It was perfect weather, sunshine with a warm breeze for the most of the walk, and only raining slightly as we dropped down to The Portage Resort Hotel, where we dined at the Retro Bar, indulged in the spa and spent a very pleasant comfortable night in the Kowhai Rooms. Many thanks once again, Alison & staff at The Portage Resort Hotel. We had our rucksack ferried to Portage by Cougar Line to save our backs, and enjoyed their boat ride home  to Picton in the morning, ready for work, refreshed.

Check out other Queen Charlotte Track options with Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company, their office is just down by the foreshore.  Enjoy!

Tika

Just a quick one today to prompt you to check out our newly launched site for The Portage Resort Hotel, a great venue for your wedding or conference, and a wonderful place to stay either whilst experiencing the Queen Charlotte Track or just to relax whilst on holiday.

The Portage also has three different dining venues, the Te Weka Restaurant, the more casual Snapper Bar and Cafe and The Retro Bar, making it an ideal destination for a romantic evening or weekend break.

The Marlborough Sounds area offers so many activity options, kayaking, mountain biking and walking. Check out Discover Portage and The Portage Adventure Centre for a host of options.

As you probably already know if you read my posts regularly I love art, so I’ll also mention that The Portage Resort  displays the work of senior New Zealand fine artists, offering workshops in painting, printmaking and writing, and offering its exhibiting artists a restorative retreat from the world. The Portage Hotel  lounge library has some wonderful New Zealand art books to peruse either sitting with a glass of wine on the deck in the summer, or snuggling by the fire in the winter.

If you are persuaded do book your Marlborough Sounds Accommodation at The Portage Hotel now.

As for me, I’d best go and feed my hens…..before I get stuck in to some work,

Enjoy your day,

Tika

Just a quick post to let you know we’ve just launched a new website for Pelorus Sound Water taxis. Chris and Philippa Harvey also run Channel Lights House, Havelock accommodation and have a  remote bach in the Pelorus Sound at Crail Bay, which is available as holiday accommodation.

Pelorus Sound Water taxis offer water transport around the Pelorus and Kenepuru Sound.

Work transport, Chris will : take you and bring you back, or collect you later depending upon the length of time your work takes;

Take you out sightseeing;

Taxi you out into the Sounds for a bush walk and wait/collect you later, so whatever your water transport needs, give Chris Harvey a call on 027 444 2852 and book your water taxi now.

Channel Lights House has 2 modern, stylish apartment-style rooms with stunning views over Havelock Marina, is immediate to town and is an ideal base from which to explore the Marlborough vineyards, the Marlborough Sounds, and of course the Havelock Mussel Festival. Book your accommodation now for 2010 Havelock Mussel Festival, which will take place on Saturday 20th March.

If you prefer more peace and quiet, gentle relaxation or perhaps more water sports, kayaking and bush walking, book your Marlborough Sounds bach accommodation now at Crail Bay Bach, Chris will happily offer you water transport.

Crail Bay Bach sleeps 6 comfortably, so is a great option for summer holiday accommodation.

Okay, I’d best get back to work… enjoy this beautiful spring sunshine and check out Havelock.

Tika

Imagine a hot spa, beautiful soft white towels, a wonderful companion and time to dwell.
Are you captivated by the notion? Yes, it is attainable.
Access to the Portage Resort Hotel is easy – its only 10 minutes from Picton by boat and Blenheim airport has multiple flights from major cities every day, so look no further for your next holiday break.

Overlooking the beautiful Kenepuru Sound  surrounded by bush clad mountains,  the hotel offers a selection of accommodation from quality suites, rooms with large decks and beautiful views to family rooms and walker’s budget accommodation.

Mouli and I were fortunate to spend Saturday there, staying in a Kowhai Lodge room with a private deck, relishing the stillness and time to unwind. Cloistered in your own retreat from the world you can choose to wander along the beach, meander along the wharf, relax watching the sun burnishing the cloudscapes, observe the falcons gliding over the water, catch up on your latest copy of Urbis and current affairs, or simply snooze.

Located on the acclaimed Queen Charlotte Track, Portage offers a myriad of options for the more energetic, kayaking, mountain biking and of course walking.
Next time we will be more active, it’s a promise…I’ll update you in another post come Summer.

I enjoyed the New Zealand fine art displayed throughout..a Richard Adam’s painting at the reception deck,
JS Parker’s oil painting Two Part Harmony( Study for Day/Night Air) , the warm ambiance, the music and the evening firelight. Success is written in the attention to detail, excellent service, friendly accessible staff and impeccable cleanliness.

Quality dining is available either at the Te Weka Restaurant, or the more casual Snapper Cafe, both opening onto large decks facing the magical view.   (Thank you too to the chef for the vegetarian option offered, it was delicious).

The star filled sky, free from the light pollution of a town is a wonder to beyond and the peace of the morning soaks into you leaving you at ease and rested…. so book your time away at Portage now.

For now,

Tika