Allow me to profile the stellar old men who we've encountered thus far on our kiwi adventure. I will list in order of acquaintance.

Ron, 82: jumps fences, drives his house around in a bus, builds sheds in his free time, carries things for us that are too heavy for us. He's 60 years stronger than us, not 60 years older.

John, 76: knows how to operate dvd players and weed eaters, maintains a manicured lawn, gives away soft toys

Jack, 80: walked us to our car from his room in the hospital for those with terminal illness and taught us a cool handshake on the way out

Gordon, 90: stood up to shake hands with us when we walked in the room, worked in a carpentry shed all day, only stopping to fix his daughter's lawn mower when she overworked it that day

These are only the most remarkable. But can you understand why I'm so impressed? Who needs the fountain of youth when being elderly can still be so fun?

Bud rubbing, for those of you who have been waiting on the edge of your seat, is neither fun, nor sexy. A little fun. Therapeutic in its banality. Good ipod time. It's just rubbing the buds off the bottom of the plant below the desirable vines. That's all. But it is one of many little things we learned about grapes at the Speedy's! They were great. They have vineyards of sauv blanc and pino grig grapes (as they say in the biz, ha) plus sheep and cattle and forests for timber. Plus they have full time jobs as a teacher and a social worker. Now as we drive past vineyards we say know-it-all things like, "goodness those vines need thinning" or "wow, they need to get to singling." Cool, huh?

Our week was highlighted by the World's Friendliest Cat, Dragon, who slept under the covers and purred the whole night through, and a pathetically sweet sheep dog, Meg. Dragon, we later learned was a donation from Pam's sister. He cost $1000. He was bred to be sweet. So he is really more of an amiable, furry robot than a cat. Meg is sweet, but unemployed and stunted because she was ruined on all the electric fences as a puppy. Poor thing.

Next adventure: Abel Tasman Coast Track. Then Carolyn's3 - The Remix. Then Katherine and Jodi! Nothin' but net (as they say in another biz.)