One of the world’s more picturesque eateries

jctreanor — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 19:56:00 +0000

Lauded by the upmarket food and travel magazines Craggy Range has been our regular Easter treat since arriving in New Zealand. So last week it wasn’t cheese batches for lunch but rather a long leisurely stroll through the Craggy Range menu.

Somehow the food tastes better when you have a fantastic view to admire at the same time and the sun is shining. Luckily for us we got both and had some nice things to eat too.

The winery is located looking at the Te Mata Peak. A stunning mountain surrounded in Maori Folklore. The story goes….

Centuries ago the people living in pa (fortified villages) on the Heretaunga Plains were under constant threat of war from the coastal tribes of Waimarama.

At a gathering in Pakipaki (5km south of Hastings) to discuss the problem, the solution came when a wise old woman (kuia) sought permission to speak in the marae. “He ai na te wahine, ka horahia te po, ” she said. (The ways of a woman can sometimes overcome the effects of darkness).
Hinerakau, the beautiful daughter of a Pakipaki chief, was to be the focal point of a plan. She would get the leader of the Waimarama tribes, a giant named Te Mata, to fall in love with her, turning his thoughts from war into peace. The plan succeeded, but she too fell in love.

The people of Heretaunga, however, had not forgotten the past and with revenge the motive, demanded that Hinerakau make Te Mata prove his devotion by accomplishing seemingly impossible tasks.
The last was to bite his way through the hills between the coast and the plains so that people could come and go with greater ease.

Te Mata died proving his love and today his half-accomplished work can be seen in the hills in what is known as The Gap or Pari Karangaranga (echoing cliffs).

His body forms Te Mata Peak, the legend says. At sunset one can often see, in the mists which stretch from the crown of Kahuraanake, the beautiful blue cloak with which the grieving Hinerakau covered the body of her husband before leaping to her own death from the precipice on the Waimarama side of the peak. The gully at the base of the cliff was formed when her body struck the earth.

Pity my photography skills just can’t do it justice!

So here’s some professional ones….

Views from Te Mata to Hawkes Bay Coast

jctreanor — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 16:51:00 +0000

Hello bloggers, back again. Hot foot from Golden Bay.

Without wanting to sound smug to all those suffering in the northern hemisphere winter, life in Golden Bay couldn’t have been more golden. We had stunning weather with balmy evenings which made for a fantastic break away.

As well as the good weather the location was pretty good too! It was a bit of a hike to get there: 3 hour ferry ride, and three more hours driving including the Takaka Hill which made the Rimutaka Hill look like a small bump in the road. Nevertheless it was worth the effort to see empty golden beaches and the stunning Abel Tasman national park.

Where we stayed in Ligar Bay there was nothing but kiwi baches and beach houses so the typical kiwi seaside hideaway. The Abel Tasman National Park was only a short drive away (up an unsealed road) so we headed off there for walking and a scenic boat ride along the Tasman Park coastline.

This whole area is designed for outdoor living – camping, tramping and kyaking are the order of the day. If you’re into that sort of thing you can see why people return year after year. I’m not sure that the bassets will appreciate the long car journey so maybe next time we return we’ll take the flight from Wellington to Golden Bay (if only we could guarantee good smooth flying weather).

Lots of photoblogging to share but no time for that it’s back to routine but watch this space over the next few days.

Domestic Executive » Holidays

One of the world’s more picturesque eateries