Hard at work
So we and our guests can enjoy over the summer
Like everyone else throughout New Zealand at this time of the year we have heads down and bottoms up with pruning and trimming. With some 60 roses on site it takes us a while not to mention the grape vine and the stone fruit trees. Stringing up the orchids which are about to flower and preparing the ground for our summer vegetables.
(old saying…. To live off the Garden you almost have to live in the garden)
Some of the early peonies are up and masses of tulips so spring is going to look sensational with such colour and it is not so far away… Kaikoura has had quite a wet winter and most probably like the rest of New Zealand…Lots of moss about which we are dealing with and grass growing where it has never grown before..
And just around the corner on the 19th September…..
Cars to dream over
Don’t forget the Kaikoura Hop this year is about to kick off . We’re expecting over 800 car entries. A petrol heads paradise, followed by a great Dance.
And then soon after on October 4th, 2014
Kaikoura Seafest Lots of great times to be had and rooms about the town are starting to fill up fast.
Great Seafood, carnival and dance (photo thanks to Stuff NZ)
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…. Chris & Colin ,
Fyffe Country Lodge
458 State Highway One
Kaikoura
Ph 64 3 319 6869
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There is a long held belief in New Zealand that when the Cabbage Tree flowers heavily then we should expect a long hot dry summer. If so then the extra water tank we installed may have been a very good idea. see post
Cabbage Tree Cordyline australis
Certainly this year the Cabbage Trees are spectacular, perhaps the best I have seen for many years.
The dozens of specimens around the village are all heavily in bloom
The blooms appear in very large clumps made up of long racemes of delicate white blossom, and are highly scented. I took a clump that had blown off into Iris, maybe to place in our guest sun room. But 10 minutes later we both decided that it was just too overpowering in a room and sadly it had to be evicted.
Garden varieties
Cordyline species are popular in gardens and we have a small C. indivsa in our own garden and there are several C. banksii about the village and on roadsides
Summer is Officially Here
And for once the Weather Gods are agreeing, with kayakers enjoying the high (for us) temperatures and calm sunny days.
The Trials of a Photographer
A source of quiet amusement for me are some of the photographers I take to Ulva. Long Lens are probably the biggest source of photographer frustration.
Although wonderful for open country, and reasonable static subjects, our dense forest and generally very mobile birds makes for serious frustration … the *$#@!! birds are too close ….. or …. by the time I’ve found the bird in my lens it’s flown away.
The other issue is tripods. I remember once taking a very enthusiastic (foreign) amateur over for a 6 hour film and photography walk. Central … from my point of view anyway as I ended up carrying the darned thing…. was a whacking great tripod that weighed a ton. And I was told I didn’t have a clue when I suggested that light weight & flexibility was needed as by the time he got it that kit set up the subject in question would be three ridges away. And though I actually carried it all semi set up, even then by the time he got it actually organised the bird was long gone. He didn’t manage a single worthwhile shot, even though the birds were far better than normal. From memory we saw 14 or 15 of the 18 land species resident…….And he had stabilised lens.
So what do I use
My long lens is a 70/300mm, not as fast as I would like, but relatively light weight and not nearly as cumbersome as the faster models , and so easier to hold. And I use the fastest cards I can buy together with high speed burst mode, which with a digital camera means hopefully one shot out of a sequence will be worthwhile.
Our New Family Member
Occasionally I am faced with the situation of young birds which will not survive either because of inability of parents to care for them, or of an external danger to the nest.
Black Oystercatcher nest, with a third “insurance” egg. The third egg chick will never survive, as it is always at least 5 days younger, and therefore less able to compete, and in any case the parents are just not capable of feeding 3 hungry youngsters. And I think Oystercatchers are delightful birds
My natural inclination is to bring them home and attempt to rear them. However the thought of Iris’s reaction is a significant brake on precipitous action. And also, how on earth do I teach a baby oystercatcher to be an oystercatcher
And last year 4 parakeet nestlings drowned in a heavy rain event which I should have foreseen Link to Post .
But, as I said Iris would really create if I did bring a young Oystercatcher, or a clutch of parakeet home to raise.
So you can imagine my surprise a week ago when she turned up with a baby thrush. It had obviously fallen out of it’s nest. but was otherwise unharmed. It took to hand feeding immediately and seems quite happy in its cage. Initially we fed it moist cat food, but now we are feeding it slugs which Iris catches under “slug boards” in the vegetable garden … better than chemical control by far …. and it loves the worms we find in our compost bins. And I downloaded thrush song and we play this while feeding it and on and off during the day. But can it eat !!!!!, and every 20 minutes or so. I really feel sorry for thrush parents with several in the nest all demanding food.
But what I’m really looking forward to is seeing Iris on her hands and knees prodding the lawn with her nose as she teaches it to find it’s own dinner, and running around flapping her arms during flight training.
On a more serious note it will graduate into our glasshouse when it has some idea of self feeding …. lots of worms there, and scope to practice flight skills. Then we hope to release it into the wild with the other thrushes as soon as it can fend for itself.
…. Peter & Iris, Sails Ashore
11 View St,
Stewart Island,
[email protected]
www.sailsashore.co.nz
64 3 219 1151
0800 783 9278
The Colours of Tuscany
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Spring is finally here, making the yellows of Villa Toscana even brighter:
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The year Gone By
Guests enjoying the wine
We have had a very interesting year, and amongst other things hosted a beautiful wedding with 90 guests ……..
Wedding guests soaking up the view
And at the same time
combined at the very same time with Margherita exhibiting in the most popular Art Exhibition of the year in Mercury Bay: “The Art Escape”.
Art Escape
Margherita’s open studio
The Art Escape is a self drive tour of open artists’ studios which enables anyone to visit the private art studio selected, meet the artist, enjoying the exhibition and experience the personal space where the artwork is created.
It looked like a crazy idea to run the two together… but the bride happily pushed for it!
It was a lot of hard work, but good weather, good staff, a bit of creativity and a good group of friends on duty made the day super-great!
A big boy, very friendly, very welcoming…but not the boss!!!
Romeo knows that he is the love of our guests
Peace, romance and relaxation
…. Giorgio & Margherita, Villa Toscana
65 Tarapatiki Drive, Whitianga
PO Box 43,
Ohuka Park,
Whitianga
[email protected]
www.villatoscana.co.nz
64 7 866-2293
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Roses to Die For
Keri Keri is blooming with beautiful flowers and stunning spring
growth. We are enjoying a stunning spring which bodes well for
summer. Long, dry and hot. We are this year thoroughly enjoying the
fruits of our 7 years of labour in our garden. We planted Sally Holmes
Roses when we arrived in this idyllic part of New Zealand. They with
Bed of Roses
others all colour co-ordinated are stunning. You can see from the
pictures of our beautiful garden.
Bed of Roses
Street Party & Half Marathon
KeriKeri Street Party,
Image thanks to MyMyKeriKeri Blog
Last weekend we had the very successful ‘street party’ and half marathon. Each year more people come here and it is extremely successful. Kerikeri continues to grow into a very pretty village. Delightful cafes and shopping. New Italian shop, just gorgeous and our nearest cafe “Food at Wharepuke” is outstanding. Food prepared with great heart and fresh, delicious and mouthwatering.
From Kerikeri visitors can experience outstanding golf, early New Zealand History, the first printing press, the first store and the stories of the new missionaries being watched by the Maoris all day through their windows. One of the most awesome adventures is to visit King Fish Lodge. Visit only by water and arrive
King Fish Lodge. Image thanks to NZ Online
surrounded by hundreds of Pohutakawa trees covered in red and barely a habitation in sight. Awesome.
Our Own Breakfasts
We continue to make marvelous breakfasts for all our guests.
Different china on each of the days of their stay, and handmade healthy
food.
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…. Cliff & Louisa, Bed of Roses
165 Kerikeri Rd.,Kerikeri,Bay of of Islands
[email protected]
www.bedofroses.co.nz
64 9 407 4666
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The Hop, Car Enthusiasts and Rock & Roll
So much activity…..
The Hop
Our region starts off with the Kaikoura Hop usually around the 24th September. This is great for car enthusiasts and the event attract approximately 700 car entries. The town just buzzes. Entries are from all over New Zealand and already I understand next year is partially booked. The dance is fab – “Rock ‘n’ Roll “ all night !!
Seafest
Mussels, Yum, Seafest
Then it is Seafest time and this event attracts a good crowd of about 5000 party goers with the big Bash (with great bands) on the Friday night followed by the food & wine the following day.
The Bash, Party Goers,
Culverden Xmas Fete
A day in the sun at the Fete
Just a couple of weeks later everyone goes to the Culverden Xmas Fete which I never miss. Usually I make a B-Line for the peonies to add to my collection which graces the
Just one of the many stalls at The Fete (photo.. The Fete.co.nz)
gardens surrounding the lodge and obviously I go home with a huge bunch of cut stems. They are always an excellent talking point with the guests.
and just a few days later we all find ourselves at
The Kaikoura Races
Harness Racing on the Beach (Photo Stuff.co.nz)
taking a punt on our favourite horse. The temperature was 24o Sun blazing with lots of bright hats and summery cloths and a few burnt bodies was the order of the day. The sea was a beautiful turquoise back drop to the course. You would have though every car in New Zealand was there..it was so so busy and record crowds I am told. The town just came to a stand still !!
And our own Fyffe Country Lodge Gardens
Fyffe Country Lodge Gardens
Now that we have all enjoyed such a busy start to the spring calendar it is time to put in some hard labour into the gardens. The buxus is a show piece and is always commented on.
Our orchid collection demands spring attention with dividing and re-potting.
The Hobby
(This is a relatively new hobby – perhaps age related – but most enjoyable)
Holidaying in Kaikoura between late September to Late October will always provide you with some great festive events to attend.
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…. Chris & Colin ,
Fyffe Country Lodge
458 State Highway One
Kaikoura
Ph 64 3 319 6869
]]>An update on the Haast Pass Highway 6 slip for the South Island properties sending guests up the West coast. The road has been open 93% of the last 15 days October 2 to October 17. This is having devastating consequences for tourism operators both on the coast and in Wanaka.
Haast Highway Slip, NZ Transport Photograph
There have been some ongoing challenges on Highway 6 since heavy rain triggered a slip on September 8 2013. It is located 3 km on the West Coast side of the Haast Pass summit. Since then there has been a lot of road work on the slip as it stabilises. NZ Transport Agency have just run public meetings right down the West Coast (October 17) to update us on progress on fixing the problem.
The slip at Diana Falls is 3km before the top of the Haast Pass.
Although there were long closures back in September, throughout October Highway 6 has been open for much of every day for 14 of the last 15 days (93% of the time). That means that providing you aren’t running on a very tight schedule such as some of the big tour buses, people will usually get through the slip area straight away or with a brief delay every day so be a little patient. There are road men at the slip site all the time letting people through and managing the traffic and safety.
For safety reasons the Highway Authorities are closing the road every night between 6pm and 8am. Our guests don’t usually travel at night anyway because they are here to see the scenery so this will not affect them.
We do suggest that if they are driving north from Queenstown/Wanaka or south Hokitika to Queenstown/Wanaka, aim to come through the slip area around the middle of the day and don’t leave it until the late afternoon (when they might decide to close the road early) or early in the morning (when the roading people might still have to clear rocks off the road).
Our guests coming to or going from the Lodge usually do drive through this area around the middle of the day so this should not be an issue.
When there is heavy rain it may trigger more rockslides that have to be cleared off the road but usually this is achieved by 1pm each day.
The closures are getting less and less as the loose rock is washed down off the slip.
From mid November 2013 onwards the roading authorities are installing rock netting and engineering works to solve the problem. This can only be done once most of the loose rock is flushed off the slip.
When you/they drive from Fox Glacier south or from Wanaka north there will be an electronic sign that advises current highway conditions. This is not Gospel. It does change all the time so we generally encourage you to keep on with your original travel plans. There is a website www.nzta.govt.nz “South Island Highway Conditions” that is updated 4 times a day..
For 93% of the last 15 days the road has been open despite the fact that we have had rain over much of that period so the road guys are doing a great job keeping the road open most of the time.
The Luminaries
The Luminaries
The Luminaries, Booker Prize 2013
Well, what a wonderful way to put Hokitika on the map. The book has been flying off the shelves throughout the country and no more so than in our little town. Our local bookshop has just been trying to keep up with demand and has ordered at least twice as much stock as previously and they are still running out. If this book gets the global following we think it will, then people will come and visit us because of that. Who knows, they may make it into a movie. That will certainly put Hokitika on the map. I had a call from a film production company who needed five rooms this coming week, but because we have four were unable to assist them. Oh well, hopefully there will be more requests in the future! So, everyone, enjoy the book.
Coast Spring
The tulips are coming to an end and are now replaced by the warratah and protea flowering on the edge of the cliff. We have just spent the day mowing the lawns after ten days of rain. Oh, spring is wonderful on the coast!
Now that spring has arrived on the coast, our garden is looking spectacular. The bellbirds, tuis, thrushes and of course the destructive kereru (pigeon) have returned, the pigeons to eat all the leaves from our plum trees and the tuis and bellbirds to nest close to their food source.
I don’t think the kereru (native pigeon) like quinces so perhaps we will get lots of fruit this year.
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Helen & Peter
Rimu Lodge
33 Seddons Rd
Rimu, Hokitika,
WESTLAND
Phone:
+64 3 755-5255
Email: [email protected]
Dunedins Rhododendrons
Every year in October the City of Dunedin celebrates one of New Zealand’s loveliest sights – the exotic beauty of the City’s Rhododendrons. Here a fortuitous partnership of soil and climate combine to give one of the finest Rhododendron growing areas in the world, thus earning Dunedin the description of Rhododendron City. Originating from areas as diverse as the Himalayas and the sub-arctic tundra regions, experts consider the Rhododendron to be uniquely suited to Dunedin.
Fletcher Lodge
As Dunedin starts it annual Rhododendron Festival in our famous Botanical Gardens, I just need to sneak into my back yards to see this splendid 2 storey high tree and to enjoy our own rhododendrons.
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Around the City
As well as Dunedins many public gardens residents and visitors alike are invited to enjoy some of the many fine private gardens thrown open during Rhododendron Week
Ewa & Keith
Fletcher Lodge
276 High Street,
Dunedin, New Zealand
Phone:
+64 3 477-5552
Free Phone: 0800 THE LODGE
Email: [email protected]
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Since we put the new water tank in place….. and pumped it full from our existing storage we’ve had very little rain. So much so that Iris has been watering her new vegetable plantings for several days after sowing. Most unusual, especially this time of year. A wry comment on our normal rain fall pattern is that a drought on Stewart Island is 5 days without much rain. What has looked promising on the weather forecast site we use has in most cases come to nothing.
Warm Temperatures
And it has been very warm, especially at night. A couple of nights ago the low was a very mild 15 deg C
Ulva Visit
A couple of days ago I had a family across on Ulva Island, and I was
surprised just how dry it was there as well. The forest floor leaf litter was like walking on cornflakes, and several patches of film fern were seriously shrivelled up. Normally something that would be a summer thing after several days of no rain, and equally importantly…. warm dry breezes to dry out the soil and moss.
First Orchids of the Season
The first of the seasons orchids are Nematoceras accuminatum, and they are well out, and lots of them
Spring Courtship
The robins are busy courting, and my young guests were fascinated by the female begging for food, and the male feeding her. The saddlebacks are also firmly into breeding mode, with the jack birds in close attendance to their mates
And they found a large kiwi dibble hole beside the path.
We have been hearing Kiwi calling around our house, and our next door neighbour thinks she disturbed one beside her drive way around 10 am. Although its great to hear them it’s also a worry as they are very vulnerable to being hit by vehicles at night.
So all in all, “Spring has well and truly Sprung on Stewart Island”
…. Peter & Iris, Sails Ashore
11 View St,
Stewart Island,
www.sailsashore.co.nz
[email protected]
“Paper Chase”
After a fantastic winter, we are now experiencing a glorious Dunedin Spring. The Azaleas look particularly beautiful this year, the Daffodils have come out and the Tulips are also now emerging. There is so much work to do in the house and garden at this time of year and I have been spending hours clipping, trimming, tidying and sweeping. With my hard work and the splendid spring flowers, the garden is beginning to look ready for the summer months ahead.
Tulips at the door
A corner of Fletcher Lodge Garden
Azalia
Azalia
Fletcher !!!!
Fletcher…. Banished
Meanwhile, Fletcher has been unimpressed by a short but nasty downturn in the weather. When he eventually ventured outside for a healthy run in the park, he ended up covered in mud and was not allowed back in the house. He had to endure the indignity of a bath in Dunedin’s “most southern dog wash in the world”.
Fletcher in Clean Mode
Dogs hate baths
New Kiwis
Olga, Nadia & Michail in traditional old Russian dress at their Citizenship Ceremony
An important event in our lives recently was Olga, Nadia and Michail receiving their New Zealand citizenship in Dunedin’s Town Hall (as can be seen in the fantastic picture). Olga is the housekeeper in the Lodge, and she works with me on absolutely anything that needs to be done ranging from drapes-making to gardening. Olga was a music teacher in her native Russia and Nadia (12) has taken on this passion for music. She is sweet and quiet but comes alive when playing the piano. Michail has a PhD in Biochemistry & Microbiology, and works for the University of Otago in the university’s research unit.
Ewa & Keith
Fletcher Lodge
276 High Street,
Dunedin, New Zealand
Phone:
+64 3 477-5552
Free Phone: 0800 THE LODGE
Email: [email protected]
]]>Jeanne and I are just back from a leisurely walk down to the waterfront for a coffee, then along the Queen Charlotte Sound foreshore.
Picton Harbour from Coathanger Bridge
Picton Winter weather has been very kind to us, with the firewood shed still over half full.
The first few days of the Spring season have given us fantastic sunny weather. May it long continue!
Garden Club Visit
Woodpigeon in Kawaka
We have just hosted a bus load of local Garden Club members for a look around McCormick House native forest gardens.
They were very interested in the many different types of native trees, shrubs and flowers.
We have compiled a list of around 30 identified species with their common, Maori and Latin names for our guests to look over.
Spring Blooms, Avian Visitors and our Garden
Tui in Kowhai
Our daffodils are in full bloom. Tuis and Belllbirds are enjoying the nectar on our Kowhai trees and native clematis vines.
We have had a visit from a curious local Weka in our garden. They are very similar to kiwi birds.
The garden is a credit to Jeanne, who puts most of her time in our quieter months.
Our shaver brown chickens are still laying plenty of fresh eggs for breakfasts
Weka in McCormick House Garden
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The strawberry patch has increased in size, providing colour and juicy flavour for our fresh fruit salads.
The Man’s Cave
Guest Dining room
I have been busy in my wood-shop restoring, repairing and creating furniture during the cooler months.
Our guest dining room now has a NZ rimu wood sideboard to match the antique rimu table and a newly constructed, outdoor guest dining table, complete with sunshade.
There are several other woodworking jobs waiting for my attention, along with some tree branches needing chainsawing and our 1950’s clinker white pine and mahogany speedboat project.
Great Season and Wonderful Guests
Amber & Matt McCormick House
We have had a very enjoyable season hosting guests from around the globe.
A lovely couple from Perth Australia chose McCormick House for their boutique wedding ceremony. We were nervous at first, but it all went without a hitch.
Local Attractions for Guests
Local Sea Kayaking
Our local Queen Charlotte Track,continues to attract large numbers of visitors.
Many staying with us at McCormick House before and after the track.
There are not many walking tracks where luggage is transported by water taxi to your accommodation each night.
Choose between walking, kayaking or mountain biking each section of the track.
You only carry your lunch, water, camera, sunhat and coat.
We are happy to help with bookings and offer complimentary secure luggage and vehicle storage for returning guests.
Picton waterfront development is now complete and hosted over 9000 people for New Year’s Eve with bands, festivities and fireworks. Picton’s boat marina expansion is due to be completed in the next few weeks.
The Interislander Ferry “Kataki” is currently having a makeover in Australia and is expected to be back on the Wellington to Picton crossing by the 18th of September.
Wine tours in New Zealand’s largest and most awarded wine growing region continue to be a favourite recreation.
Jeanne & I continue to enjoy the diverse range of unique Marlborough wines and have got to personally know many local Marlborough winemakers.
We are both happy to share our wine knowledge with guests.
Centenary !!!!
McCormick House turns 100 years old next year, so we had better start planning the party……..
…. Jeanne & Carl, McCormick House
21 Leicester Street
Picton 7220,