I've got a lot to thank the rain for.
No, I'm not a farmer, but I was supposed to spend much of the past few days sanding down and painting the exterior of our sorry-looking garage.
Can't do that kind of work when it's pelting with rain, I assured my wife.
Which left us
both in the happy and - given it is summer - unusual position of having nothing to do outdoors for three days.
And so we went exploring Napier, including old haunts and new experiences.
First up (her choice) was Port O' Call in Ahuriri, which is not, as its name might suggest, a blokey seaside pub but does serve fancy high tea in a highly feminine environment. There's delicate bone china, cakes and doilies. All that chattering amidst the lace can be a bit intimidating for a guy but if you are prepared to man-up for the experience, they do a lovely lamington. With cream.
Then it was off to Church Rd Winery (my choice) to taste the amazing selection from a wine-maker that cleaned up at last year's Mercedes Benz Hawke's Bay Wine Awards. The pinot gris is sensational.
The best was yet to come, and that was our first visit to Photographers' Gallery on Tennyson St. This gallery, a labour of love for photographer Shayne Jeffares and his wife Cath, is a first-class addition to the Hawke's Bay scene.
Located in the building that once housed Red Cross, Photographers' Gallery is a big, airy space in which it is a pleasure to wander and take in the exhibitions.
The inaugural exhibition featured the work of photographers Craig Potton, Paul Gummer, Craig Levers and Annaliese Hough.
It is followed by the New Zealand Geographic touring exhibition, featuring 26 large prints of last year's Geographic winners and finalists, including images by former Napier Daily Telegraph photographer Richard Robinson, the Geographic photographer of the year.
Almost as good, there is a great cafe sited within the gallery. The afghans looked amazing but I'll have to return for one. Too much lamington at Port O' Call.
