We love hearing from our guests. Kind comments, positive feedback, constructive comments that allow us to really ensure we are giving the best possible service in the best possible environment. We use Facebook, as it’s a huge business tool here in New Zealand, and Trip Advisor to allow guests to comment on their stay. We […]
I had such a fun time shopping at a little local market called Vetro last week. We have been talking about starting up the pizza oven again after a winter going without. This past long weekend was the perfect opportunity and a stop at Vetro gave me all the inspiration I needed. When I travel, […]
It’s the second year of planting a vegetable garden here at 1 Victoria. Last year, I spent the long Labour Weekend, in the pouring rain, planting out the seedlings that I grew from 4 little containers that we brought from Gaine Street where we were living. I kept reading about how this weekend was THE […]
Weston is passionate about brooms. Once she sees one, she picks it up, and carries it to us, nudging us not-so-gently to pick up the end and run around with her, as she keeps a hold of the bristles. She LOVES this, and Rod can spend hours playing with her and swinging her around. When […]
The kitchen has been humming along lately – we’re getting the breakfast routine down. It feels like quite the achievement to have fed 6 people breakfast on a Saturday morning before the time we’d normally be waking up. As much as I’d love to have a sleek modern kitchen with clear surfaces, the reality is, […]
After weeks of rain, grey skies and intense winds, this morning’s sunshine is the perfect way to start a weekend. I stole away after breakfast service for a run, and could not have been more happy. The pace was quick, and the view surreal. I have started running on the beach on the back leg […]
When Weston sees people approaching her, or across the sidewalk, or running by, or generally sees anyone… she sits and watches them. She’s basically waiting for them to come and pet her. The longer they take to do so, the longer we wait. She’s definitely successful with this approach, it’s confirmation of good manners, […]
Deck the rooms Brochure 2013 We were approached by the Taranaki Women’s Refuge to be a part of their “Deck the Rooms” fundraising event. We are honored, excited and full of ideas on how we can decorate the House for the season, and make it worthwhile for people to come through our doors. Taranaki is […]
Weston likes to get dirty and loves being outside. She digs in the dirt, coming up for air with black earth covering her white face and paws. On our walks she finds smelly things and rolls in them. And as the serenity on her face in this photo shows, she really loved encountering cows and […]
On our way to Wanaka for a wedding of our dear friends we stayed the first night at a lovely boutique hotel in Queenstown- Browns It was fantastic, and we relished soaking in all of the details. One thing that Rod noticed was a board that they created to hang all of the regional brochures. […]