Category: Wellington Region

Wellington Chocolate Factory

On By exploringthelongwhitecloudIn North Island, Wellington RegionLeave a comment

I have always had a sweet tooth. I’ve been told I didn’t try my first chocolate until I was at least 2 years old, but it did nothing to prevent me from being a chocolate lover.

Today, Mum and I did a tour at Wellington Chocolate Factory. The first time I tried their chocolate was about 4 years ago and to be honest, I wasn’t really a fan. I was comparing it to the mass produced, super sweet, candy style chocolate I had grown up with from the supermarket. About 3 years ago I went refined sugar free for a year. The one exception being a 90% cocoa chocolate that had about 5-6 % sugar. It was during this time that my palate really developed and I was able to start appreciating the sophisticated flavours that come through in good quality chocolate.

Wellington Chocolate Factory (WFC) is on Eva Street which, in recent years has transformed from a dodgy feeling alley way, to a very popular artisan food street.

When I first step foot inside the building, the first thing I notice is the rich, sweet smell of warm, decadent chocolate. The aroma wafting through the New York Loft style building.

We are introduced to our host Jess and taken through into a quiet room to learn all about the ‘Bean to Bar’ process.

Artisan chocolate, like the ones produced here, are not as processed. They are treated in a way that enhances and celebrates the natural flavours and characteristics of the cacao beans. The ‘Bean to Bar’ practise is becoming more popular now in New Zealand, but WCF were the first to start doing this in NZ. Ethics, innovation, fair trade and sustainability are all key pillars for the company. They work directly with fair trade suppliers, like Trade Aid and the growers to source their beans.

The beans that WCF use are sourced from Central South America (Peru and Dominican Republic) and the South Pacific. Chocolate originates from South America and dates way back to the Aztecs and Mayan times. However, today, about 80% of the world’s cacao actually comes from the Ivory Coast and Ghana in Africa. Sadly, there is a big monopoly there and it does play a part in child trafficking and slavery.

There are many varieties of Cacao trees, one of the oldest being the Criollo from Peru. It has some beautiful fruity tones and this is the one WCF use for their single origin dark chocolate. From the Dominican Republic they source another old variety called Trinitario which is known for it’s earthy, citrus tones.

Just like wine, the growing conditions, the soil, weather, climate, etc, all contribute to the flavour notes and characteristics of the bean.

After harvesting, the beans are fermented and dried. They are then packed and shipped off to manufacturers. It is at this stage that WCF receives their beans.

While munching on our complementary vegan chocolate chip cookies, Jess talks us through the process of how they make their chocolate before taking us on a short tour of the factory to see it with our own eyes.

The first step is sorting. WCF remove any beans that are broken, have holes in them, shriveled or fused together. They are also on the look out for foregin things, such as stones, sticks and string. Apparently WCF have also come across a bouncy ball, lizard skull and a barbie doll shoe in their bag of fermented, dried beans.

Roasting happens next. This is the most important stage. Over roasting will kill the flavours, getting it right will celebrate the natural characteristics of the bean. We get to try a roasted Peruvian bean. It’s crunchy and bitter, but not nearly as bitter as I was expecting. It has a beautiful nutty flavour and I really enjoy this. Pieces of this roasted bean are what is known as Cacao nibs. They are a super food, high in antioxidants, selenium and endorphins.

The cacao nibs are then ground in a stone grinder. This process takes 3 days. Sugar is added at this stage, along with milk or flavours if they are being used. We learn that you can’t add liquid to the chocolate, so to add milk, it needs to be milk solids.

We all gather around the little room, peering in through the glass, watching the grinder mix all the glorious, smooth liquid chocolate. The stuff in here has been grinding for 2 days and Jess scoops up a cup for us to try. It has a very fruity flavour but it’s not very smooth yet. It still needs another day in the grinder to properly mix in the sugar and cacao.

After 3 days, the chocolate will be poured into tins to set. It will keep like this for a long time and WCF are starting to experiment with aging the chocolate at this stage. (It’s starting to sound a bit like wine) Any flavours added to the chocolate are infused into it during the grinding stage. They don’t have the equipment to have chunky bits embedded into it. Instead, if desired, they will sprinkle textured flavours onto the back. (Like the salted caramel brittle, which is amazing by the way!) Once set, the bars are then hand wrapped and ready for sale.

And there you have it. The Bean to Bar process.

But the tour is not complete, we still need to sample the goods. We were able to try 10 different flavours (and I have to say, they were pretty generous with their tasting sizes). From single origin chocolate to a vegan coconut chocolate to collaboration with Scale Grace gin, there was no shortage of deliciousness and innovation. My favourite was the single origin (honestly, I had no idea a plain chocolate could have such complex, interesting flavours) This is the take home bar I choose, but it was a tough choice, the dark salted caramel was also outstanding. Even the coffee one was pretty good, and I don’t even like coffee!

The tour was meant to last an hour but our group had a lot of great questions and we found ourselves there for the best part of 2 hours. It is the most fascinating tour and Jess’ passion and enthusiasm for the products shine through. It is so refreshing to see a business that builds its foundations upon fair trade and sustainability.

We ended our tour with a complementary cup of their hot chocolate and a greater appreciation to the love and effort that goes into making our favourite sweet treat.

A Foodie Weekend in Petone

On By exploringthelongwhitecloudIn Wellington RegionLeave a comment

Sometimes it’s easy to forget how many great things there are to do right on our back door. So this weekend, I’m doing some local activities and having a foodie weekend in Petone. I am booked into a cake decorating class on Saturday morning with my sister in law, and a ravioli making class with my brother on Sunday afternoon.

It’s guaranteed to be a delicious weekend.

We arrive at the Cake it Forward studio eager to get our cake on and learn some skills. We are warmly greeted and offered a complimentary tea or coffee from the cart out front. A great start. We chat with some of the other ladies while waiting for everyone to arrive. Classes are small with a maximum of 6 people, great for learning lots of new things and keeping a casual relaxed atmosphere.

Could you imagine a birthday without gifts? Without a birthday cake to celebrate your special day? I know that I am lucky to have never experienced this, but there are many for whom this is a reality. Cake it Forward was started by Bridget as a hobby but it has grown into much more than that. Wanting to teach her daughter that they have enough ‘stuff’ and that there are others who don’t have a lot, Cake it Forward has partnered with the Angel Tree Programme. Through this programme, she is able to bring some joy and happiness to children on their special day, by donating birthday cakes to children with parents in prison. I also noted that Bridget has adopted and fosters rescue dogs. What a legend!

Today, we are trying our hand at creating a rainbow drip cake. I have made many cakes in the past, so I was surprised at how much I learnt in this class. I was already OK at making cakes, but these skills have enabled me to work to a much higher standard with a professional looking finish. They are simple tips, but make a big difference to the end result.

Over the next 2 hours we watch demonstrations, have hands-on experience decorating our own cake and learn lots of tips and tricks. I quickly realise what a big difference it makes having the right equipment. I love the cake turntable and palette knife, they’re a game changer! Bit by bit we build our masterpieces, stacking the layers, crumb coating and then creating some magic with the rainbow icing. We learn how to create a chocolate drip finish and garnish with our home made chocolate shards.

This 2 hours class was so much fun and the time went by so quickly. At the end of the session, I was able to take away a beautifully decorated, 3 tier cake to enjoy with the family. I love the motive behind this business venture and was glad that I could be a part of it today. I have since made 2 birthday cakes and the skills I learnt have been so useful with these. I am sure I will be booking in for another class soon. I have my eye on a cupcake class!

On Sunday afternoon my brother and I head to La Bella Italia ready to spend the afternoon soaking up some Italian atmosphere. La Bella Italia is an authentic Italian restaurant serving up delicious meals in a casual setting. You will also find quality Italian products you can purchase, from pastas, cheeses, meat and of course gelato. Everything that reminds me of Italy.

The class begins with a glass of prosecco and a large platter of antipasti shared among the group. I love Italian food and this brings back some wonderful memories of eating my way around Italy, especially Bologna, gosh, the food was incredible there! Bellissimo.

After getting our fill of these tasty bites, we head to the tables all set up with ingredients and pasta makers ready for us to use.

We begin with mixing the eggs and gradually adding the flour to make a globby mess that eventually becomes dough. Now the hard part, kneading it until it becomes the right consistency – smooth and elastic. This takes quite a long time and I am pleased to have James with me to put in the hard work. I am a bit useless at this step!

When the dough is ready (after what seems like ages) we let it rest while we clean up our work bench, ready to roll it out. We get a demonstration from the chef and then it’s our turn. Working with half the dough at a time, we put it through the rollers, changing the setting every couple of turns to roll it out thin.

Once we have the right thickness we can add the fillings. There are 2 options, feta & ricotta and a pumpkin one. Yum! We roll balls of fillings and place it on the pasta before folding the pasta over to enclose it.

The last step is to use a pasta wheel with a zig zag edge to cut it. Using this also seals the two layers together so the filling doesn’t come out when cooking.

And that’s it. Easy right?

I have to say, making pasta is a labour of love! But tonight I will be having Italian, made the Italian way.

Exploring Patuna Chasm

On By exploringthelongwhitecloudIn Wellington Region5 Comments

This particular Sunday morning started even earlier than on a work day. Our alarm sounds at 6:15 and by 6:50am we are out the door. The day hasn’t woken yet, it’s still quite dark and the birds are only just starting their dawn chorus. As we head along the motorway we start to see a dash of blush, peeking out from behind the hills. A little early morning mist clings to the land. We are watching the day wake up and it’s beautiful.

Today we are doing a walk at Patuna Chasm. It’s been on my bucket list for about 3 years. Finally we are doing it. Patuna Chasm is in the Wairarapa on private land so you have to book, and it’s popular. It’s also only open over the warmer months of the year, which is why it has taken us so long to do this.

We are on the first walk this morning, departing at 8:30am and are joined by my mother & father in law. We arrive and get ready, it’s a wet walk, some of it being through a river, so we change our clothes and shoes into ones we are happy to get wet and I make sure my phone is in a snap lock bag. Before beginning the walk we read through the safety signs. It mentions that in some parts the river is 1m deep and more. I knew it was a wet walk, but I didn’t realises it was that deep. This is going to be fun. And cold.

We depart punctually at 8:30am on the back of a trailer fitted with chairs. The seats are all wet, probably from the dew last night and I have a very wet bottom before we even enter the water. It’s a bumpy drive out to the start of the walk. I am fortunate not to suffer from motion sickness and actually really enjoy this type of travel. Our driver manages to navigate some pretty tight bends and after about 20 minutes we arrive at the start of the walk. After a bit of a safety briefing we are off.

Around 16 – 18 people are in this group, but we pretty quickly all find our own pace and spread out. The first part of the walk is through native bush. When I picture native bush, this isn’t what I imagine, it’s quite scrubby, but native bush is exactly what it is – manuka, kawakawa and ferns. The bush is peaceful, void of city noises. I can hear cicadas, magpies, running water and the odd bleat from some sheep.

The first part of the track is quite muddy and slippery. I take care not to fall over, while Daniel goes out of his way to slide in it, doing some mud surfing. The track then leads into a steep incline. I am actually surprised how well I manage it. I’m not huffing and puffing to the same extent as usual when I reach the top. We walk along the ridge for a bit before coming to a huge limestone rock that has it’s centre worn away. It looks like a big wave and is very impressive. The rock is smooth and super fascinating, a great place to get some photos.

A little further on and we begin to descend into the chasm. There is a rope to help us abseil down the bank.

When we get closer to the river I notice an old fossilised shell embedded into the rock. I find it fascinating at how much detail is in it and thinking about how many thousands, millions of years it might have been there.

It’s now time to enter the water. The wet part of the walk has begun. The first moment it feels freezing and I wonder how I am going to manage walking in this cold water, waist deep, but after a minute or so it doesn’t feel so bad (probably because I have gone a bit numb.) We walk up the river going slowly, navigating the rocks, some of which are quite slippery. Taking small steps is key. We see the huge rocks of the chasm, washed smoothed, shaped by the flow of water over many years. The rock face in some areas is engulfed in vibrant green moss with water droplets glistening in the light. It is simply beautiful.

It’s not too long before we approach a waterfall. Water pouring down over the rock face and moss in tiers, fanning out into the pool below. The photos don’t do it justice. My mother in law offers to take some photos of me next to the waterfall so I head out, but next minute, without even thinking, I just go and stand right under it. The water is very fresh, but so magical. And I just stand there, getting completely drenched under a spray of cool water.

I feel very alive after that and we carry on with our walk. This time we are going back down the river, towards where we first entered the water and then carry on past it to do the rest of the walk. For most of the walk, the water is below my knee, but one part gets very deep. The rest of my group decide to get out of the water and find a way around the side, but you know me, I just swim through it. I am totally soaked, from the neck down, but I’m loving it. We get one beautiful, precious life and I find moments like this, getting wet, taking the ‘road less traveled’ is what makes life so sweet for me.

We are lucky to have such a perfect weather day. There is no wind and in the patches where the sun manages to break through into the chasm, it’s quite warm. I imagine it could be a very cold walk on some days. We then approach the part of the walk where it starts to close in and get dark. We were told by our guide at the start that it would, and he assured us it was the right way. Just as we start to enter it, there is a big hole in the rock above and light floods in. It’s so bright it kind of hurts my eyes. I also find that the darkness of the chasm and the brightness from above intensifies the colours of the forest canopy. There are so many different vibrant shades of green.

Further in, there is a spot where the only light is coming from some cracks in the rocks above. This is such a unique experience and quite an adventure.

We finally make it to the end of the walk and climb out. We need to walk along the river bank for a while before heading up to the collection point. But there is also an optional swim add on, it brings you out further up the river and then you just walk back along the farmland to the collection point. No one in my group wanted to do this so I begin following them on land, but looking down at the group that has decided to do the add on swim, I just keep thinking, I’m missing out. And so, I join them.

Most of this last part is in water below my knee and we walk through another little cave. This one has some pigeons in it and their soft cooing is echoed around inside. Beautiful. The last part of the walk is where you have to swim. Well, you can walk, it was probably up to my shoulders, but I chose to swim, and it was excellent. I’m glad I listened to my gut that said, go do the swim.

Back at the collection point I enjoy the warmth of the sun on my skin and wet clothes while we wait to be picked up. The drive on the back of the trailer is cold. The combination of wind and wet clothes is chilly, but I remind myself, it’s only temporary and once back at the car park I am in warm dry clothes in no time.

We then make our way to Featherston for one of the biggest burgers I have had from Vixen. Delicious. And it certainly satisfies the hunger created on this walk. Their fries are pretty good too.

Its a challenging walk, the rocks were quite slippery in places and the water deep at times, but if you take it slowly and absorb your surroundings, I am sure you will see it for the adventure it is. You will spend the majority of the walk in the water, I timed about 50 minutes on land and about 1 3/4 hours in the river.

Ōtaki Retreat

On By exploringthelongwhitecloudIn Wellington RegionLeave a comment

I did this trip in December 2022, but have only had a chance to post about it now.

It’s become a bit of a ritual – my annual solo retreat, one that I really look forward to and was really needed at the end of last year. 3 days, on my own, in sunny, relaxed Ōtaki, doing what I wanted, when I wanted.

It was a hot drive up, but I arrive at a little slice of kiwi paradise (there are lots of those here.) My Airbnb host is there to welcome me and help settle me into the cute little studio at the back of her section. I quickly ditch the shoes (barefoot is always better) and climb into the hammock to read my book with a cold drink and listen to the bird song.

I spend about 3 hours here. Reading my book, reflecting on 2022, thinking about what I would like 2023 to hold for me. It is both a luxury and a privilege to be able to do this.

I self cater some nachos for dinner, simple but delicious and enjoy these alfresco. I am only an hours drive from home, but the climate is so different here, warmer for sure, but more noticeably, less windy. It makes outdoor activities so much more enjoyable!

I am not far from Ōtaki Beach, so I head down after dinner to watch the sunset. It’s a large sandy beach that stretches as far as the eye can see, in both directions. The golden sun is starting to slip away behind Kāpiti Island. I go for a walk and let Mother Nature engulf me. I close my eyes and listen. I listen for some time. I expect to hear a car, voices, a dog barking, but nothing. Not even a squawking seabird. Just the rhythmic, soothing sound of the ocean, washing away the stress & busyness of the last few weeks, rejuvenating me.

 I love the slower pace of life you get on the Kāpiti Coast! Why is it so hard to be this still, this peaceful, this relaxed, at home?

Each year, when I book my trips, there is a particular draw card that takes me to that area. When I went to Waiheke, it was for the glamping and wine tour. Marlborough Sounds was for Lochmara lodge, Carrington was about the little log cabin in the country side. My reason for Ōtaki? Strawberry picking. I don’t know where the idea came from, but I decided that for this trip, I really wanted to go strawberry picking!

So the next morning, despite there being a bit of rain about, I head out to Ohau to Shirley’s Strawberries to try my luck. They were open for picking over the weekend, I am hopeful they aren’t all picked out. But it’s my lucky day! I am told they are mostly picked, but to try the first 4 rows. It’s hard to explain how (or why) I was so excited about picking some strawberries, but I was! The staff there were so friendly and the sun even came out.

I slowly wander up and down the rows, I honestly don’t think I have ever seen so many strawberries this size. They are huge! The bright red flesh stands out vividly against the leafy green foliage, making them easy to spot, but I also find, if you rustle among the leaves, there are even more delicacies to be found. It takes me a while to fill my bucket (its cardboard – always nice to see biodegradable packaging) and it’s quite hard work, there is a lot of bending involved. But when I leave 40 minutes later with my tub full of freshly picked strawberries, I am feeling very satisfied.

I drop the strawberries home, sample a few of course, and then head down to the estuary for a walk. It turns out to be more of a beach walk, perhaps I took a wrong turn, I’m good at doing that! Regardless, it’s still enjoyable. I love our beaches at home, they are rocky, wild and rugged, but sometimes you just want a sandy beach. There are plenty of those here, and this one I pretty much have to myself!

Before leaving, I make myself stop and listen again. It’s too easy to just walk or view everything through a cellphone camera. I want to make sure I am taking in as much as I can. So I find some driftwood to sit on and close my eyes. I can hear the roaring waves again. Obviously, I am on the beach, but today, they are competing with the sound of the seabirds and cicadas. I feel the cool, refreshing breeze on my face and the intensity of the sun on my feet through my black shoes. I open my eyes and see a dog, sprinting along the beach, chasing birds, having the time of it’s life.

Before heading back to my Airbnb for lunch, I decide to stop by the local dairy for a sneaky ice cream. It’s a classic kiwi blue dairy, the sort of dairy that goes hand in hand with a New Zealand Summer. I go for a kiwi classic, Hokey Pokey ice cream, in a cone. It’s creamy, delicious and melts quickly!

Back at home I participate in the great Mediterranean practice of taking a siesta. Outside on the grass of course, under the shade of a grapevine. This is bliss. Why is it so hard to do this at home? I watch puffs of clouds twist in the sky and then evaporate into nothing. There is just a bright blue canvas above me. Birds feed nearby, looking for worms and little buttercups are dotted about, their cheeky yellow blooms adorning the grass.

After a couple of hours, it’s time to get up. I can’t stay here all day. Well, actually I could if I wanted to. I love that about this trip. However, I want to get in another walk, so I head to the opposite end of Ōtaki beach this time to do the river walk. The track follows the river, it’s icy blue water looks so inviting, it’s a hot afternoon. I walk for about 3/4 of an hour. I have no agenda, no where else to be, nothing else I need to be doing. I am simply walking for the joy of walking. 

It’s my last night here, so I head to the beach again for the sunset, walking barefoot in the sand, waves lapping at my feet. The water is surprisingly not too cold!  

This has been a weekend of rest and relaxation. Food for the soul. I highly recommend taking a solo retreat!

Also, note to self, I really must put up my hammock, it’s only been sitting in my cupboard, unused, for about 7 years! I am certain I could get good use out of it in 2023.

Exploring Putangirua Pinnacles Scenic Reserve

On By exploringthelongwhitecloudIn North Island, Wellington RegionLeave a comment

I don’t know about you, but I have quite a long bucket list of places I want to visit and experiences I want to have in New Zealand and abroad. Some, like a weekend at Lakestone lodge, come with a rather large price ticket attached. Others can be enjoyed for free.

The Pinnacles Track is a walk in the Wairarapa that I have been wanting to do for some time. It featured in Peter Jackson’s LOTR – Return of the King film as The Path to the Dead. Whether you are a LOTR fan or not, this is an excellent walk and a great place to explore.

Let me set the scene; It is Matariki (Maori New Year, the first year this has been a public holiday here) and Daniel and I have decided to take the opportunity to go exploring. It’s a cold day, but the sun is trying to break through the clouds as we make the 1.5 hour drive to the reserve. I do love winter. Especially on a calm, still day. The soft blue hues of winter skies and cool mist hugging the bare trees, it’s quiet and peaceful. It’s a scenic drive, and even if we weren’t going for the walk, it would have been a nice day out.

We arrive late in the morning and I am quite surprised by the number of cars that are here. For a walk that is so remote, it seems pretty popular. We set out along the trail, if you can really call it that. You can’t really get lost (and that’s saying a lot coming from me) but the track is more just walking along the river stones, following the stream. It gets a bit muddy in parts and several times we have to cross the river, jumping across stones. (Flash back to our Abel Tasman Walk earlier in the year where I pulled a muscle in my leg from jumping over stones) Needless to say, I take a lot of care doing this. No injuries this time, and I stay dry. Good job!

The first half of the walk is flat, easy walking, following the river. Toi Toi and flax grow alongside the river and the surrounding hills are green with vegetation.

And then the landscape changes. We leave the river and the green hills behind us. This will be hard, I can see the incline goes on for sometime. I try to pace myself and watch my footing. We are walking on a mix of stones, gravel and shingle. And then Daniel calls out “Frog”. I look over to where he is pointing and just above his foot is a little green frog. I think it’s the first time I have seen a frog in the wild. It just sits there, its little webbed feet clinging onto its rock, not really bothered by us.

While part of me would like to hang out here for a while and continue watching the frog, I know I need to keep moving before I lose my momentum.

This is the first time since leaving the river that I have really looked up. We are in a fairly narrow channel, surrounded by tall, straight rock cliffs. It’s a really impressive sight. We make it to the top, stopping to take it all in and look at how high we climbed. The rock formations are something else, small and large rock chips fused together with a natural cement that has gradually been eroded away over time. They are so tall and straight, standing proud and towering overhead.

We head back along the same track to the river. The surface is rocky and uneven, so I spend a lot of time looking at my footing so I don’t trip. This does mean that I blindly follow Daniel into the mud. He is agile enough to be able to jump up onto the side of a hill and bypass it. Me on the other hand, well, I just have to go through it. (On reflection I could have back tracked and found a different route, but I didn’t have that thought at the time.) So I finish the walk covered in thick mud, well past my ankles. What an adventure.

We make it back to the car, and since we are in The Wairarapa, we head home via one of my favorite towns, Martinborough, to sit in the sun at The Village Cafe and refuel with some lunch. It was an excellent day out.

Escape to the Country

On By exploringthelongwhitecloudIn North Island, Wellington Region5 Comments

When our 4th round of IVF ended in November 2018, I knew it was time to close the door on the dream of having children and time to start re-dreaming a new future. I made a promise to myself, that I would make time for the things that I love and that life would be an adventure.

Travel is one of those loves.

Self care looks different to everyone; for some, it might be a bubble bath or a manicure. For me, it’s immersing myself in nature, creating time to be with my thoughts and slowing the pace of life right down.

So, for the last 3 years, I have gone on what I call my ‘annual solo retreat’. 2-3 nights, holidaying on my own, at a destination of my choosing. I do as much or as little as I like, when I like and it is bliss.

The first year I went to Waiheke Island for zip lining, wine tasting and glamping. Last year it was paddle boarding, kayaking and exploring in the Marlborough Sounds.

This year, it was a little cabin in Carrington in the Wairarapa. 3 days of solitude, rest, nature and recharging my batteries.

It’s a grey, rainy day, the first of my solo trips not to be bathed in sunshine, but I am not bothered. I arrive at my accommodation, step out of the car and am greeted with the snorting of 3 ugly / cute kunekune pigs.

My little cabin is idyllic. Set on a hill, surrounded by trees, looking out across the hills. The first thing on my agenda is a cup of tea, which I drink, sitting on the porch, soaking in the stillness, birdsong and the soft pitter-patter of rain on the roof.

The birds are abundant and I enjoy just sitting there watching them flying around. In the space of about 15 minutes I see tui, a hawk, goldfinches, magpies and a bright green parrot.

My afternoon is spent reading a magazine, watching TED talks with cups of tea and chocolate, snuggled up on the sofa beside a warm flickering fire.

Dinner is simple. A ravioli in pasta sauce and fresh bread. This trip is about making space to reflect on the year and delighting in the simple.

It’s starting to get dark, it’s still raining and there is an outdoor bath that I just can’t resist. I fill it and then settle in for a soak. I watch the change in the clouds as night draws near and the birds making their final flight as they find somewhere to rest for the night.

There are no city noises, just the whoosh of wings above me, rain and the gurgling sound of the nearby stream. This is food for the soul.

As it gets darker, the insects and bugs of the night come out. There are large buzzing noises near my ear and a very large silhouetted moth against the fading sky. I don’t have an issue with insects and really, there is nothing here that can hurt me. We don’t have super poisonous critters or dangerous mammals. New Zealand is a pretty safe place.

It’s a shame that the stars aren’t out, but I still leave my bath feeling warm and relaxed, ready to settle in for the night.

I wake in the morning to more rain on the roof, but again, I don’t mind. It’s not going to stop me from doing what I want to do. And besides, who doesn’t love the sound of rain on the roof. It is so soothing. It’s one of my favorite sounds, along with bird song.

I start to get hungry so I decide to leave my warm, cosy bed and venture out to a nearby town called Claireville. I have heard many good things about The Claireville Bakery. It does not disappoint! I am presented with a beautiful selection of fresh breads and pastries and it takes me a really long time to decide. I settle on an apricot danish and also get an almond croissant for tomorrow.

My danish is amazing and I wash it down with a cup of tea while I sit on the porch, watching the rain again. It may be wet, but it’s not cold. There is a nearby flax bush that is attracting the tuis and I watch them feed for a while before picking up my book to read. I will head out later in the afternoon for a walk before the forecast thunder and lightning arrive.

My walk is at the nearby Fensham Reserve. It has stopped raining finally, but the forest is still damp and wet. Forest is still pretty magical when it is like this. There is a large chorus of birds singing. The track is narrow but easy to follow and is surrounded by tall trees. The air is warm and cool, refreshing drops of water drip on me from the canopy above. Halfway into the walk it gets very humid and I reach a part of the track that is mostly underwater. The walk takes me a bit over an hour. I arrive back at the car park with very wet feet, but energised from the nature and fresh air.

Back at my cabin, I spend a couple of hours on the porch again, reading my book and watching the weather. I am waiting for the thunderstorm to arrive. It does, and it is awesome, I hear the deep rumbling noise, rolling across the sky above me. Night closes in and my second day comes to an end.

I wake to chickens this morning and open the skylight windows ever so slightly so I can hear the rain on the roof. This morning I am heading back to Wellington, but I leave feeling refreshed. This weekend has been a soak session. Soaking in nature and recharge my batteries.

The Cabin has been food for the soul.

Staycation Part 2

On By exploringthelongwhitecloudIn North Island, Wellington RegionLeave a comment

In Italy, I shamelessly ate chocolate filled pastries for breakfast every single day for 3 weeks.

As we check out of the hotel, I notice a lot of people across the road and remember that there is a weekly Sunday market here. We haven’t had breakfast, so I dash out across the road to see what delights I can find. No chocolate filled pastries, but I do manage to find an almond croissant dusted with icing sugar. Oh yes! It was divine!

With breakfast taken care of, we head to the first activity I have planned. The traditional wedding anniversary gift for 11 years is steel, so today, we are going axe throwing!

We arrive at Sweet Axe Throwing. We sign our lives away with the waiver form, go through a health and safety briefing and then the lessons begin. There are 3 different axes and we are shown how to throw each of them. Each requires a different technique. There are also option for throwing with 1 or 2 hands. Our “Axe-pert” patiently helps us with our techniques as we discover what works best for us. Daniel and I both even manage to get some axes on the board.

With music pumping and training complete, the tournament can now begin. We each choose our axe and line up. The battle begins. Daniel wins this round. And then the next round. Daniel was initially not looking forward to this as he’s a bit uncoordinated with his throwing but as he realizes his competition is not that tough, he starts to enjoy it more.

We then have a 3 minute quick fire competition, who can get the most points in 3 minutes. I tell you what, axe throwing is pretty physical! I am completely “axe-hausted” at the end of it. And Daniel wins again.

Last round. Winner takes all. This is my chance. Throw after throw, my axes connect with the board while Daniel’s drop to the ground. I am in the lead, this is looking good. But then I miss a couple and Daniel gets a couple of high scores.

It’s our last throw. Daniel steps up to the line. His axe soars through the air and makes contact. He scores and is now in the lead. I just need 1 point to draw, 2 points for the win. I just need to put the axe on the board and we will walk away as equals. I step up to the mark, line up my throw, draw back my arm….. My axe flies through the air, it hits the board and bounces off.

Game over.

Even though I couldn’t walk away as winner, it was so much fun. It’s always nice to do something a bit different.

With all that axe throwing, we have worked up an appetite so we head out to the Hutt Valley to Gorilla Burger. It’s another lovely sunny day and we enjoy sitting out in the courtyard, soaking up the sun, snacking on haloumi chips and burgers. It’s a wonderful, relaxed way to spend the time. I think we will be coming here again for Sunday brunch.

We have one last stop for our staycation weekend. Xcape Wellington. Neither of us have done an escape room before, we are not quite sure what to expect but are both looking forward to it. We have chosen one of their easiest rooms (also with a low scare rating, I hate scary things)

We enter the room with no real instructions of what to do, just our wits, intelligence and team work to answer questions and solve puzzles to try and escape the room. We spend the full hour in there and don’t quite manage to conquer it. We do however, finish up still married and liking each other, so I’d say it was a success!

This was another really fun activity and I think we will be going back again to try another one of their rooms.

When we think of holidays, our minds often head straight overseas or to another city away from home. These options are great, but if you do a bit of research and planning, I think you will find all sorts of unique and exciting things to do, right in your back yard.

Have you ever been on a staycation?

Staycation Part 1

On By exploringthelongwhitecloudIn North Island, Wellington RegionLeave a comment

As I head out down the driveway I get a few grumpy barks from Frankie. She is not impressed that she is being left behind and is making sure I know it. (I really must find a holiday I can take them on!)

This weekend, Daniel and I decided to celebrate our 11th wedding anniversary with a Staycation. So today, we are off to Wellington city.

Daniel is working till mid afternoon, so I decide to head in early on the train. It’s a rare, still Winter’s day. The water is so flat. Boats peacefully bob up and down in the harbour as a small swell in the water gently laps against the wharf. Seagulls are out squawking, effortlessly gliding through the air. Wellington has put on a great day.

Wellingtonians are out enjoying a drink at the many waterfront bars and restaurants. It’s the perfect place to soak up the last of the afternoon sun. The waterfront is a picturesque place enjoyed by many. People are out walking or running, on scooters and bicycles, having a chat in the sun and walking their dogs.

As I stroll by Kaffee Eis , I can’t help but call in for an ice cream. When I lived in Wellington CBD many years ago, I probably enjoyed this far too much, but it has been a long time since I have had one and my feet lead me straight up to the queue. It looks like a lot of other people have had the same idea. When I get to the counter, more than half the flavours have sold out. There is a passionfruit one though and that suits me just fine.

I enjoy the sweet creaminess of my gelato looking out across the harbour while listening to a busker. Sunshine, ice cream, music, views. A simple pleasure and time well spent.

I check in at QT Hotel. I love this place. Every wall and corner is filled with art. Sculptures, paintings, fashion, even a motorbike. It’s quirky and exciting. I take my time heading to our room, taking in all the colour and forms.

After a bit of a nap and soak in the bath (It’s a staycation after all, it’s meant to be relaxing) we head down to dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, The Hippopotamus.

At the Hippopotamus we are transported to a French court. Bright colours, luxurious textiles, and chic style, this place is a feast for the eyes. And to top it off, we are able to enjoy great views out across the harbour, watching the city lights twinkle off the ocean.

I am excited to see truffles on the menu. The first time I had truffles was a couple of years ago in Italy. I indulged in them, fell in love with them, and haven’t seen them on the menu anywhere since. So there are no guesses here as to what I will be ordering.

My entree is a gorgeous, silky smooth pasta in a delicately creamy sauce with huge shavings of Perigord Black Truffle from Christchurch. My mouth is watering long before my entree even arrives as I can smell the truffles in the air. This meal does not disappoint. It takes me back to Italy.

My main is a feast of Winter foraging. Pumpkin, chickpeas, kale, kumera, parsnip, herbs, radishes and more, come together to beautifully celebrate the delights this season has to offer.

Next is dessert. I have a bit of a sweet tooth and whenever we are out for dinner, it’s always the first section of the menu I look at. Before I even look at the entree’s and mains, I already know what I am going to have for dessert. I had decided on the signature dish, a deer milk gelato with honey comb and a few other things. Now here’s a funny story. I am feeling rather full at this stage and as Daniel tells me he is planning on ordering the same thing, I ask if I can share his. He reluctantly agrees. I head off to the bathroom and not long after I return, dessert is brought out. Just one plate, but I note that it looks like a rather generous portion. Turns out Daniel had told the waiter that I wanted to share his dessert and could we have a larger portion brought out on one plate. Very sneaky. But this kind of backfires as I have a few mouthfuls and decided it’s not really my thing and he is left to eat it all.

Happy anniversary Daniel.

Tunnel Gulley

On By exploringthelongwhitecloudIn North Island, Wellington Region1 Comment

I don’t think I have ever properly introduced you to my two best friends. They are the best kind of bestie’s you can have. The small, fluffy kind that are full of love and always happy to see you.

Meet Frank and Ed

Photo by Stu Corlett Photography

Frank (yes Frank the girl, Daniel named her) is a 5 year old poodle/bichon/westie cross. Her little brother Ed is a 3 year old poodle/shih tsu cross and they are the joy of my life. I love taking them out on adventures.

It’s a dreary, grey, rainy day but I am eager to get out for a walk with them. We decide to brave the weather. Our favourtie walk is Tane’s Track, at a place called Tunnel Gully in Upper Hutt. Although it is raining, this walk is mostly in the forest, so I think we will be ok.

As I turn onto Plateau Road, Eddie stands up, looks out the window and starts making his excited little squeaking noise. Even Frank starts joining in which is quite unusual. They know where we are heading and they are excited.

The road into Tunnel Gully is narrow and twisting. The mist is clinging to the hills. The park is green, lush and so inviting. Even in this weather.

We arrive at the car park and I am surprised to find we are not the only crazy ones who have decided to go walking today. Frank and Ed leap out of the car, they are raring to go.

I love this walk for many reasons, the first one being it’s dog friendly. There are lots of great walks in Wellington, but trying to find ones that are off lead dog friendly is a bit of a challenge. Tane’s Track is an easy 1 hour loop walk on a well maintained track. It goes through beautiful forest, has a waterfall, a picnic area, a tunnel to explore, native birds and streams.

There is so much to enjoy here. It’s quiet, peaceful and the perfect place for a little adventure.

It’s raining but we are not getting wet. The tree canopy is protecting us from the elements. Instead there is the gentle, soothing pitter patter of rain hitting the forest above us. Everything is dewy and glistening. The air is cool and fresh. Piwakawaka (Fantail) flitter through the misty branches, making their distinctive cheeping sounds. Tane’s track is a delight for the senses.

The forest here has many layers; large, ancient looking trees, covered in moss and vines. There are punga, palms and ground ferns and lots of examples of epiphyt here too. The forest is different to that which I was swooning over on the West Coast, but unique and beautiful in it’s own way.

The walk is mostly through quite dense, closed in forest, but at a couple of points, there are clearings which look out across the canopy. Looking out into the distance, all you can see is green, how great is it to be this surrounded by nature?

At several points the track takes you over or alongside a stream. There is one particular spot I always like to stop at. If you move a couple of rocks, sometimes you can find fresh water crayfish. I didn’t find any on this particular trip, but have done so several times before.

I also love to stop at the waterfall and listen to the sound of rushing water.

There is really only one part to this walk that is not in forest. Depending on which way you go, it is about 5 minutes into the walk (or from the end) It’s a large grassy area with eucalyptus trees scattered about. I kinda feel like I am in Australia at this part. There are picnic tables here and it’s often a nice place to stop for lunch (although not today) In summer the place is alive with chirping cicadas. In Winter it is a sleepy haven.

Before heading to the car, we take a short detour down to the tunnel, the feature that gives this park it’s name. Mangaroa Tunnel was built between 1875 and 1877, is 253m long and was used to connect the Wellington/Wairarapa railway. Although no longer used (it was closed in 1955 when the new Remutaka Tunnel was opened) you can still walk through the tunnel today. I didn’t go all the way through, but I do enjoy listening to the echoing sound of dripping water inside it.

We arrive back at the car and after an hour of exploring, I have 2 tired, muddy little pups who look like they have had an excellent time, but are also ready for a nap!

Exploring Greytown

On By exploringthelongwhitecloudIn North Island, Wellington RegionLeave a comment

My day starts with my morning yoga. Afterwards, I lie on the floor for a while, looking out the huge windows, up at the sky. I did some cloud watching last year in lockdown and remembered thinking then that I couldn’t remember the last time I had done that. It is one of those simple pleasures that I seldom make time for. The sky is one of nature’s stunning canvases that’s always changing. For me, cloud watching creates a place of relaxation and freedom from the mind. It allows me to escape from the tasks of the day and run away with ideas, creativity and dreams. You should try it sometime!

After cloud watching, we head out to Greytown, awarded the title of ‘New Zealand’s most beautiful small town’ in 2017. Greytown was first settled in 1854 and remains of the historical township are still present today. It’s a place I have driven through many times, but seldom looked around, making it the ideal place for day 2 of girls weekend.

If you are into shopping, you will love Greytown. There is such a selection here; Vintage shops, boutique shops, op shops and more. You can easily spend the day perusing the stores. And while we do look in every shop, the places that get my attention are the cafes.

One of our firsts stops is at The French Baker. There is such a delicious selection of sweet treats and pasties, it’s a really hard choice (I am sure there were savory options too, but I only had eyes for the sweets.) After changing my mind several times, I settle on the Almond and Pear Tart. One great decision made already for the day. It was absolutely stunning. Sweet, crumbly, melt in the mouth deliciousness, beautifully off set by the tangy yogurt. While I really only had eyes for my tart, the ambiance here is also lovely, with beautiful plaster designs on the ceiling.

Wandering down the street, I take time to enjoy the old buildings, beautifully restored with their old facades still intact. I notice some plaques on some buildings, sharing the history; when it was built, what the shop was and a little bit about the family that lived/worked there. I love this little touch, it provides a glimpse into the past and I stop to read a few. One used to be a motorbike shop, another was a bakery and there was even a boot shop. It’s an interesting read and even includes an old photo of the building so you can compare it to it’s current state.

After a few hours looking through the shops, I find my feet leading me straight into GelARTo. Once inside though, the smell of freshly baked waffles is too hard to resist. Fortunately their waffles are served with your choice of gelato so it’s a win win situation. It’s not really lunch food, but hey, I am on holiday. It has been a day filled with good food, lots of cups of tea, shops and great chats.

We visit the last few shops on the street (I think we must have gone into every single shop!) before making our way home. Dinner is at Little Square Pizza in Martinborough. The first time I had pizza from here, it was just a little ‘hole in the wall’ pizza joint. It has obviously proved very popular as they have now expanded to a small restaurant with inside seating and alfresco dining. We have our dinner outside, surrounded by apple trees, bunting and string lighting. Its a lovely relaxed atmosphere. My delicious pizza with my crisp, refreshing apple cider, is a perfect ending to a great day.