Tuesday, 25 May 2010

WE CONQUERED THE RIMUTAKAS AND DIDN'T GET BLOWN AWAY- THEN WE EXPLORED THE WAIRARAPA - YOU SHOULD TOO!

There are some wonderful images on this Wairarapa Website with picture of the Rail link showing barriers to stop the trains blowing off the track on the Rimutaka line !
This region is the darling of the Wellington weekenders and a great wine growing region Martinborough.



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The distances aren't great but the area is well worth exploring - to say it is vibrant would be to undersell its charms. Like Marlborough in the South Island this is a foodies' paradise and there are two properties worth staying at here . One is Briarwood in Greytown  - if I say WOW again - would you think I was overdoing
it ? Well not actually - wow is an all-encompassing word that inadequately describes NZ -  its scenery and its charms. Briarwood is a self-contained property in a lovingly restored NZ Heritage Building and I have a soft spot for history - it abounds in this region. Liz Kennedy is a very talented lady and it shows in the interior of this Gem.
North of Carterton , in a wee place called Gladstone, is a fabulous new property Summit Lodge , a purpose built retreat with charming owners Jim & Tracey.
I haven't stayed there yet but I know they must be good as they are Members of 5 star and Heritage Inns and you have to be good to be invited to join these groups.
We would have liked to spend more time in this region - it is very picturesque - and a great region for R and R - especially when you are on a whistlestop tour of NZ .You now know you should have factored in more time for you visit here but don't worry, you can do what so many of the guests of  The Weston House  do ( that's our B and B by the way - just in case you had forgotten) and come back to NZ again and again.


The next blog will have us heading north again - this time to Hawke's Bay - oh dear more wine and food. 
But hey- someone has to do it!

1 comment:

The Summit Lodge said...

Hi- thanks for the mention - this is Tracey from the Summit Lodge in Gladstone. The Wairarapa is certainly under-estimated....so many beautiful places to explore - the Waiohine Gorge, Mt Bruce Bird Sanctuary, Castelpoint, the Tararuas.....I could go on and on! And then there is the wine - so much stunning wine and many wineries right on our doorstep. Did you know that Hood Aerorome in Masterton has a wonderful collection of vintage planes - watch out for Wings over Wairarapa next year. We are so luck to live in such a wonderful country! Wow, indeed!
Tracey