Well I’m back – I hope the sudden absence of ww posts was not too much of an issue. I’ll make it up in the next few days., I have a couple of monty tales to share with you. I was enjoying a non boating holiday at a place called Akitio, a coastal settlement on the lower east cape (Nth Island). Other than some tarsal on a few of the roads it has remained almost untouched in the last 100+ years. The photo above, taken by our host David Plummer, shows how wild & otherworldly at can be. A special place that delivered on my holiday wish list – dog friendly, beach walks, open fire, driftwood to collect, great food & nice company.
Went to an amazing country hotel , the Pongaroa Hotel, we missed the local ‘Hunt’ by a day, but I have included below a photo of a previous year. They get 800+ hunters entered & the main street is just lined with the kill. Not a good event for the vegetarians out there 🙂
The 9 1/2 hr drive was draining but it does keep the day trippers away 🙂
ps For Baden Pascoe, I include a photo of a Lister engine that was center stage at the pub.
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After considerable discussion among the 30 odd couples the decision was made to redirect the party bus to Huka Lodge. Of course, management and staff were absolutely delighted to see us as we tumbled out of the bus with our yapping, piddling pooches and one fiery, hissing moggie. And owing to all the other guests booking out the very next morning (strange, we thought) we pretty much had Huka Lodge to ourselves. The dogs especially loved the big white soft couches and many slept on the beds too while the cat made her home in front of the fire which we kept stoked up until the firewood ran out. Staff gave us free rein in the kitchen (they elected to take a couple of days off) so we took turns at playing master chef.. left a bit of a mess and used just about everything in the larder. So, all in all it was a fabulous and novel way of spending Easter. Pity you and Rob weren’t there, Bella would have loved swimming in the river with the other dogs and then drying off on the stunning Persian floor rugs in the lounges. Ah well, maybe you might consider it next time. As the staff hadn’t returned by the time of our departure to tote up the account we elected to settle at a later date. We left a note of thanks telling them we would certainly come back again.
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Have patience Master Smith.
Send me a few stories / photos.
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yes one day without a new WW is bad enough let alone a fortnight…………………..or did it just feel like that. Looking forward to the time Alan when you place wooden classics (SAILING) on WW or is that just wishful thinking
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Thank God you’re back. I was getting the shakes.
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Alan, Good to see you have had a nice weekend. I admit having to google the spot, what a gem!
Thanks very much for sending the latest mag with the Rotoiti coverage much appreciated and a nice surprise opening the book at the suggested page. Cheers
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