A couple of Saturdays ago we had our first BBQ of the 'summer', at the very-kiwi, charming Hataitai house of friends Erica and Derek. Narrowly missing a second round of sausages, we drove to meet Roger's Dad Alan and Fay off the Auckland-to-Wellington scenic train. They settled in next door in the Quest Apartments and we dined at the Boulcott St Bistro - straight on the NZ lamb shank!
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| Brodie Estate cellar door |
On Sunday we drove over to Martinborough for a tasting and platter lunch at Poppies, followed by two more tastings and an introduction to the Brodie Estate vineyard dog, who stars in the book Wine Dogs of New Zealand. The biggest achievement was getting French-wine-loving Alan to admit the pinot noirs were "good". Roger cooked up Ngawi blue cod for a relaxed dinner in the flat.
The week produced some mixed weather but Alan and Fay explored Wellington thoroughly, on thorough daily instructions from Roger. They became locals at Karaka cafe next to the lagoon, where there is always entertainment in various forms of small boat being launched and paddled by a range of ages.
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| The Tobacco Company merged Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles |
On Friday we all headed up to Napier for the Art Deco Festival. We stayed in a hotel fit for a honeymoon, Mangapapa, which had its own vineyard and an amazing chef. On Saturday it rained for the first time on Art Deco weekend in 25 years. Undeterred, our first 1930s experience was a classic car tour with a very knowledgeable guide who took us all round the area, to Ahuriri and the best art deco suburban streets as well as the central buildings.
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| Furto |
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| Deco selfie |
Fay bought a hat, I bought a hat and we joined the people lining the streets to enjoy the classic car parade. There were some very beautiful cars, beautiful outfits and lots of umbrellas. We took tea and cake in an overflowing cafe with many fox furs.
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| Architectural pudding |
With the afternoon becoming decidedly soggy we headed back to change and go out for a wine taste. Te Mata estate and Craggy Range served us well, plus we met an entertaining Welsh woman. Dinner had to be at Mangapapa. It started with salmon and an oyster, then a vegetarian risotto, duck confit with delish trimmings, melon sorbet and architectural wonderment for dessert (see left). We learnt that the Japanese hotel owner was also one of the owners of Sony. We ate at a table next to a limited Picasso print.
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| Making the most of the 'picnic' |
Sunday was sunny. We drove up Te Mata Peak for the glorious Hawke's Bay views. However the previous days' rain had flooded the lawn and marquee of the Great Gatsby picnic, so the VIP event was held in a convention centre, where in true Depression style the guests made the most of a dark-ish room with minimal furnishings and a jazz band. The buffet was yummy and the music enticed an excellent Charleston-dancing couple to perform impromptu. These were Roger's favourite people, because they later told him he looked like a more attractive Daniel Radcliffe. He did have his Harry Potter glasses on at the time (see above).
Leaving the 'picnic' early (without the table wine - we were going to smuggle it out but they stationed someone on the door..) we scored some photos in the Navy's classic car before heading our separate ways: Alan and Fay to Rotorua for a Maori village evening experience and Roger and me to Wellington for work on Monday.
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| Sadly we weren't driven back to Wellington in it |
We had a beautiful week of Wellington summer and took Alan and Fay to two of our fave restaurants: Venetian tapas at Ombra and Asian fusion tapas at Chow. They then headed off on a 3-day road trip of the north part of the South Island, enjoying Nelson and Hanmer Springs particularly and eating a lot of mussels along the way. Back in the big smoke, on their final weekend we went to local favourite Scorching Bay for a paddle, back to Boulcott St Bistro for our last evening together and on the way to the airport to the Mt Vic Chippery for a final authentic Welly experience.
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| Scorching Bay |
Roger and I have a busy week ahead with double dragonboat training and double birthday present evenings for me. I'm also going to learn first aid!
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