It’s actually the morning of day 3, but already time is moving away on me! I left home early yesterday morning – 6:05 am. to be in Westport for the bus. Laurie took me in. I said a quick goodbye to the dogs, and that was it. It was still dark, so not much to see, no forest, or sea, just the mine traffic on their way to work.

Goodbye Laurie and all that is familiar. Adventure awaits.

The small bus was surprisingly full, and once we got to Greymouth, there were no spare seats. The day was magical with bright blue skies and stunning snowy peaks. Our driver didn’t muck around, and we made pretty good time, stopping at Arthur’s Pass for a much needed toilet break!

One of these days, I want to catch the train from Greymouth and go over the Pass. It is such a majestical feast for the eyes!

There was quite a bit of fog on the East Coast side of Arthur’s Pass. It was pretty thick and not much to see until we were past the Porter’s Pass ski field turn-off. Once again, blue skies, although a photo sent by my cousin, showed a dismal day in The Garden City.

On arrival in the city, I was met by my cousin Di, and once we’d off loaded my luggage and picked up her husband Richard, it was out for lunch and a coffee. I was hungry, so enjoyed my eggs! After lunch, we decided to go for a drive to Lyttleton. I hadn’t been through the tunnel in years!

In Lyttleton, we ended up at the Wunderbar. What an experience it was! My words won’t do it justice, but I’ll give it a go.  Richard ordered a lime and soda, a simple non- alcoholic drink, or so you would think. Not so. Our lovely bar maid, who I will call Brenda, as that was the sign behind the bar for the duty manager, (however disclaimer – it may not be her name), had a bit of a spin out and ended up pouring a glass of soda and giving us a bottle with a nip pourer to make his own. I had a lemon, lime and bitters – Bunderburg cause ” They make it better than I do.” Di wasn’t sure what she wanted. It was decided she wouldn’t drive, and our lovely Brenda took the decision and made UT her own –  a Margherita was the go. Di agreed. There was a bit of controversy over how to make it, Di knew what she wanted, Brenda wasn’t sure, and I had no idea. We were throughly entertained as bottles of spirits were literally tipped into a nutribullet jar with ice. Once this was completed and we were totally unsure of the outcome ( Di was looking a tad nervous at this stage), the screw lid was put on the jar. Brenda was unable to get the nutribullet to work, so I stepped behind the bar to give her hand.

The drink arrived and was poured. It tasted surprisingly good. There was plenty, so although unordered, I got one ‘ on the house’.

I have not laughed so much in such a very time or been so entertained. It was such a treat! Thank you Brenda and the Wunderbar team.

We had dinner at home and watched a feel good movie ‘ The Holdover’ which I enjoyed. Di and I sat up and talked into the morning hours. Special times.

This morning I’ve got my e-boarding pass on my phone. Woop, Woop, Today Is The Day! Barcelona … here I come!