New Zealand hospitality – it’s all in the welcome!

I’ve had an ugly week of ‘witch’ hair and unflattering conversations with the bathroom mirror. I miss being surrounded by my own pretty things and the comfort of my super-king bed. I’m also tired of living in an apartment complex with the constant sound of doors slamming, heated conversations and unfriendly faces (and that’s just from inside our apartment). Today we moved on to this….

New Zealand hospitality – it’s all in the welcome!

….9.2 hectares of vineyard as far as the eye can see…

New Zealand hospitality – it’s all in the welcome!

…and it’s time for me to crank up the laughing gear…

New Zealand hospitality – it’s all in the welcome!

…because right in front of those vineyards is Barnicoat Vineyard Cottage, a ‘couples’ retreat away from the crowds. It’s located in Hope, a rural area near Richmond in the Tasman district of the South Island. But it’s still only 4-5 kilometres from the Richmond shopping centre.

New Zealand hospitality – it’s all in the welcome!

I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to get such a warm welcome from Marilyn and Stu Robinson, the owners who live next door to the cottage. Although strangers when we first meet, Marilyn envelopes me in a big hug and boy I need it. Michael’s the only person I’ve spoken to all week and it’s so nice to be able to chat with another female. I can’t wait to look through this cottage, so let’s go in…

New Zealand hospitality – it’s all in the welcome!

These amateur photos don’t do justice to the comfort level that Marilyn has achieved in this pristinely presented cottage. The jacquard duvet cover is dazzlingly white, as are the matching pillowslips and those marks you see on the coverlet, are actually a scattering of Cadbury’s Roses chocolates. On our travels, we occasionally stay in accommodations where every expense has been spared, but not this one. There’s a modern expresso coffee machine, fresh eggs produced from the Barnicoat free-range hens, condiments and a complimentary bottle of chilled Sauvignon blanc.

New Zealand hospitality – it’s all in the welcome!

As our first day slides into evening, we sit outside, watching the Barnicoat geese stroll by. These guys get a sweet life…

New Zealand hospitality – it’s all in the welcome!

In the early evening the sound of bellbirds dominates and hey, when night falls, you really do get to see shooting stars! It starts with the welcome and it doesn’t get much better than this one.

Happy travelling.

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