The Apple Pickers' Cottages

25/08/2025

A crisp and clear frosty morning, early tide, winter light and mountain views. Every window in Karaka Cottage has a different angle on this wintry scene.

18/06/2025

Mānawatia a Matariki!
For those of you reading this who aren’t from Aotearoa, Matariki celebrates the beginning of the new year in the Māori lunar calendar, Maramataka. It is the time of the first rising above the horizon of the Matariki star cluster (the Pleiades) and the star Puanga (Rigel).
Matariki marks the end of the harvest season. It’s a time for celebrating the abundance of the past year’s harvest, gathering with whānau (family) and friends to share kai (food), and preparing for the planting season ahead.
Matariki is also a time to reflect, to remember those who have passed, to cherish whānau, and care for the environment. It connects us to the land, the sky, and each other with traditions and celebrations that are deeply rooted in Māori culture.

From the top of the hill here (a short walk from the cottages) there is a a great view of the Matariki stars and Puanga above the horizon. You just need to get up before 6.30 am! But the added bonus is that you get to see the early morning tide as dawn breaks.
The weather forecast is for clear skies Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings. If you live nearby and feel like a last minute break and a bit of star gazing, we have a Matariki weekend special on our website. Or DM me.

28/05/2025

Yesterday I went for a walk through our little coastal forest just after the rain, and couldn’t believe how beautiful and green all the new growth is. It’s been a warm and rainy autumn, perfect weather for the seedlings, mosses, ferns and fungi that are emerging in the forest. We started the restoration project 9 years ago, removing all the exotic (non native) trees. Birds are doing a wonderful job spreading seed. It’s truly amazing how quickly nature can recover.

13/01/2025

There are very many good things to do around here, but one of the very best has to be (in our opinion) a visit to Neudorf’s Cellar door. (.)
Yesterday we had a lovely glass (actually 2) of Albariño and one of their excellent picnic baskets . Add sunshine and an unforgettable view….hard to beat on a lazy Sunday afternoon. What a treat.

13/12/2024

We got this lovely Google view this morning from a recent guest. Too good not to share!

10/11/2024

Broad bean factory.
Thank you Lena and Juli from Dresden! (Our current wonderful Wwoofers)

07/10/2024

Yesterday was a momentous day in the vegetable garden… after many years of thinking about it we have at last got around to planting an asparagus bed. We’ve spent months filling it with compost, seaweed, manure, sand, and dead rabbits. Now for the patience to wait 2-3 years before we can harvest!

16/07/2024

Tauhou/silvereye/wax-eye

03/07/2024

03/06/2024

The meaning of crestfallen.

07/05/2024

Poaka (pied stilt), Waimea Inlet.

24/04/2024

Quince jelly