It has become our practice to finish each trip record with a listing of highlights. So here goes:

• Riding around the vineyards for wine-tasting at the local cellar doors on a beautiful sunny day
  • A short but very enjoyable way to get attuned to the local scene
• 

  Who left his shirt at home?

  Dale leaving his riding shirt at home – and having to put up with ribbing about it all weekend

• The Green Jersey Cycles pick-up service
  • Place your order at the cellar door and GJC will pick it up and deliver to your hotel/motel – sometimes before you get back yourself
• Martinborough Brewery and Tasting Room
  • I can recommend the Vintage Gold golden ale, while Paul was taken by the Black Nectar stout.
• The accommodation at Pinot Villas
• 

  Electric fences only look harmless

  Paul’s shocking experience on the stop-bank alongside the Waiohine River

• Lunch at “The Gladders”, a traditional country pub outside Gladstone
  • According to reports the “Croque Monsieur” was particularly good
• The scenery and Autumn colours on the ride back through the Longbush Road
  • Spoiled only by the fact that it was also a very long ride at the wrong end of a long day
• Breakfasts at Medici
  

  Another day, another coffee

• Dinner at Pinocchio Martinborough on Sunday night
  • Based on our experience, deservedly rated as Martinborough’s top restaurant

And as always, the company and exercise in the fresh air . . .