Happy drive

After putting our job search on hold for the past 2 weeks, it was finally time to get productive again. Full of optimism, we drove to Nelson, where we had already spent a few days 3 months ago, hoping to find work in a packhouse there. Unfortunately, all positions were already filled here as well, so we had to reluctantly enquire at the apple orchards. We couldn't imagine a career as apple pickers, but we were becoming desperate. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, we didn't get any work here either. We stood there puzzled, wondering whether we should drive to the Marlborough wine region around Blenheim or go back to the North Island to Hawke's Bay and thus back to the apples. We decided to go with the apples, as we had heard so many bad things about the vineyards around Blenheim that we didn't even want to try there. However, we got lost on the way to the ferry and ended up in Blenheim, and since we were already there, we wanted to take the opportunity to visit a few vineyards. And indeed, after the 3rd call, we finally found work! I was overjoyed, especially since it was an organic vineyard and the spraying of chemicals was not so bad. And because our boss made a good impression right away. Unfortunately, it would still be more than 2 weeks before we actually started working from this point on. During this time, we spent our time with several doctor visits and a visit to the emergency room. Because Toni tripped on a trip to the beach at night and hit his eye on a branch. Since the pain was still unbearable the next morning, we went to the hospital, where the diagnosis of corneal abrasion was made. After some pain medication and an eye patch, the situation was still not bearable, so the gentleman stayed in the car blind and in pain for a few days. When it slowly got better and we didn't have to go to the eye doctor every day anymore, we were both more than relieved. Until the start of work, we passed the time with fishing and lounging around because there wasn't much else to do there. When the work finally started, we cursed the early mornings, but we were happy to finally have something meaningful to do again. And behold, our employers were actually kind people. Nice people who didn't torment us day after day and push us to work faster, but even said thank you and gave us a glass of wine at the end of a working day. And so we worked in the vineyards for almost 5 weeks, up to 10 hours a day on some days, and even though the picking could quickly become boring, we couldn't complain. We met nice new people and had to realize that any wine that is not harvested by hand (but with machines) is pretty gross, because all the rotten grapes are left on them. During work time, we celebrated my birthday and a few weeks later Easter and were often blessed with torrential rain thanks to some cyclones. In our free time, we also frequently enjoyed wine, but here we consumed it in all its variations. Together with a French couple from work, we borrowed bicycles and went on a wine tasting tour at some vineyards. In addition to further, unfortunately unsuccessful fishing attempts, we also visited the wreck of the SS Waverly.

To conclude the picking season, once again a barbecue was held, and of course we were there again this time. Along with delicious food, good wine, and a human pyramid, we actually received a bottle of the good wine as a gift in the end and can overall keep our working time in very good memory. Shortly after the end of our working time, we finally wanted to continue our journey again, and so we left the South Island on a beautiful evening after almost 4 months.