FROM HAWKE'S BAY TO THE COROMANDEL VIA THE MIDDLE(OF THE ISLAND...)

Well, I remember it as a lovely day when we started but  as we headed over the Taraweras  - not truely mountainous like the Southern Alps but a good road through very scenic country - we glimpsed the sights through rain , fog and sunshine.Somehow the weather did not detract from the rugged beauty and added to the experience.The Napier-Taupo Highway (SH 5) is part of the themed 'Thermal Explorer Highway' from the NewZealand.com site ( much quoted as is the Best resource for NZ trip planning and I link frequently to specific areas mentioned in our trip.)We also travel along parts of this route as we continue our trip to Rotorua ( next bit )



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The other interesting area on this highway to Taupo is the Kaingaroa Forest  -
the largest man- made forest in the southern hemisphere.

Taupo itself is a great place to stay and the lake is the result of one of the biggest volcanic eruptions in the world - pick up some pumice (for free ) from the lakeshore to rub out those rough spots on your feet - that pumice may have landed there 26,500 years ago!
We lunched at the Replete Food Company - great food and even better prices - well recommended by us at least and great for a bite on route.
After lunch we departed north - destination Whitianga - through some of the nicest farmland in the country - through the prosperous country towns Tokaroa , Putaruru,  Matamata, Te Aroha. Every type of farming abounds here - timber, sheep and dairy. It is also a great horse breeding area  around the Cambridge - Matamata areas. The annual yearling sales are major earners for the breeders and NZ as a whole.Just a generic Google search under  'Cambridge Yearling Sales ' will give you an indication of the depth of quality in the thoroughbred bloodstock industry here.
We arrived in Whitianga late afternoon - the roads on the Coromandel are challenging but safe and the road into Whitianga would be wonderful on the world hillclimb circuit - if all the traffic was one-way and there were no speed cameras.But that is pure fantasy, so a sedate trip ensued to take in the equally spectacular views and thus we arrived at Villa Toscana .
The owners Giorgio and Margherita are amazing and have transported a slice of their wonderful country to the most magic location in the world - all exaggeration justified.
We stayed 3 nights - it should have been forever.This is a 'chill out' destination- great food area and , if you fancy some deep sea fishing then Giorgio is your man - he also is Mamma Mia Game Fishing and Scenic Charters - so you just have to enjoy yourself - you can't help it!

Not to be forgotten while visiting Whitianga was a visit to the home and business of New Zealand Encounters - a fabulous boutique NZ travel company - totally unique - totally committed to service  and your wishes. No standard plan for this firm - each of their itineraries is designed for you, the customer- totally tailored. I love small, owner operated travel companies - they are user friendly from the point of view of both the customer and the provider. Satisfied clients produce happy guests and memorable journeys . Win -  win - win situation.

Well that is all for now - my catch-up blogs are progressing - you ask for more and that surprises me - but it is not hard to enthuse about NZ as a destination - as I have said before - all this and no snakes.
All we could wish for is a win in the Rugby World Cup next year and paradise will be complete!

WAIRARAPA TO HASTINGS (MORE WINE COUNTRY)

You may be surprised to hear that there are a few regions left in NZ that don't grow grapes and make wine.I suspect that these regions actually brew great beer.But regardless we drink both and on a hot day spent gardening there is nothing quite like an ice cold beer - Gardener's Champagne - you can tell I'm partial....
The Hawke's Bay Region is famous for some of our finest reds Merlots, Cab Savs, Syrah to name a few.The Gimlett Gravels region of Hawke's Bay has more accolades for its reds (plus Reisling,Chardonnay and Sav. Blanc) than you could count on a rainy afternoon. Gisborne,  further north on the same coast , is one of the largest wine growing regions in the country, with over half of its grapes going into the production of Chardonnay - yes, there are still people that drink it and a fine drop it is too.
But we didn't go to  Gisborne this trip - we meandered north to our destination of Hastings and Havelock North through quaint towns called Eketahuna and Pahiatua.Past the wind farms on the foothills of the Tararua  and Ruahine mountain ranges just west of Woodville.An amazing site this is the location of the biggest wind farm in NZ  started back in the 1990's and continuing to expand.Onward to Dannevirke through more beautiful country to Hastings and our destination - Endsleigh Cottages in Havelock North.

But if you want a little detour before you get to Hastings - head to the small town of Porangahau  ( south east of Waipukarau  and can be seen on the map below ) and visit the hill called "Tetaumatawhakatangihangakoauaotamateaurehaeaturipukapiki-
maungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu" all up 92 letters, and has been entered into the Guinness Book of Records as the longest officially recognized place name in an English-speaking country.What does it mean? I just knew you would ask ‘The hilltop where Tamatea, with big knees, conqueror of mountains, eater of land, traveller over land and sea, played his koauau (flute) to his beloved . I thought it was obvious - the ultimate conversation stopper - spell it, say it and explain it!



           
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Back now to  Endsleigh Cottages - three ( two original and one replica - I bet you can't tell! ) wonderful properties all close to each other. Set in rolling country  is on the edge of Havelock North (which is minutes from Hastings) . I can't say enough about the dedication and energy of this Hastings couple, Margie and Denis Hardy , in the restoration and building of these wonderful early style colonial cottages.They are furnished beautifully in the style of their era and equipped with everything you could possibly require.I could have moved in and stayed for ever - it was so relaxing and comfortable.
The gardens are great too - check their website - you will not be disappointed - the reality outshines the description.

Of course I couldn't possibly leave this blog without mentioning Napier - our very own Art Deco Capital.
This all came about because the town was virtually obliterated by an earthquake in 1931 and the subsequent rebuilding has given us some architectural gems.Their Annual Festival has officianados of Art Deco traveling there from the world over - all in period costume and driving classic cars of the era.
All these wonderful places are easily reached in short drives from Endsleigh Cottages - so treat yourself to a short break you deserve it.

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!