More wine tasting

Mark joined us this morning. Or actually, we had to morning to ourselves, enjoying the view, the weather and the patio. And a nice slow breakfast. Mark almost found the direct way to Naramata so he enjoyed us around noon.

As soon as Mark arrived we sent him to Penticton to rent at bike and we got on our bikes and headed down town to meet him. Then we headed towards the wineries and started the tasting at a few of the places close to town. We did drive a bit up the KVR and ended late in the afternoon on Hillside Winery - the place we also visited last time.

They have an excellent garden where we could hang out and enjoy some wine in the sunshine. And then the haze came. First it was only visible in the distance but half an hour later we could smell the distinct smell of "fire place" in the air. The smoke from the Washington fires had arrived and they covered the sky. So instead of a sunny evening on our patio we had more tapas indoors. Fingers crossed the smoke will be gone by tomorrow.

Just love the view

Mark getting his bike - ready for the KVR

First winery stop

Cheers

Apple slush so refreshing and delicious

Buying local vegetables for our dinner

Hillside winery - still sunny

And then the smoke came. No more sun or view

Tapas

Riding the KVR trail

The morning started a bit on the wrong foot. When Mikkel tried to confirm our booking with the guy who was supposed to take us up to the beginning of the KVR trail the answer was: "No booking".

So we decided to rent bikes anyway and ride up the trail and back again. The weather was a bit cloudy but it was supposed to improve and by the time we got the bikes there was sunshine now and then.

Next small problem. The bikes had to come back when the shop closed since we were to leave early tomorrow morning. So only biking and wine tasting until 5 PM. We set of and biked the "false flat" - that is a slope that is so flat that it looks level even though there is a 2% gradient. The KVR trail is where the old Kettle Valley Railway used to run, so it is in the middle of the country side and the section we were about to ride went through the wine district. Excellent.

With a few stops on the way we managed to go around 25 kilometres up the trail before we decided that it was time to head back for a wine tasting or two. We had a stop at Langs winery and some samples there before we drove to Hillside and booked a table for dinner later in the evening. Just a few meters further we came across a place that did apple slushie - and naturally had to stop and enjoy the hot summer afternoon.

We grabbed the bikes again and Mikkel realised he had a flat tire. So while he tried to give it some first aid, Malene biked ahead to keep the bike shop open so we could hand in the bikes. Mission done.

Given that the peach festival was going there was the option to go and see the lumberjack/ chain saw show at the festival area. Mikkel and Steen went there and then we all went to Hillside Winery for the dinner. It was busy there so we sat in the garden and enjoyed the sunshine and some cold wine. Then we were lucky and got the best table on the patio. Full sunshine and lake view.

Great dinner, great wine and great company. What's more to like. A nice taxi driver took us back to the hostel. Getting ready for a long day tomorrow going to Vancouver Island.