The Real Reason We Put Kids in School

Thursday

Mark finally had a day off today, so while Ro was in school we headed for the outskirts of town and hit Mills Reef Winery for lunch. Mills Reef grows their grapes in Hawkes Bay, in the eastern part of the North Island, so they don't have Pinot Noir (Sherry's favorite) which is grown in central Otago on the South Island, but they do have some excellent Syrahs. We spent a fair bit of time chatting with the winemaker, and picked up a few bottles to take home, including some nice Vintage Port for Mark.

Sherry enjoying a civilized lunch al fresco

Feels odd to bundle up when there's palm trees around

Lunch at the winery restaurant was delicious, and we each got an assortment of wines to try. Mark had the warm lamb salad, while Sherry had the summer vegetable and pine nut strudel. On our way out the door, Sherry stopped by the ladies room. While waiting for her, Mark got the urge, too, and went into the men's room. As he was zipping up, he turned around to wash up, and who should come out of the single stall door but Sherry! Cracking up, Mark exclaimed, "didn't you notice the urinals?!?" Mark had a "D'oh!" moment of his own on the way to the winery, dinging the car's rear bumper on a support column in our apartment garage while backing up. He claims Sherry distracted him with her beauty and conversation (and that's the story he's sticking with).

Ro showing his classmates how it's done