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Sunday 1 June 2014

The Persimmon Holiday

Hello lovely ones!
It's getting a bit chilly here now.
The leaves are nearly all down, the first frosts have abruptly decimated the Busy Lizzies and the persimmons have all been picked and mostly sold. 
Sold so well, in fact, that we managed to make enough from them to pay for two nights away in Taupo.
 We returned to the Cottage Mews.
 It's so nice there; homely & sweet, with lake views & plenty of room to cook & relax.
We read about an interesting cafe with a "mosaic living room" that's around in Acacia Bay called L'Arte Cafe & found that we just had time to get there for a cup of tea before they closed.
Quirky mosaic installations everywhere
 & really large sofas...
 that get a teeny bit cold & slippery in the cooler months.
 It was an engaging & energising place to visit & they served fabulous Earl Grey tea.
 We spent the afternoon in hot water.
 Back here at the divine Wairakei Terraces & Thermal Spa
We stayed until the sun went down.
The following day we walked in Taupo's Botanical Gardens.
Planted in 1963 & maintained entirely by volunteers.
Eek!! I wonder who bit that?

 Almost in camo today!
The Lake was still 
& the mornings tranquil.
The second day we drove most of the way to Rotorua to boiling waters!
 This area is fascinating with all of it's thermal prowess & passion.
 Fortunately it's a little cooler in the infinity pool.
The Salvation Army in Taupo have recently relocated & their new premises is enormous!
Directly over the road is Storehouse, a fabulous urban space where they sell retro stuff,
  flowers
  & great coffee.
 A serious rummage in The Salys turned up this brilliant wood basket.
And these dear little friendly creatures (amongst other things!)
I'm a little behind just at the moment but hope to catch up some more in the days to come.
I do hope your week is a friendly one.
Thanks so much for visiting.
Much love to you all.

17 comments:

  1. Lovely post Catherine.
    How great that your persimmons payed for a little holiday.
    wishing you a happy 1st week of june.

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    1. Hello Val, thank you so much for visiting my blog & your nice comments. I picked some roses today...they were growing up in the old flowering cherry tree. Isn't that wonderful in the middle of our winter! I loved all your lovely flowers..the oleander, snapdragons, roses & likes...ah the scent! Blessings to you through June & much love Catherine x0x0x

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  2. Hello sweet GK!
    I love your holiday! I really love your green outfit!
    Of course, I am fascinated by that bitten toadstool. Wow!
    Sending HUGE love your way, good girl.

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  3. Hello Catherine.

    Wow those mosaic's are so amazing, lots of colour in them. A real work of art. Glad you were able to have a few days away. It is hard to believe it is Winter.
    Enjoy your holiday on Monday.

    Happy days.
    Bev.

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    1. Hello Bev yes aren't they quite something, the mosaics. I wonder where all the china comes from? Perhaps they break a lot of plates in the cafe!? It is strange how the seasons sneak up on you isn't it. A frost here again this morning but then lots of lovely sunshine for gardening in. Hope you've had a good week. Much love Catherine x0x0x

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  4. Those boiling waters look amazing, I would love to visit and take a dip. Lovely picture of you wearing beautiful, calming greens. Betty

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    1. Hello Betty, actually we've been wondering that quite recently Rob & I...are there many hot springs in England...or near you? Funny the things that you don't know about. I love your plan of heading back to Cuba! We loved the Buena Vista Social Club...do you know their music? Yes, I do love that green. I made the pants from some curtain fabric..nice to wear. Much love Catherine x0x0x

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  5. What a blessing to be able to enjoy a little fun time from your persimmon tree!

    It looks like such a fun peaceful place to visit & even looks like some places I've been to here near my home.

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    1. Hello Betty, actually we've been wondering that quite recently Rob & I...are there many hot springs in England...or near you? Funny the things that you don't know about. I love your plan of heading back to Cuba! We loved the Buena Vista Social Club...do you know their music? Yes, I do love that green. I made the pants from some curtain fabric..nice to wear. Much love Catherine x0x0x

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  6. Great idea to sell your permissions, we give ours away, I could sell them & have nice holiday too! I would love to go to that cafe some day.

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    1. Hello Leeanne,
      Nice quilty person ; )
      Aha but are your persimmons the sweet ones?
      I don’t know how many stories I’ve heard tell about the awful old astringent jobs...yick, make your mouth pucker for sure if they not dead ripe!
      It really only worked out so well with our fruit because of our little stall being out most of the time anyway.
      And that we had a decent crop this year.
      Yes do keep in mind the café...& there’s a craft studio up the bank.
      It’s a little off the beaten track so you’re not just going to stumble upon it.
      Hope you’ve had a good week.
      Much love Catherine x0x0x

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  7. Oh where to start Catherine .... I am so glad you got a couple of nights away thanks to the persimmons !!!! Ours are almost finished, the birds are getting the high ones. That little place you stay at looks lovely - I am sure I have read about the mosaic place a few years ago at Acacia Bay ... I dont think it was a cafe then. I love your green outfit blending in with the countryside, you suit that colourway too. So glad you got up to Rotorua. I think your wood basket was a great find in the Salys shop ... Oh & the little deer & fawns. Happy week to you too my friend x0x0x (p.s just had to mention, Rob wears shorts all year round, just like Graham does. People notice it & comment often about him not feeling the cold ... which he doesnt)

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  8. I've just linked over to your blog from Julie - what a lovely blog you have - I will be back! Your persimmon sales were wonderful - I'd have brought some off you I just could eat them all day long...

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    1. Thanks so much for dropping in & for your lovely comments! I have popped in to see you..easiest thing was to join you on Facebook. I love all the quotes down your side bar...all my favs!! Sorry I can't share the persimmons...they've all gone. the last ones the birds just adored, especially the wax eyes.
      Hope you've had a good week,
      Much love Catherine x0x0x

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  9. Hello Katherine, found you via Julies gorgeous blog. I haven't been to Taupo for quite some years, looks like I need to visit it again and soon. Lovely photos and what a great few days away. Good score on the wood basket!

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    1. Hello Sue, lovely to see you here!
      Isn’t Julie just so clever...such a creative inspiration & lovely friend.
      Come to think of it I don’t recall Taupo being all that exciting in the past, but we did well this time round.
      Phew...before it got freezing too!
      Yes...the wood basket is in full service now & was a great find.
      Hope you’ve had good week.
      Much love Catherine x0x0x

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    2. Those leaves are something else. Got to love autumn xx

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So lovely of you to leave a comment. Thank you!! So sorry if you've tried to leave one & it hasn't worked. You are welcome to email me at catherine@sunshinevintage.nz instead, if you'd like to, much love Catherine♥

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