Whatsnew

March 2010: Roslyn and Michael (the owners) have just
spent a month at Blue Rock Road Retreat. We were
amazed at how much the flaxes and grasses had grown in
since we were here five months ago. And now that sheep
and cows no longer roam the property, young native
seedlings of kanuka, kowhai and totara trees are sprouting
everywhere.

The weeds were likewise vigorous and we spent many
days attacking and uprooting the dreaded achillea (whose
roots engulf and try to "strangle" the natives that we've
planted), milk thistles, dandelions and plenty of other
weeds. The (relatively) wet and humid summer in the
Wairarapa this year has kept the surrounding pastures
fairly green, and encouraged plant growth, good and bad,
everywhere.

We also washed all 122 window panes (yes,
we counted them all) and attacked the
outside spider webs. The best part of a day
of weeding was relaxing in the tub afterward.
That's Roslyn enjoying a g&t at the end of a
long hot day of weeding, or "bush
restoration," as we like to call it. You can
enjoy the outdoor tub as well. Weeding
optional.

It was great fun to read the guest book and
all the wonderful comments. And yes, there
were a few suggestions and requests. Our
guests have spoken, and we have listened!
We now have a full-length mirror in the
master bedroom, board games (Scrabble,
NZ Monopoly, cards) for those rainy days, a
few more microwave dishes, and a handy
step-stool for accessing the day bed.
There seems to be an ongoing debate
about whether the master bedroom should
be fully curtained (it has curtains on one
wall). We love the light and openness of the
room without curtains, but realize that some
people may not appreciate the full morning
light, especially when trying to sleep in on a
summer morning after a late night spent
tasting the local wines. Therefore we are
ordering curtains for the remaining wall,
which should be delivered sometime in May.

The one enhancement everyone will
appreciate is the new outdoor table that was
designed by Michael. It's a solid slab of
redwood custom-manufactured by our friend
Andrew Havard at Big Mac Slabs
Furniture. It has wheels on one end so it
can be moved, but won't go anywhere in the
gale-force nor'westerlies.

And finally, be sure to check out the
award-winning blog Moon over
Martinborough by our friend Jared. We
enjoyed a farm-fresh lunch at Jared and
Rick's nearby house and property and
toasted the good life in the Wairarapa.

JUNE 2010: Another quick trip to Blue Rock,
where we missed much of the recent "monsoon"
that has greened-up the Wairarapa so nicely, if
soggily, and filled the two water tanks to
overflowing. The garden continues to flourish.
We noticed one flax that has a cabbage tree
coming out the middle of it (look for it to the left of
the en suite window that faces the stream).
We've decided to leave it and watch what
happens.

All three bedrooms are fully curtained now, and
the middle bedroom now has two bedside tables
and reading lamps beside the queen or two
single beds (depending on how you've requested
they be configured). And we added more books
and DVDs for your reading and viewing pleasure.