The Hop, Car Enthusiasts and Rock & Roll

So much activity…..

The Hop

Our region starts off with the Kaikoura Hop usually around the 24^th 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

www.fyffecountrylodge.com
Email [email protected]

WELCOME to Spring in New Zealand. The changeable landscape is changing again and we are inspired by this Haiku composed by Lynne Hopkinson, Mount Hope, Ontario (Canada). Lynne explored NZ in springtime 2012 and has graciously shared her Haiku with her hosts and now with all of you.

winter slowly passed 
the land of the long white cloud
spring comes, the sun warms

thin snow-fingers creep
foreboding snow-capped mountains
peeking down at clouds

 shadows long and dark
coming from one direction
shortening to naught

hoping not to fall
bare tree roots cling to grey rocks
and to each other

 grey rivers rushing
impeded by rocks and stones
slow to a trickle

 boulders in bare fields
interfering with the land
from where have they come

 soft winds whispering
clouds creature-shaped and wispy
drift across the sky

stands of brown beech trees
shriveled leaves grasping branches
await new spring coats

sporting new crew cuts
long stands of border hedges
shelter furrowed lands

young spring lambs crying
all searching for their mothers
dot newly greened fields

reflected in pools
yellow and white daffodils
reaching for the sun

 spreading silver ferns
protect trickling streams and brooks
and dark pine forests

lakes turn grey to green
fruit trees bud, blossom and bloom
exquisite birds call

tussocks wave and sway
long brown grass turning to green
greets the new season

Lynne on one of her adventures, exploring White Island, NZ. White Island is an active Volcano off the coast of the Bay of Plenty

Thank you Lynne for your delightful Haiku.
We look forward to more words of wisdom from your next adventure.

Franz Joseph Glacier, South Westland

Lynne also visited the Franz Josef Glacier in South Westland (South Island), staying at

Holly Homestead

Holly Homestead. Hot one week and cold the next!!  New Zealand can have “four seasons in one day” so always be prepared with your sunscreen and your jacket.

The Franz Josef Glacier is located within the Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Many visitors expect that we live high in the mountains, whereas the township is located approx 150 metres above sea level. Our wonderful region has lush rainforest, stunning coastal scenery, rivers, reflective lakes, snow capped mountains year round, and (of course) glaciers.

If you need some adventure with your scenery, here is a sample of some activities in Glacier Country:

Kayaking Lake Mapourika

Franz Joseph Glacier Group in crevasse

Quad Bikes-Franz Joseph

Thanks again to Lynne for her Haiku.

Happy springtime to everyone, everywhere.

Best wishes from Bernie & Gerard at Holly Homestead.

2900 Franz Josef Highway (SH 6 – P O Box 35 )
Franz Josef Glacier 7856
South Westland

[email protected]
www.hollyhomestead.co.nz

Winter can be a depressing time of year, short days, colder, and often extended grey bleak periods. But we do also get those wonderful clear calm sunny days that make such a difference. And one of the really neat things winter gives us is marvellous sunrises. Well we get great sunrises throughout the year, but in winter the sun rises directly in front of Sails Ashore and just as we are getting up. Which often isn’t all that early. It being winter and   all !!

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXwCCkE950E&w=560&h=315]

Stewart Island / Rakiura… the name

Rakiura or more properly “Te raki o te uraka o Te Rakitamau”  is the Maori name for Stewart Island, the short translation being “Land of Glowing Skies” and our sunrises & sets, rainbows and Aurora can be spectacular. But as always there is a story attached.  Many years ago Te Rakitamau , an old Maori Chief who apparently lived on the mainland, lost his wife. Widower hood did not sit well… winters can be cold… and he’d heard there were two Wahine (young women) on Stewart Island who would make good wives. Two were apparently better than one… keep warm both sides …. and so he came down to claim these two girls. The story tells us that one was already promised, and the other turned him down flat. And now we see his deep blushes of rage and humiliation in our skies.

more Stewart Island place names……..

Hearty Winter Venison

I like eating and having been raised on a Southland farm, enjoy my meat.
A friend gave us a leg of white-tail venison they had shot in Paterson Inlet. Now Iris & I both love venison and buy venison steaks from a Te Anau supplier. But a leg can be a bit of a problem, as I find it hard to roast without becoming very dry. So had a bit of a think about that and the following recipe is the result.

Cut the leg into sections across the bone that will fit into a slow cooker and retain one portion, the rest going into the freezer. nb. Whitetail is a small animal. A very large leg may be too big to fit a slow cooker even after cutting down.

Peel and slice sufficient onions to put a reasonable layer in the bottom of a slow cooker, and turn cooker onto high.

Roll the venison in flour and heavily braise in a pan, using a good cooking oil. Don’t skimp the oil, as venison has very little fat. Transfer venison into slow cooker and add 50/50 cider vinegar and a good beef stock to about 80% of the top of the meat. Add a good tablespoon of honey and a cup or so of chopped carrots heavily browned in the braising pan. If the pan isn’t burned some of the cider/beef stock can be simmered briefly in the pan and returned to the stock pot. Once the slow cooker is actively simmering turn to low and leave for at least 5 or 6 hours… longer is better. Ladle liquid over meat every hour or so.

About 90 minutes before due to serve peel as many potatoes as will easily fit into the stock pot well into the liquid and continue cooking with the meat.
Carefully lift out the meat and potatoes and keep warm before serving.

Using a “stick” whiz the liquid, onions and carrots. This should result in a good gravy. (the cooked onions and carrots become the thickening) If a bit thin, whizz in some flour to suit and transfer to a suitable pot and bring briefly to the boil.

This works very well with mutton as well, though as mutton is usually well endowed with fat, less oil should be used when braising, and ladling out excess fat off the top before whizzing into gravy is a good idea.

You can find more of our recipes at www.sailsashore.co.nz

Enjoy…

…. Peter & Iris, Sails Ashore
11 View St,
Stewart Island,
[email protected]
www.sailsashore.co.nz

64 3 219 1151
0800 783 9278

In late April our daughter Anne went overseas to attend two conferences, with a trip to Spain in between. Rather than put Eddie …. her Border Terrier ….. into kennels she sent him down to us. Eddie is a well travelled little dog, having visited us with Anne several times before, and also flying with her down to Wanganui where Anne occasionally works. Rather than fly Eddie home when Anne returned Iris & I decided to spend a week in Auckland. This was seen as a great idea by Anne, who, suprise suprise, had  several days chores for us…. gardening for Iris, and handyman duties for me.

Island Comedy

As always we flew off the Island with Stewart Island Flights, the local operator. They use Britten Norman Islanders, a very capable twin engined 9 seater aircraft. The flight was pure Island comedy. Iris and I sat in the rear two seats, with  Eddie secured on our lap, In front of us was a local young mum with baby twins, one held by another local woman along side her. The next row up had the local nurse and alongside her was the young mums friend, holding the twins elder sister. In the next row forward was an expectant mum, with her two little dogs, The remaining seats with other locals. But also on the plane was a box of doves. So in total 9 adults, 3 babies, three small dogs and a box of doves.  Getting all this travelling circus aboard was something of a project, and there were several comments regarding what any tourist would have thought had they been travelling.. but for the pilot, just another day at the office, and for us, just what makes Island life different.

But it wasn’t all work, among other things we spent the Saturday on Waiheke Island. Anne hired a car and we circumnavigated the Island. The western end is just a suburb of Auckland, but the eastern end is mostly farmland, and although not much of the Islands native bush remains, it is very pretty. We had lunch at Man ‘o War Bay Vinyard, a panini accompanied by a superb Red… Dreadnaught, if I remember correctly.

Leaving the Island means we have to organise care for our own two Borders, Millie & Bridie, and for our cantankerous cat who by the way enjoys the very original name(s) of Kit the Cat, or Mog. In the past we had sent them to kennels in Invercargill. But they hated it and invariably came home with snuffles and sneezes. So this year we asked a friend to come across and house sit our fur children.

We have known Lee for ever, and she and Anne are great friends, And as Lee spent a lot of her childhood on the Island she leapt at the chance to kick back and visit with old friends. We didn’t tell her too much about our odd animals, thought it would be an interesting learning curve for her.

As you might see from the email we received

Dear Mum and Dad and Anne
 
we hope that you got to Auckland ok. Kitty and I have been very good, but Bridie not so much, she must miss you.

Yesterday when Lee was trying to work with her computer on her lap, me, Bridie and Kitty tried to all get on her lap at once. Lee had to work at the table instead, because there wasn’t any room for all of us.
 
When Lee was having a sleep yesterday in the afternoon, Bridie woke her up barking. We still don’t know what she wanted because she didn’t want to go outside. Lee went to sleep in the window seat instead.
 
I have decided that I don’t want to sleep in your room, I just sit at the door, so Lee bought my bed out and I am sleeping in the lounge.
 
Bridie barked during the night, so Lee got up and let us out. When she was trying to get us to go outside for our nightly business we wouldn’t go. We both looked at her with doeful -‘ its to cold out there eyes’, and she fell for it. HAHAHAHA. So we woke her up when it suited us. I think we are very clever.
 
Once we had been out (I had a good look round the place in the dark in case anything had been going on) I was out there for ages, Lee was worried, we came back inside and Lee left the TV on for us to watch, because she was worried, we missed the company. But we didn’t make anymore noise, so she figured out now that we just wanted out.
 
She told us she is not falling for that again tonight. 
 
We went for a walk this morning, but we were so excited we barked and barked and barked (it was Bridie) that Lee kept walking us up and down the drive until we stopped, every time we got near the end of the drive and started barking again she turned us round and walked us back again. We are pretty clever so after doing this for ages we got the idea she wasn’t having any barking when we go walkies. So by the time we got out of the drive I was almost tired. We had a nice walk to Watercress bay and back. I did not chase any dogs, people or cars, because we didn’t see any.
 
Lee forgot to take a poo bag, but it was all good, because she didn’t feed us until we got home!
 We hope she never eats pumpkin ever because we really like it, we had it for tea and some more for breakfast as well.
 
Kitty seems to like Lee a lot, follows her round and won’t get off her lap so we can have a turn. Lee had to put her in her dog kennel yesterday afternoon so that she would leave her alone. Of course we sat under her cage in case she through some food out for us. Kitty also likes it that Eddie has gone home to his mum too.
Anyway, Bridie is in my basket, but I don’t care right now, because I’m going outside to check the mail again.
 
Have a good trip.
 
Woof woof
 Milly, Bridie and Kitty.

Coming South

Instead of flying from Invercargill we took our van (which we send across to the mainland every 2 years for maintenance) up to Queenstown and flew north from there. While we were away the Island weather was terrible, easterly and cold rain, and the day we were due to fly south a major Southerly storm was forecast. It arrived at Q’town just as we landed, and

we awoke next morning at Lake Hayes to a thin covering of snow, maybe 10 mm. But going over to Arrowtown we found 10 times that, and snowing heavily, but nothing back at Lake Hayes. The trip down to Invercargill on Friday was a bit of an adventure. The road was open just, with care, and we drove through heavy snow falling, half a metre on the fields. The graders and grit trucks were busy and we got through OK, although from halfway down the Lake to Lumsden at

just 40 kph.

Snow is not something we get a lot of on Stewart Island, maybe one fall of a few millimetres  once a year is generally our lot. Something I am very grateful for, as I loath the stuff. A spell or two snow raking as a young fellow cured me of any illusions about snow. Although I will admit it does look very pretty, but only when seen through double glazing accompanied by a roaring fire and a large mug of mulled wine.

Border Terriers

Anyone who has stayed with us will remember our two Borders…. it must be a Tait thing, as our son Ivan has a Border as well. Like all pets they rule our lives, and Bridie in particular is a “pataholic” and demands endless pats and attention. Millie is much more a couch potato, but having been a breeding bitch before she was retired to us I suppose she is allowed. Millies favourite occupation is watching the world go by.  Eddie on the other hand is an exercise freak, or at least is with Anne, and they will generally walk several K’s per day. However we do find while down here he seldom surfaces before 0900, and is looking for his bed around dinner time.

…. Peter & Iris, Sails Ashore
11 View St,
Stewart Island,
[email protected]
www.sailsashore.co.nz
64 3 219 1151
0800 783 9278

The little penguins fletched their first clutch of chicks and will soon start laying eggs again. This is quite common with this penguin species and they can raise two lots of 2 chicks if there is good food supply in the sea.

Yellow-eyed Penguin chicks have hatched and are still guarded by one parent while the other is fishing at sea. Both parents take turns looking after their young. Soon they will both have to go fishing to bring back enough food for their chicks.

This year is set to be a record breeding year for Royal Albatross with 36 nests at Taiaroa Head, the only albatross breeding site that is not located on an island – and it is still within Dunedin city limits! The headland is also a breeding site for red billed gulls. Although their numbers are increasing here their conservation status is ‘vulnerable’ as they are disappearing from other areas. We have been fortunate to observe nest activities close-up.

Guests staying at Nisbet Cottage experience the wildlife first hand with an expert guide in a group of maximum 5 people. What a privilege to be able to observe the rare and unique wildlife of the area! We regularly encounter the critically endangered New Zealand sea lions on our early morning penguin tour and take the time to observe their behaviour. New Zealand sea lions have only recently started breeding again on the Otago Peninsula – all born here have names and are descendants of ‘Mum’ who gave birth to the first pup in 1994. Last week we saw ‘Joy’, a 2 year old female resting on the beach.

To experience all that Dunedin has to offer – a 3 night stay should be planned here.

Hildegard & Ralf Lubcke, Nisbet Cottage, Dunedin

Rakiura, Land of Glowing Skies. A sunrise from Sails Ashore

That triangular Island right at the bottom of New Zealand is Stewart Island. At 170,000 hectares the Island is considerably bigger than most folks realise. And just to scotch a perception prevalent north of Cook Straits we do not have winter Icebergs, although we do have penguins. In fact there is a small colony living right beside the village wharf. Our climate is quite mild… we have fruited tamarillos and kiwi fruit in our garden. Though I hasten to say Te Puke should not feel threatened. And for Brits reading this, Stewart Island is 130 miles closer to the equator than are the Isles of Scilly.

The Community

Halfmoon Bay, and the Village of Oban

We are a community of around 380 persons, now primarily engaged in tourism, although we have a strong marine farming presence and the Department of Conservation who manages Rakiura National Park have a significant staff. The fishing industries presence is much reduced from the 50+ vessels who called “The Bay” home in the late 60’s, although the “flavour” of the community is still that of a fishing village. Which, by the way is more properly named Oban.

The Destination

“The Island” is on most New Zealanders Bucket List. Why ????. I suppose the reasons will be as many and varied as the people you ask. And will range from:-

Mason Bay, 9 miles of deserted sand

Tranquility… you don’t have to walk far to find a beach all of your own to sit on…

Feeding the Kaka at Breakfast

Wildlife….. kaka feeding out of your hand at breakfast…. to the fishing….. if a blue cod doesn’t bite within a minute or so it’s time to move

Bullers Mollymawk, a lesser albatross and master of flight

Seabirds…. majestic albatross soaring around the boat…

Masons Island and the Gutter, on a quiet day

Coastline… rugged, wild and sea swept….

Totara on Ulva Island

Forest…. Ulva Island is as close to pristine as any place in New Zealand you and I will ever be allowed to visit.

Easter Orchids hanging over the track on Ulva

Orchids covering forest banks and hanging in profusion from branches. Stunning sunrises & sunsets, aurora and magnificent rainbows… the Islands Maori name is Rakiura, Land of Glowing Skies….

Hard to get to ??…. Not at All

Some may perceive the Island as remote, and hard to get to. I suppose for someone living in a huge city our Island must seem like the far side of the moon, and almost as hard to get to. But now with a minimum of three * 20 minute flights from Invercargill, or two return ferry crossings of an hour from Bluff each day , and many more in the summer, there really is no excuse for not exploring the Magic of Stewart Island.

Sails Ashore

Iris & Peter of Sails Ashore Lodge (with little helper)

At Sails Ashore, Iris and I have managed to get our winter chores behind us, and after spending June in Italy Iris has most of our vegie garden planted. Apart from the odd short storm, an incredibly mild winter and spring has our garden looking as good as it has ever been. Daughter Anne and her Border Terrier Eddie visited recently, much to the initial disgust of our two Borders, who had issues with a boisterous puppy visitor. Two, possibly three new restaurants will open this season. Last year we had just the hotel, a creperie and a fish and chippie. So will be good to have some more choices for our guests, once we have tried them out.
The oil drilling rig that worked here for a short while has departed with no obvious issues, and the community is currently discussing various management points about our soon to be imposed visitor levy. This will be $5 return added to the plane or boat fare and will be spent entirely on visitor infrastructure. I have discussed this with most of our guests who without exception support it, with the proviso that money be spent only on footpaths, toilets etc.
This year cruise ship visits will be down slightly, and critically the largest will be just 450 passengers max, so we won’t have the chaos of 1400 plus people wandering around our narrow roads. With only 28k of roads, and a

Blue Penguins close to the Village Wharf

population of under 400 plus maybe the same or a few more visitors here on any one day, dropping 1400 in on top of us gets just a bit tedious for the locals and probably doesn’t improve the experience for our “normal” visitors.

Boulder Beach, Ulva Island

Guests & a Sealion on Sydney Cove

Photographing Ladies Slipper Orchids on Ulva Island

…. Peter & Iris, Sails Ashore11 View St,
Stewart Island,
[email protected]
www.sailsashore.co.nz

64 3 219 1151
0800 783 9278

Picton Boy Joseph Sullivan knows how to produce two things: heart attacks in his family and friends and a gold medal winning race finish.
Coming from fourth place at the 1750m mark, Joseph, and rowing partner Nathan Cohen, sprinted home and crossed the line to win the final
of the Mens Double Sculls at the 2012 Olympic Games, becoming his home town hero. Joseph, and partner Nathan from Invercargill,
with their mind blowing sprint, won the first gold for New Zealand in these games, and have also honoured their respective clubs and
local districts with their provinces’ first ever gold medals.

Jeanne & Carl Beaumont
McCormick House
21 Leicester Street
Picton 7220
Queen Charlotte Sound
Marlborough
New Zealand

Ph:  + 64 3 5735253
Fax: + 64 3 5735263
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.mccormickhouse.co.nz

We get bunted everywhere hoping his milk will just appear !!
Spring is not so far away…the tulips are up..and we all hope to start picking up a few guests.

Kaikoura’s Whale run kicks off on the 15 September then we all look forward to the annual “Seafest” which attract about 8,000 visitors to the region for the festival. A superb variety of wines and seafood is to be had not to mention a good selection of live entertainment.  A reprieve from the empty accommodations of the winter months.
The men’s open Golf Day followed by the Kaikoura Trotting Cup all are great fun days
which are growing annually with guests coming from all over the South Island…and usually Kaikoura can turn on the weather…and crayfish…

www.fyffecountrylodge.com

Chris Rye and Colin Ashworth
Fyffe Country lodge
458 State Highway One
Kaikoura.

Every July in Dunedin is sweetened by the CADBURY’S CHOCOLATE CARNIVAL.

Dunedinites have been celebrating their love of chocolate for over 10 years, dedicating an annual carnival to the sweet treat.

But organisers have added a few surprises to this year’s programme, including a house that’s definitely good enough to eat. The chocolate house was one of the features of Dunedin’s Chocolate Carnival .  A team from Otago Polytech had the challenge of building a life-size house and painting it with 90 litres of melted chocolate. “Quite difficult to keep it warm enough to be able to make it spread easily,” says chocolate carpenter Graham Burgess.

“But yeah, we had a lot of fun. Students kept an eye on things as well and were quite keen to taste bits and pieces as we went along. ”

The team’s also been designing a new machine to release the 25,000 giant Jaffas for their annual race down the world’s steepest street.

But the icing on the cake was the chocolate creations of English food sculptor Prudence Staite. Bored of working with stone while doing an art degree at university, she turned to chocolate.

“I’ve always been obsessed with food, and always obsessed with art, so pretty much I fused that together at the age of two,” says Staite.

She’s worked in the Cadbury factory for more than a week making chocolate sculptures and decorations to go in and around the chocolate house – everything from an edible fireplace to chocolate cushions.

https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/217123/video-baldwin-st-jaffa-race

Here short history of chocolate – Food of the Gods:

The origins of chocolate can be traced back to the ancient Mayan and Aztec civilisations in Central America.  ‘Theobroma cacao’, meaning ‘food of the gods’, was prized for centuries by the Central American Mayan Indians, who first enjoyed a much-prized spicy drink called ‘chocolatl’, made from roasted cocoa beans.

The Aztecs introduced cocoa to the Spaniards, who took it back to Europe in the 16th century. However it was very expensive, so only the rich could afford it. Chocolate was exclusively for drinking until the early Victorian times when a technique for making solid ‘eating’ chocolate was devised.

August is going to be pretty hectic in Fletcher Lodge, we plan to paint the front of the house, carry on working on the second bedroom in the Sobieski Suite and carry on with landscaping our gardens. Hopefully, as most of my activities are outdoors, (painting and gardening) the weather will change for the worst, so I will not feel guilty by attending New Zealand International Film Festival.

Kia Ora from Dunedin

Ewa & Keith  Rozecki-Pollard

Fletcher Lodge, Dunedin

It's back!

What a historic day for New Zealand Rugby! 

Down here in New Zealand, its been a busy month for most of the HCP member properties.  Cities around the country have been hosting the world and it’s our belief that our owner/operators have succeeded in showing the world just how friendly and professional service in New Zealand can be!

This past Sunday the mighty All Blacks succeeded in bringing the cup back home for the first time since the rugby World Cup began here in 1987!

It has been an amazing World Cup and an amazing labor day weekend.  Now, it’s back to reality as all of our properties get ready to receive the many guests that will find themselves in New Zealand for our summer high season.

Congratulations to the All blacks, from all of us here At HCP!

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DQsfWuhaeI]

And just for good measure, here is a dose of true Kiwi and Maori culture.  This is, in our opinion, the best All Blacks Haka ever performed.  From their game against South Africa in 2005!

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K-UKp9dDFM]

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