Whirlwind tour of New Zealand with the Hartshorn family Jan 2013

It was crazy but we decided we'd swoop Mac and Jennifer Hartshorn and their two girls, Madelaine and Cameron up from their flight in from Sydney and zoom them straight into camp mode two hours north at Pip's family beach property.

I know they thought it was insane, our travelers were tired after Christmas in Aus and New Year celebrations the day before, but the looks on their faces when they saw the beach campsite was worth the pain.

We took 5 days to chill out at the beach, sadly the weather did not play ball. A chill wind blew from the south and I doled out winter merino layers and scarves to our North Americans who were expecting balmier climes.

Fresh oysters, picked by yours truly and shucked by Pip and the girls washed down by champers and other good things made up for any discomfit. So did waking up just feet from the seashore, even the seabirds keeping up their chorus day and night didn't phase our guests.

Our adventures south began with a quick overnight at our Stratus apartment and a night time recce of the Wyndham quarter and Viaduct. Next morning saw us board the first flight to Queenstown and after another whirl around that village we boarded the Earnslaw for the trip down to Walter Peak Station. I'd been there nearly forty years ago and was kind of disappointed that it was no longer a station but a show farm for tourists. That said it's still beautiful, nestled under the towering peaks and the sheep are still sheep needed all the same care. We lunched there, saw the farm show and headed back to QT on the ancient steamship.

Next stop, Te Anau, to overnight before heading down to Milford where we were to have a night out on the sound in a sailing ship. Before that we enjoyed the charming garden at our accommodation, ate fantastic food in Te Anau that night and hopped on board the morning cruise across the mirror calm lake to the Glow worm caves. It was hard not to marvel at the fresh snow on the peaks, shining clearly in the morning sunshine.

Grabbing sandwiches from the local shop Pip steered our 7 seater down the road to Milford Sound.

We were stunned by the beauty of the beech trees lining the road, the Mirror lakes and vistas of pristine Jurassic Park worthy valleys which honestly looked like you might just see a veggie dinosaur browsing the treetops! After a few photo stops, we were trundling along when all four girls in the car yelled spontaneously in unison "Stop the car". Oh my God. All my dreams came true. There before us was an entire valley floor carpeted with pink, blue and white lupins at the height of their season. Literally breathtaking, the colour, the enormity of the carpet of flowers was mind-blowing. Even the men were impressed. Truly one of the wonders of the world. Butterflies fluttered, bees buzzed. Birds sang. Our camera's clicked a crazed staccato to capture the beauty.

Reluctantly, our four o'clock schedule in mind, we wended our way onward to the Homer tunnel, admiring the changing scenery as the treeline fell away and the peaks became towering grey cathedrals where waterfalls fell like fluttering ribbons down into great schist slides.

Did I mention that the date was January the 11th! Summer forsooth! Not that you'd notice the way we were bundled up in feather-down vests and warm jeans. Anyhoo I left the gang in the Milford Sound car-park and hightailed it into the visitor centre to check in, only to find out overnight cruise had been cancelled!!! Due to a huge snow storm heading into the area from the Tasman Sea overnight. Disaster! We'd all paid through the nose for the opportunity, flown south for this very excursion! Our options now were take a two hour cruise for free and have our overnight tickets refunded or take our chances on the boat and stay put in Milford for a few days until the road was cleared of slips and re-opened!

In the end it was a no-brainer. A short time later we were aboard our second cruise of the day, third in two days!! and loving the views of majestic waterfalls and Mitre Peak. Seals and seabirds entertained us, as did the chatty captain who filled us in on the history. We did a uey in the Tasman Sea and cruised back in the lee of the southern shore. Jen and I drank champagne as we passed Mitre Peak on the return as the kids and men got damp from the spray of yet another wonderful waterfall.

Driving back through the Homer tunnel, the barrier closing behind us, we marveled that such a ferocious storm could threaten when the day was sparkling blue and sunny.

Quick work by our hosts from the night before had us settling into a mid-century A frame crib, complete with knitted loo paper covers, macrame plant holders and candlewick bedspreads. The place was a classic. Every cliche from the 60's and 70's was on show. The owners, aged and fabulous, pointed us in the direction of a very good pub in Te Anau for a bang up tea!And another for an even better bang up brekkie.

Next day we woke to snow right down below the treeline on the surrounding hills. Then the rain set in and we set out for the backtrack to QT. So heavy was the downpour that we cancelled our trip on the Kingston Flyer and went straight on to Coal Pit vineyard and a wine tasting welcome from Rosie Dunphy, the owner and my dear friend.
Conviviality reigned that night, well oiled with delicious Coal Pit Pinot Noir and great food served family style at Rosies huge table in front of a roaring log fire. Accommodation was charmingly rustic in the century old stone cottage in the garden, dished up with gorgeous linens and fur throws to keep us cosy.

Unseasonal frosts earlier in spring had destroyed the prospect of a good harvest for 2013 at Coal Pit, and unseasonal rains now ruined our adventurous plans to jet boat the Shotover and bungy jump off the bridge over the Kawarau River. Both rivers in flood and metres above their banks. Instead we jumped on a gondola up Skyline where Mac did the much bigger bungy, later we 'rodelbahned' the luge racing the kids to the bottom. Views of Lake Whakatipu were magnificent from the Peak. 

The Hartshorn family discovered the amazing pie shop in Arrowtown and revisited a few times for the Butter chicken specialty pie. The men managed to get lost in the Arrowtown pub, teaching the kids to play pool, the grown ups sampling Mac's ale while we did a quick tour of the shops.

Another day the boys took the kids to the world famous Cow for pizza lunch while Jen and I turned up the dial and dined at Rata, Josh Emmet's place in QT. We took a small plate culinary tour of New Zealand's finest produce matched with scrumptious local wine pairings. Needless to say we were both in LaLaLand. Heaven.

Afterwards we schmoozed our way into a tour of glam boutique Hotel Eichardts and window-shopped Seletti by the wharf.

After a couple of gorgeous nights at the vineyard we retraced our flightpath and had another night in Auckland at Stratus just hanging out enjoying being together.

Much to my guests horror, I had them boarding another boat next day, this time just the girls accompanied me on the Coromandel Ferry. We were bound for Whangapoua where my son Nick was to join us along with our hostess Vicky's daughters. The boys and dog took the car by windy coastal road.

The weather finally cleared and we had a matchless day at New Chums beach, Jen, Pip, Mac and Vicky, took the fast route on jet ski's while the rest of us walked the rocks and bush path. New Chums is probably the most beautiful unspoilt beach in the whole of New Zealand. White sand, crystal clear water, palms swaying. No access except by foot or sea. The perfect hideaway. At last my friends tasted a day's worth of summer weather in enzed! That evening we ate foraged mussels and paua (black abalone) under the stars.

Madelaine and Cameron harvested fruits and veggies from Vicky's extensive garden, plaited flax leaves and collected shells on the beach. They loved the big house and Cameron pronounced on leaving 'that she was going to have a house like that one day'. Way to go Girl.

All too soon two weeks was up and we were saying farewell, all exhausted and ready for a holiday!!, but all headed back to work albeit in different hemisphere's.

Vowing to do it again in 2016! I do hope so.

What a week that was..new house and a puppy!

The first week of December was truly momentous for Pip and me. We were twice blessed! Or icould it be double trouble!

We'd been trolling the 'lifestyle block for sale' websites for a few months, visiting the more promising candidates.  We saw some fabulous historic houses and cottages, relocated gracious homes and modern new builds but they were all an hours commute or more from family and friends. Each time I did the commute to view properties I realised it was too much too soon for us.

Then we found an affordable ugly duckling within 8 minutes of the southern motorway about 25 mins from the city and 10 from Pips work. 3 acres and a simple 30 year old cottage. Something about the gently sloping land and view to the west and Manukau Harbour struck a chord with us both. It was a place that was much better than it looked. We felt it had potential, a blank canvas.

With a few emailed negotiations Coal Mine Cottage was ours! We move in on Feb 1st and we just cant wait. We are both itching to rip out the old and start making a place of our own after 8 years of apartment living.

We are desperately sad to leave our gorgeous pad at the Viaduct. We love love love being by the sea and the security of the 5th floor location. The tranquil sunrise's and still evenings. I will miss the everchanging Skytower light show, the cruise ships, Team NZ and Vodafone catarmarans, all the party boats that amuse us at weekends as revellers bop to the tunes aboard. We will miss our wharfside walks and rides to local farmers markets and the ease of living with pool, spa and gym onsite.

That said we can't wait to start our new adventure into country living, growing our own fruit and veg, eggs and meat! We are planning our new garden already. I'm dreaming of roses, old fashioned country flowers and herbs.

So that was Monday... the day we bought Coal Mine Cottage!

Friday we welcomed a rescue Westie pup called Lachie (pronounced Lockie) into our lives and hearts. A swift decision but a good one. Our beloved Mcgregor , who was allergic to puppies, would not have liked this little chap but we do. We were not really ready to have another pup but one look at him and I was a goner! It was love at first sight for us both. He's a bit of a Mummy's boy right now but he and Dad are bonding on walks around the Viaduct each morning. 

Suddenly the world seems right way up again and we are heading towards 2013 happily and with excitement at what the year of renovation  and country living will bring! Watch this space!

Pics to follow

Wedding at Kitenui Deer Farm near Taupo

Kitenui deer farm just outside Taupo was the venue for an unforgettable wedding last weekend. My friend Chrissy's son Ben was marrying long time sweetheart Taryn.

The setting was a woodland paradise surrounded by lush rolling pasture dotted with exotic zebra, bison, thar and ostrich as well as inquisitive deer and goats. The couple were married in the charming garden under spring sunshine to new age melody's played on the harp and guitar. Bridesmaids looked nymph like with circlets of blossoms and tiny drifty dresses. The boys channeled 50's choir boys in bow ties, slim slacks and v necked navy jumpers. The bride was slenderly beautiful in a heavily beaded slip with wafting veil drifting behind her, Ben, the groom in his signature slim navy suit.

Delicate tea sandwiches and Veuve du Vernay champagne flowed under trees adorned with jam jars brimfull of blue-bells and blossom. Later guests played croquet, others table tennis or walked as we did up the airstrip to admire the animals and rustic stone and timber farm buildings. The Antler room, studded with hundreds of animal horns and guns,is regularly used by corporates for conference parties. WW2 jeeps, a chopper and an old air ambulance are amongst some of the unusual vehicles on display too.

Guests then meandered down a winding wooded path to the Marquee draped in fairy lights and decorated in soft white and yellow flowers in old brass atop slices of pine log central to each table. Two gorgeously droopy ivy chandeliers twined with tiny yellow flower lights and big lemon peonies hung over the tables.

Dinner was roasted home grown or wild meats and dessert was the wedding cake I'd made. Pip and I worked with the chef to turn out the dinner for 135 guests but that is another story! In total 13 cakes were baked for the dessert cake, the four different flavours served with coulis, cream for the choccy cake and a lemon curd and yogurt cream for the citrus syrup cakes. My huge base cake was wrapped in layers of fragile porcelain stiff ruffles, the top layer was ivory buttercream garlanded with delicate dogwood flowers made of sugar. I was thrilled with the way it turned out.

This last photo is a close up of sugar ruffles and dogwood blossoms while I was making them.

However I have decided that this was my last wedding cake. I love making cakes but doing this has given me a greater understanding of the time and labour of love these things are. I have retired from Kiwicakegirls, Nicki will go solo from here and I wish her all the best. She is making the cutest novelty cakes for which I predict she will become highly sought after. Remember her when you need that special cake. www.kiwicakegirls.com

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Happy birthday Pip

Whitebait fritters at Matakana Market

Sunday was Pip's birthday, it was also Fathers day in NZ. After an uneven year and with his Dad and Mac in heaven, my plan was a 'staycation weekend' indulging in some of his favourite things.

First up was a trip to the farmers Market at Matakana, an gentle hours drive from Auckland where he nibbled on fresh whitebait fritters from the Whitebait stand at the charming rustic market. After a stroll through the craft and food markets we drove off for brunch a the Speckled Hen cafe where chickens and roosters strutted through the cafe, one rooster yodeling his head off while we kept warm and enjoyed brekkie. Neither of us had been to Matakana for a number of years, the development was astounding especially at Omaha beach where I'd booked us a round of golf. We both loved the course with its bush walks between holes and waterside fairways, tui's drunk in the banksia trees sang their heads off as we batted around the course. Chilled to the bone after 18 holes in a stiff sea breeze we headed home, picking up 2 dozen Matakana Oysters and a bottle of bubbly which we enjoyed back in our pad. Sunday morning more oysters, this time artfully transformed by mois into fritters( recipe thanks to Lisa from Mahurangi Oysters), for brekkie then we headed over the harbour bridge to Bliss Spa at Takapuna for a couples massage and pedi!

Pizza oven and veggie stall at Matakana.



From top left, Sculpture at Riverhead and view back down river. Our friends enjoying sundown arrival at Riverhead. Ferry, Golf themed birthday cake and night sky.

We ended the weekend rendezvousing with a group of friends at Billfish cafe, Westhaven, for a surprise birthday trip on the Red Boats 'Riverhead cruiser' to Riverhead Tavern for dinner. Such fun cruising the upper harbour, which is surprisingly beautiful, bushclad and full of history. Dinner in the Portage Bar was such fun, we played pool, had a few drinks and scoffed ribs and bangers and mash with gusto! Cake and dancing on the boat as we chugged through the night under a full moon suddenly revealed to us for our trip back up the harbour to Westhaven by nine thirty. Highly recommend excursion this for an adventurous group. Its not smart but its quite lovely.

Te Punga Lodge Whangapoua

My good friend Vicky Broadbent has launched her new venture at pristine and beautiful Whangapoua on the Coromandel Peninsula. 

Te Punga Lodge offers a luxury B and B experience with glorious views over green hills and sparkling ocean for those wanting a tranquil getaway or a base to explore the beauties of the Coromandel Peninsula.

Te Punga Lodge is also available for holiday rentals and special events with accommodation for up to 26 in a combination of luxury suites and comfortable bunkroom options, perfect for that extended family reunion or beach wedding. You can find more details about Te Punga Lodge at the following links: 

http://www.vrbo.com/419757

http://www.bookabach.co.nz/baches-and-holiday-homes/view/19611/locale/whangapoua

Cakes and Parties

Since Nicki and I started making cakes life has taken on an accelerated pace! Who knew baking party cakes was so addictive or so time gobbling!

Last weekend, our biggest yet, with five cakes going out to five happy customers. I was lucky enough to enjoy two of the celebrations we'd made celebration cakes for. 

Ben and Taryn's engagement party ticked all the boxes. Thoughtful arty decorations, a hip venue at Minnie Street Studio's in Eden Terrace, a dessert buffet with monogrammed chocolate goodies, pretty pink meringues and my OTT cake.

Kermadec Exhibition at Maritime Museum

9 artists travelled on the NZ Navy ship Otago to the remote Kermadec islands. Video of their journey and artistic responses to the pristine string of volcanic islands along the edge of the Kermadec Trench are on exhibit at the Maritime Museum.

You might be as surprised as me to find that Raoul Island, the Doc inhabited island in the Kermadecs, is not off the tip of NZ but situated two days run in the ship out from Whakatane on the way to Tonga.

The work I loved best were the giant tapa's of  Robin White, the fabulous vibrant resin works by Elizabeth Thomson, Phil Dadson's sounds of the Kermadecs and Fiona Halls beaks and peaks.

Artists are: Phil Dadson, Fiona Hall, John Pule, John Reynolds, Robin White, Elizabeth Thomson, Bruce Foster and Gregory O'Brien.

. Exhibit entry is free to aucklanders with proof on address.