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Club Christmas Party - 14 December
Selwyn Library, Parnell
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Fun, food and fellowship in Martinborough
17 wives and partners from the Remuera Rotary Club flew down to Wellington where they picked up two mini vans. Murray and Cindy safely navigated the steep and winding road over the Rimutaka’s depositing everyone at C’est Cheese in Featherstone. They rendezvoused with the Valentines who had chosen to drive down the island. Bundles of cheese, crackers and South Wairarapa produce were sampled and subsequently purchased.
The next stop was our destination of Martinborough and judging by the oohhs and arrhhhs from the group whilst driving around the historic ‘one-way square’, the members were pleased with the destination and eager to get out and explore.
The Martinborough hotel right on the Square was to be our home for the next three nights. The history, décor and the wrap-a-round veranda made a for very pleasant place to lay our heads.
That night we were treated to a unique wine tasting experience in the ‘Wine Bank’ housed in the old BNZ building. With a simple push of a button you dispense the wine yourself. The perfect opportunity to not only discover the diverse range of wines produced in and around Martinborough but also to relax, unwind, chat and re-new friendships.
Dinner was at the Union Square Bistro in the Martinborough hotel. We were catered for in the Napoleon room with a delicious meal and wine to match.
Friday saw half the group head out on the Cape Pallier Coastal Tour with the most knowledgeable guide in the South Wairarapa and Murray in the driver’s seat. They went to Boggy Ponds, climbed the steps at the lighthouse at Cape Palliser and walked The Paths of the Dead (from LOTR) in The Pinnacles. The group was late coming back because Murray got the van stuck in a mud hole. Thank goodness for Joe, the guide who used his vast experience to get the van out of the hole and on the road again.
The other half of the group started the day with a guided walking history tour led by Cindy’s cousin Marie, a Martinborough local who has lived all her life in the wee town. The rest of the day was spent visiting the wineries on various forms of transport. Some riding e-bikes for the first time and some of the ladies rode in a rickshaw with a driver. Palliser Estate and lunch at Poppies were declared the favorites.
On Saturday Murray and Cindy drove the vans up to Greytown where contributions were made to the local retail fashion and furniture industry. The male contingent made their way to the museum and Chocolate factory and the famous French Bakery.
A drive through the lush South Wairarapa countryside to Gladstone meant Hugh and Pam Garlick were able to re-visit the Gladstone Church where they attended the wedding of a Rotary Exchange student they hosted. Lunch was at the 140-year-old Gladstone Hotel looking out over the banks of the Ruamahanga River.
The return to Martinborough via Carterton and a sighting of the Marquis of Normandy hotel brought back some very nostalgic memories for John and Carol Cowan who remembered spending a weekend there not long after they were married.
Saturday night saw the group gather together for a very special wine dinner hosted by Tim and Margaret Coney at their vineyard just outside Martinborough. Tim Coney led us through a very entertaining presentation and tasing of Coney Wines.
Margaret Coney had prepared a scrumptious dinner with delectable flavours.
The food pairings with the Coney Resiling’s proved very popular judging by the number cases loaded into the shuttle van after dinner
“All the preparation, organization and attention to details made this trip a special time for everyone” said Catherine Holden IPP. Everyone is taking home lovely memories of fellowship in Martinborough.
Look out for details of the next Club Trip.
Let’s cruise New Zealand in our own bubble!
Ponant has a 10 day private charter cruise from Dunedin to Auckland departing on 30th January 2021. They are bringing down ‘Le La Perouse’, the ship with the Blue Eye Lounge.
2020 has been a tough year with so many of us suffering lockdown restrictions. If you have not been able to cruise this year think about this luxury yacht cruise around New Zealand that combines the highest standard of understated French and Scandinavian influenced décor and service. I was on board this yacht earlier this year and can highly recommend it.
I am able to book cabins directly and as at midday Tuesday there were several ‘Prestige’ staterooms still available on Decks 4, 5 and 6.
Call Cindy on 0210247005 or email me at cindy@privatetravel.co.nz
If the Ponant is not able to fulfil the charter due to government Covid-19 restrictions a full refund less a small admin fee of $150.00 per person will apply.
T & C’s apply.
Please click on the flyer below for more information.
Kind Regards
Cindy
‘Without a travel broker you’re on your own’
Cindy Bakewell
TAANZ Bonded Travel Advisor
Cindy Bakewell - an independent affiliate of The Private Travel Company – a Virtuoso Member
M. + 64 21 0247 0005 Freecall 0800 142 4639
44b Orakei Road, Remuera, Auckland 1050, New Zealand
