4 January 2011

3rd Jan - Wellington/Martinborough

The time has come to get on with the work. After a late start we made our way over to Martin brough. We had a cafe recommended there and thought that the journey would be short as it looks so on the map. Rimutaka (sp) hills, windy mountains, put paid to that idea and we were relieved to finally arrive in a cute wine oriented township. The cafes were interesting as a whole and we will see what ends up in the book. Most favourite thing in town were the berries being sold in the park and the gelato on the side. Ruby was the only partaker in Gelato (mission continues) but on a really hot day it was a treat.
Back into the city and Hamish looked after us at Midnight Espresso. Well not Hamish alone, his lovely daughter Alissa looked after Ruby while we got on with business. Midnight Espresso is an institution that has systems a regular hospo worker would struggle to recreate but that have worked for over twenty years. They are open 363 days a year and are responsible for aspects of New Zealands cafe culture that we now take for granted.
Started by the Havana boys Midnight Espresso stayed in the family with Hamish being a primary school peer and friend. Hamish has been the owner for eleven years and has built on what was already working. We managed to talk for over 2hrs. There was alot to tell. Ruby made her own plans to spend each and every day in Wellington in Midnight Espresso. This desire was helped along by the kitchen access facilitated by Alissa and having a mate to play with.
A good day.

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