Recently Mrs. in Frame and I reached our 20th wedding anniversary.
After staying there earlier this year, we decided to have another weekend “Staycation” at the Enchanted Retreat in Havelock North to celebrate.
We here in Hawke’s Bay are SUPPOSED to be very parochial – Hastings vs Napier and never the twain shall meet, etc.
The truth is in recent years rather than being disparate regional towns, Napier and Hastings and Havelock North (calling “Havvers” a “Suburb of Hastings”, while technically correct might get you run out of town) have all essentially socially merged to be one big urban base. It doesn’t take more than half an hour to get from one side to the other – no different (possibly quicker?) than going from Mount Eden or Newmarket to Ponsonby in Auckland and with different facilities in each city commuting between the metropoli has become as common as going from Taradale to Tamatea.
The distance and differences, while smaller than before, are still interesting, giving us unique experiences without having to go too far afield.
We arrived at our glamping retreat on a chilly Friday evening and with gas fire and air conditioning going dozed off looking at the lights of Hastings and Peka Peka in the distance.
The next morning, we received two platters which are among the options the retreat provides – First, breakfast!
Bagels, fruit, muesli, bread, pancakes and smoked salmon for a healthy and fortifying start to the day.
Not long after, our picnic lunch arrived – Containing rolls, slices, cheeses, salad and pate!
I ducked into Havelock North village’s shops to get some of our daughter’s favorite sushi from Sushi Ten (a regular destination when it was previously in Taradale), and naturally had to stop in at Wardini Books.
On Saturday afternoon, after our platter lunch and a ruminating soak in the hot tub, we went for a lovely walk through the Karituwhenua Stream walkway / Kingsgate Reserve.
Stepping off main arterial route that is Te Mata Road it doesn’t take long to not feel like you’re still in suburbia, with lots of flora and native birds like Tūī and Pīwakawaka swooping and singing in the trees, all the while with the gentle sound of the Karituwhenua Stream running through the middle.
Walking up one side of the stream to the top of the track and back on the other side took a leisurely 45 minutes to an hour, after which we went for a quick peek at the “Wooly Coos” – highland cattle that live in front of Te Mata Estate Winery.
We headed back into the village for a quick, early dinner at Mary’s.
We started with a Mojito and non-alcohol “NOjito” mocktail while our meals were being prepared. One thing I have done on these staycations is try things I have never or wouldn’t usually have.
For mains I had Beef Short Rib Croquettes with Harissa Mayo and Roasted Vegetable Salad, Whipped Feta & Pomegranate Molasses Dressing, while Mrs. in Frame had Pan Seared Fish Fillets, Pickled Vegetable Escabeche and Saffron Mayonnaise.
Everything was delicious!
Our last morning in Havelock North dawned with a stunning foggy outlook across the Heretaunga Plains.
Looking towards Peka Peka reminded me of looking across Hawke Bay from Hardinge Road in Ahuriri, Napier, to West Shore, with a foggy sea reaching out to the ranges.
From our accommodation in the Te Mata foothills we caught the briefest of glimpses of foggy coverage all the way out to actual Hawke Bay as we headed into town for a breakfast coffee at Workroom and pastries from Wright & Co.
We thoroughly enjoyed our second local staycation this year and would absolutely recommend visiting our Hawke’s Bay neighbor, Havelock North, and staying at the spectacular Enchanted Retreat whether you’re a local looking for a short break or visiting our awesome region!
