We awoke knowing that we had to get back into gear with the Search for the Great New Zealand Cafe and also that catching up with friends and taking some time was also required. Creative thinking later, we managed to do both.
A number descended on the Mills family Cafe (Andy and Kirsty's) for brunch. Julias eggs, Micks bacon, Andys pancakes and general helpfulness by all. Best cafe we have been to yet. There were kids by the dozen and we were able to fine tune and add to the list of cafes to visit in the south by grilling the locals. All needs fulfilled. For a time my eyes were crossing as I could see my carefully designed plans disappearing with every new cafe suggeste. I especially liked the directions to one cafe that is north of Oamaru and south of Timaru, described as ugly but funky and run by 'Red'. Still don't know the name but am sure to find it.
The kids and adults mulled the afternoon away interspersed with an Elderflower collecting mission and de-honeying the Mills hive. The elderflowers are currently steeping to make cordial and there is not a surface in the kitchen that did not come into contact with honey as it was being seperated from its wax. Kirsty looks mighty fine in her bee keeping outfit.
After two very late nights it was an early bbq and early night for all. Back into work proper tomorrow.
6 December 2010
Saturday 4th December - Day 18
Great to be back in my other home, Queenstown. I have know the people here for over twenty years or so and there is nothing like not having to explain.
After 17 days together in close quarters both Matthew and I needed some time without the lovely short people (yes I know Ethan is taller than me). So Matthew headed out with Andy to do menly manly things at placemakers and in the process had a look at a cafe in a container called Smoko Run. I am yet to see it but the owner has a long and successful history in the cafe business so it is sure to be good. By the time they got back I was a little stir crazy and Matthew took the kids to the pool while Andy took me to Provisions in Arrowtown for coffee. I notice a theme to the one often at the Cafe...Andy. Fantastic food, location, service, coffee, the lot.
We were joined by a few friends for an impromptu catch up and slowly the gritted teeth relaxed and I felt a belonging that I don't feel in any other place in New Zealand. The problem is now, yet again, I want to come back and life conspires to keep me away. I feel many a conversation coming on.
Today was the day for the annual old friend christmas get together and completely unplanned I was lucky enough to go. Every one is older and wiser and much better looking than we were all those years ago. The drinking was no longer a main feature and it was more about whose child is doing what and how life has moved on. Much fun...much later than I am now used to and I was well and truely ready for bed on arrival home. Matthew had kindly offered to be babysitter to the masses and I believe he was pleased to pass on the mantle as we returned. No work today, nice.
After 17 days together in close quarters both Matthew and I needed some time without the lovely short people (yes I know Ethan is taller than me). So Matthew headed out with Andy to do menly manly things at placemakers and in the process had a look at a cafe in a container called Smoko Run. I am yet to see it but the owner has a long and successful history in the cafe business so it is sure to be good. By the time they got back I was a little stir crazy and Matthew took the kids to the pool while Andy took me to Provisions in Arrowtown for coffee. I notice a theme to the one often at the Cafe...Andy. Fantastic food, location, service, coffee, the lot.
We were joined by a few friends for an impromptu catch up and slowly the gritted teeth relaxed and I felt a belonging that I don't feel in any other place in New Zealand. The problem is now, yet again, I want to come back and life conspires to keep me away. I feel many a conversation coming on.
Today was the day for the annual old friend christmas get together and completely unplanned I was lucky enough to go. Every one is older and wiser and much better looking than we were all those years ago. The drinking was no longer a main feature and it was more about whose child is doing what and how life has moved on. Much fun...much later than I am now used to and I was well and truely ready for bed on arrival home. Matthew had kindly offered to be babysitter to the masses and I believe he was pleased to pass on the mantle as we returned. No work today, nice.
Friday 3rd December - Day 17
The plan had been to stay for two nights in Franz but once we had seen the glacier, with no cafes to do, we decided to move on. Ruby and I were up before the rest and into town for an early morning coffee and juice...more girly time...then the great packing machine and on the road for the longest day yet.
Surprising as it may seem the coast was cloudy and drizzly. I had seen a cafe at Lake Matheson in my research and we thought we would check out a bit of slick style to balance out the character cafes we had visited to date. The Lake Matheson Cafe is purpose built and architecturally designed, it caters to international and national travellers and is probably the most touristy cafe we have visited so far. That said it is in a fantastic location and the coffee was good, the food also. Part of NZ cafe culture is the tourist destination as tourism is one of our major earners and employers.
We had realised that the day was going to be a long one as we were going the distance to Queenstown. It became longer and longer as the photo stops increased in direct relationship to the beauty around. This stretch of road is probably my favourite in the whole of New Zealand. If the sandflies could be brought to heel, between Haast township and Haast Pass would be my home of choice.
Memories of the Contiki days surfaced as we were going through Makarora and as the petrol gauge was nearing empty we stopped at one of the only independent stations in New Zealand. It also happened to be a cafe, bar, souvenir shop and camping ground. With all of those things attached to a cafe in the middle of nowhere we had no choice but to do it for the book. Don't expect lavish fare, but solid good country food is present, along with a friendly face and number plates from around the world.
Thank goodness for good friends. We got a call from Andy who had willingly offered us queenstown accomodation. He let us know that there was a chicken in the oven and we could babysit as he and the lovely Kirsty were out for the evening. We arrived to family chaos like our own and immediatly felt right at home. Ruby and Gabs talked late into the night after abandoning a tent mission for the bedroom. Mika was finally able to sleep in the car after much nagging and Ethan decided to leave the tent for a less windy night. Matthew and I ended up in the gorgeous above garage loft that Kirsty and Andy have made into a haven and all was well in the world.
Surprising as it may seem the coast was cloudy and drizzly. I had seen a cafe at Lake Matheson in my research and we thought we would check out a bit of slick style to balance out the character cafes we had visited to date. The Lake Matheson Cafe is purpose built and architecturally designed, it caters to international and national travellers and is probably the most touristy cafe we have visited so far. That said it is in a fantastic location and the coffee was good, the food also. Part of NZ cafe culture is the tourist destination as tourism is one of our major earners and employers.
We had realised that the day was going to be a long one as we were going the distance to Queenstown. It became longer and longer as the photo stops increased in direct relationship to the beauty around. This stretch of road is probably my favourite in the whole of New Zealand. If the sandflies could be brought to heel, between Haast township and Haast Pass would be my home of choice.
Memories of the Contiki days surfaced as we were going through Makarora and as the petrol gauge was nearing empty we stopped at one of the only independent stations in New Zealand. It also happened to be a cafe, bar, souvenir shop and camping ground. With all of those things attached to a cafe in the middle of nowhere we had no choice but to do it for the book. Don't expect lavish fare, but solid good country food is present, along with a friendly face and number plates from around the world.
Thank goodness for good friends. We got a call from Andy who had willingly offered us queenstown accomodation. He let us know that there was a chicken in the oven and we could babysit as he and the lovely Kirsty were out for the evening. We arrived to family chaos like our own and immediatly felt right at home. Ruby and Gabs talked late into the night after abandoning a tent mission for the bedroom. Mika was finally able to sleep in the car after much nagging and Ethan decided to leave the tent for a less windy night. Matthew and I ended up in the gorgeous above garage loft that Kirsty and Andy have made into a haven and all was well in the world.
Thursday 2nd December - Day ?
So after a fantastic time in The New River Bluegum B&B it was time to head down the coast. We stopped in at the Bushmans Centre in Pukekura and that is an experience to have. Pete and Justine were off in their helecopter to the memorial service and the place was in the very capable hands of Katie, Justines daughter. She proudly told me they run the whole town just the three of them. Including the pub.
The centre is a cafe that doesn't serve espresso because with the three of them and buses coming through it is impossible to manage that kind of coffee making. I get the impression that if you pressed the point you may end up with a short sharp shift. The possum pies were free as long as you donated to the anti 1080 cause by $4.00 (it is illegal to comercially sell possum). The museum was a treat and I was well and truely got by the kids and the hard to see possum.
We made it into Franz Josef just after one and went up to the Glacier for a look. We took a short walk and then back to the Top Ten Holiday park for a spa and to settle in. Thanks for having us!
The boys wanted to go swimming in the coldest water in New Zealand and so with Matthew went back to the Glacier while Ruby and I chilled out and then went to the Pub for dinner.
Girly time out was just what was in order. After spending alot of time trying to explain to Ruby that the Pokies were not in fact great kids games and she could not play, we had a great meal and back home to bed. The boys returned later with takeaways and another day is done.
The centre is a cafe that doesn't serve espresso because with the three of them and buses coming through it is impossible to manage that kind of coffee making. I get the impression that if you pressed the point you may end up with a short sharp shift. The possum pies were free as long as you donated to the anti 1080 cause by $4.00 (it is illegal to comercially sell possum). The museum was a treat and I was well and truely got by the kids and the hard to see possum.
We made it into Franz Josef just after one and went up to the Glacier for a look. We took a short walk and then back to the Top Ten Holiday park for a spa and to settle in. Thanks for having us!
The boys wanted to go swimming in the coldest water in New Zealand and so with Matthew went back to the Glacier while Ruby and I chilled out and then went to the Pub for dinner.
Girly time out was just what was in order. After spending alot of time trying to explain to Ruby that the Pokies were not in fact great kids games and she could not play, we had a great meal and back home to bed. The boys returned later with takeaways and another day is done.
2 December 2010
Wednesday 1st December - Day 15
Again a short blog today. We don't have easy access to the net. It was a big day today. The biggest yet as far as travelling goes. We went from Motueka to Greymouth. After packing up early and assigning seats we drove through the very pretty Motueka Valley, back through Murchison and down the coast. We had intended to stop at the Charleston pub for lunch and discovered it was long closed and on the market. So we made ourselves comfy in the carpark to have a picnic. A very nice man from the local rafting company pointed us down to the beach where we found loos, picnic tables and a great walk to clear out the car cobwebs. The boys went right around the point and the waves were big, great fun.
After that we went on with a little trepidation to Greymouth. I wasn't sure if it was appropriate to be there doing cafes on the eve of the memorial for the lost miners. We ended up at DP one cafe and were welcomed by Sarah who runs the place for her mum Alison. On walking in I wondered what we had struck until I got past the counter and into a very funky and relaxed area of couches, old radios and much to the kids amazement an old fridge with completely iced up freezer box. they hadn't seen one of those before. The coffee was great and the relaxed intention is definitley fulfilled. Kids made a friend and ended up playing ball on the footpath and we had a fantastic coffee. This place is not slick and I say that as a compliment. Carvings are for sale at the counter and artwork around the walls. The cafe does not charge commision for sales, they are just promoting local artists who are more than likely friends who are now family. It has that kind of vibe where if you are included you are family.
After a chat and doing the photos we decided it was time to check out the B&B where we were staying. The New River Bluegum B&B run by Sharon and her husband whose name escapes me in the moment. harry is their 5yr old and he is a part of the working team.
The place is gorgeous and we were very well looked after. It was a shame we missed the outdoor bath being finished but if you go there it will be. Mika and Ruby played tennis and then they all went for a walk to the river and to see the horses while I read a book for the first time out. I woke up to their return thinking it was morning, whoops.
A lovely nights sleep and fantastic cooked brekky delivered the next day topped off our time here and now all are into the B&B concept wondering when we will get to the next one.
After that we went on with a little trepidation to Greymouth. I wasn't sure if it was appropriate to be there doing cafes on the eve of the memorial for the lost miners. We ended up at DP one cafe and were welcomed by Sarah who runs the place for her mum Alison. On walking in I wondered what we had struck until I got past the counter and into a very funky and relaxed area of couches, old radios and much to the kids amazement an old fridge with completely iced up freezer box. they hadn't seen one of those before. The coffee was great and the relaxed intention is definitley fulfilled. Kids made a friend and ended up playing ball on the footpath and we had a fantastic coffee. This place is not slick and I say that as a compliment. Carvings are for sale at the counter and artwork around the walls. The cafe does not charge commision for sales, they are just promoting local artists who are more than likely friends who are now family. It has that kind of vibe where if you are included you are family.
After a chat and doing the photos we decided it was time to check out the B&B where we were staying. The New River Bluegum B&B run by Sharon and her husband whose name escapes me in the moment. harry is their 5yr old and he is a part of the working team.
The place is gorgeous and we were very well looked after. It was a shame we missed the outdoor bath being finished but if you go there it will be. Mika and Ruby played tennis and then they all went for a walk to the river and to see the horses while I read a book for the first time out. I woke up to their return thinking it was morning, whoops.
A lovely nights sleep and fantastic cooked brekky delivered the next day topped off our time here and now all are into the B&B concept wondering when we will get to the next one.
1 December 2010
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