there is tons of detail in there.
The plan today is to explore more of Auckland's suburbs. Stay tuned.
If you are reading this blog for the first time, don't forget to review the archives at the right side for earlier entries. And feel free to add a comment, as well as share this blog with your friends. If you have not already done so, please enter your email address in the "Follow my Blog by Email" box on the right hand side. It will be much easier for me to stay in touch with you. If you don't see a signup box on the right side, then click on the blog heading and that should take you to a webpage with better graphics. You should then see the signup box on the right side. If you have trouble signing up, send me an email at mark.girard@rogers.com.
As planned, we made our way north to Katakana, about an hour north of Auckland. It was an easy drive, about 20 minutes of suburbs, then 40 minutes of farmland. Compete with sheep, cows, and alpaca. The sheep and cows were easy to understand. Why alpaca? Turns out they were brought into the country since the 1970's and raised for their wool.
Our destination was the Brick Bay Winery and Sculpture Trail.
The winery and restaurant is very subdued, just the opposite of our commercial wineries. The Glass House restaurant was built across a pond. They believe in sustainable harvests, grow their own vegetables and spices, and source local meats and cheeses for the restaurant.
We arrived at 11:00 and planned to walk the Sculpture Trail before lunch. The walking trail was rated at one hour, but being photographers it took us nearly two hours. The trail meandered through the farm property and through the forested valley. The 55+ sculptures are from local artists, and are for sale (don't ask the prices!).
Lunch afterwards consisted of a cheese platter and a couple of glasses of their wines. Lunch was very enjoyable. Mary Ann loved the Merlot jelly and I loved the blue cheese.
Heading back to Auckland, we stopped in Puhoi for a visit to a local cheese producer who has won several medals recently. One medal that they were proud of was awarded to their Gorgonzola style blue cheese, very yummy. I had to pick some up, although neither Mary Ann nor Chris will go near it.
On the drive back, we took the old coastal highway rather than the boring motorway. A very pretty drive, very hilly with a speed limit of 100 km (close your eyes Ron).
For my techie friends, this was a three shot panorama, handheld, stitched together in Lightroom. Between the D800 at 36 megapixels and the three shots, there is tons of detail in there.
The plan today is to explore more of Auckland's suburbs. Stay tuned.
If you are reading this blog for the first time, don't forget to review the archives at the right side for earlier entries. And feel free to add a comment, as well as share this blog with your friends. If you have not already done so, please enter your email address in the "Follow my Blog by Email" box on the right hand side. It will be much easier for me to stay in touch with you. If you don't see a signup box on the right side, then click on the blog heading and that should take you to a webpage with better graphics. You should then see the signup box on the right side. If you have trouble signing up, send me an email at mark.girard@rogers.com.
Thanks for reading...
Mark
Mark
ReplyDeleteRuss and I have so enjoyed these photos and the ones posted by Chris too! What a great place to visit! Thanks for sharing