A Day Off

What do Blenheim vineyard workers do when they have a day off? It seems they head down Wairau Bar Road and try their luck fishing.

The other day I took the dogs along the nearby beach. It was somewhere different for them to explore.  We've become a bit paranoid lately after Boo recently had her 4th grass seed removed at the vets (not all in the same year - thank goodness)!

But it's that time of the year again - grass seed season! And as much as we're careful where we take the dogs, it seems Boo is the one who attracts them. She's like a mini seed magnet!
We can't remember having dogs in the past affected by grass seed. Actually, we never knew grass seed was a threat until Boo joined the family! 
Grass seed aside we headed to the end of the road for some fresh air and a walk along the shore. 

Wairau Bar Road ends beside the sea. There's a small parking area but it was full of vineyard vans, so we found a place to park a few hundred metres away. The vineyard workers (mostly Fijians) were spending their day off, fishing.

Vineyard vans came and went. And sight-seers arrived checking out the view. Other vehicles turned up to see how the fishing was going, watching to see if people were having any luck that day? It was a hive of activity!

In the photo below, was a multi-tasking seagull ... it had one eye on the sea searching for fish and a rod nearby for backup.

We came across a flock of terns all facing out to sea, ready for take-off.

After walking quite a distance over loose stones the dogs were keen to cool down. We found a shallow pool where it was safe for them to take a dip - the sea was too boisterous and I was worried they could get dragged out. 

Just before we got back to the car I spotted a field of wildflowers. I can't resist wildflowers! And after a short detour, we were homeward bound.

We'd parked the cars around the bus to provide some shelter (Bernie's truck was behind me as I took the photo). It acted as a good windbreak as this area seems to be known to have its fair share of windy days! 
Recently we bought an awning mat from Burnsco and it's been so useful. Why hadn't we ever had one before?

At the back of the bus, our bed looks over the river. It's nice waking in the morning to the sound of rowers training and their coaches close behind in fizz boats shouting instructions.

Don't you just love summer ... especially the holidays!