Antarctic Puppy

A unique experience of commitment to love.

The Trail of Love…………

 

15 February 2010

Hello Bridget,

I must say that your gardens look beautiful, congratulations!

I would like to give my girlfriend a unique gift for her birthday. She and I both work for the United States Antarctic Program; we’ve been working at McMurdo Station and the South Pole since October. Yesterday she redeployed back to New Zealand but based on my work I will have to stay on the ice until March 5, missing her Feb 17 birthday. She is flying to Wanaka tomorrow morning and in my absence I would love to give her two of the things she’s missed most during these barren last 5 months- plants and the chance to play with puppies.

Would it be possible for her to come by in the next few days to visit with your beautiful labs surrounded by your gorgeous gardens? She’s a delightful and social young lady who I’m sure you’ll enjoy immensely.

Thank you kindly!

Isaac Bean

 

17 February 2010

My darling Isaac,

When I called Bridget earlier today, not knowing what to expect, I was shocked to hear that my gift from you was to spend time with her and her puppies in her beautiful 2 acre garden today. Bridget is so welcoming and sweet and her pups are even sweeter.  She offered to take some photos so that you can see how much I enjoyed it–which I don’t even think they do justice to my now set-in euphoria after frolicking with 4 labrador pups for the last 3 hours… I am covered in puppy scratches and puppy bites, and smell of a mixture of sweet puppy smell and puppy chow…and entirely happy!

Just the fact that you even thought of organizing such a thing for me, let alone doing it, shows what an incredible and caring person that you are, and I am so lucky that you have found yourself in the position to want to shower that greatness onto me.  You are entirely too thoughtful that I can barely believe it sometimes. As I type this, I am experiencing beautiful cascading waves of emotion running through my body at the thought of how much you care for me and I for you, that I almost feel like succumbing to the happy tears welling in the back of my throat.  Even from a continent away you have managed to make my birthday special. I experienced the greatest gift today….love. And for that I can only begin to thank you….

I miss you and I love you,

Meg

xxxxxREALpuppykissesxxxxxx

 

18 February 2010

Dear Bridget
The puppies and garden were a huge hit with Megan! Your kindness has allowed me to send love across continents and for that I can’t thank you enough. Getting to see Meg playing with the pups on the grass in front of the house has brought me some much appreciated warmth just when it’s getting cold here.

Thank you so much! I can’t wait to meet you down the road!

Isaac

 

22 February 2010

Hello Isaac and Megan 

You both touched my heart last week being part of the wonderful closeness the two of you have – there should be more of it….

I too look forward to meeting you whilst in New Zealand 

Warmest regards

Bridget Jones

Hawkshead Lodge and Gardens 

Lake Wanaka , New Zealand

Elope to Seclusion

     

A Romantic Elopement………

• Intimate garden setting for your Ceremony
• Bouquet of fresh seasonal flora from the gardens of Hawkshead
• Bottle of premium NZ champagne served with canapés
• Luxury suite accommodation on your wedding night
• Deluxe breakfast tray served next morning

        $525  all inclusive

 

      Small and Intimate to Long Remember…………

• Premium NZ Champagne and fruit platter in your luxury suite on arrival
• Rustic and yet refined, secluded garden setting for your Ceremony
• Celebratory glass of champagne with canapé selection
• Wedding night in your lake and mountain view suite
• Deluxe breakfast tray served next morning

       $725  for party of 10

      Hawkshead Lodge and Gardens, Lake Wanaka, New Zealand

A Special Garden For All Seasons

Hawkshead Lodge and Gardens

Lake Wanaka,  South Island, New Zealand

 A Unique Venue for your Wedding Ceremony

When this beautiful property seven years ago was found, there was just one acre of land with the house and a swimming pool.  It became my home,  “Hawkshead”, after my favourite village in the Lake District of England.

Four years ago,  an additional acre of land was purchased in front of the house looking out towards the lake and another year of much thought and planning went by before I dug my first hole to start the landscaping!   Over three years, I have planted and terraced this naturally contoured area, creating a unique garden venue for both the people of Wanaka and visitors alike who wish to surround themselves with nature and a 360 degree view of mountain tops.

The only missing element from my Hawkshead website is the “feel factor” of the gardens.  Some 50 years have passed since my grandfather owned a nursery in Christchurch, but I feel that somehow his heritage has passed down to me, as after 45 years of being a city girl ~ without even a window box to potter in! ~ I have, from a blank canvas, nurtured this garden with a total passion to what it is today ~ a garden for many varying occasions ~ from the grassed area for a large gathering to private, intimate corners.

The Front Lawn ~ overlooks the sunken garden below, all one acre of it ~ a fabulous area for a ceremony with the lake as either a backdrop or in the forefront ~ the choice is yours ~ with refreshments served from a rustic cartwheel table on the terrace of The Lodge

The Top Garden ~ for a small, intimate gathering with a simple, evergreen backdrop and a view to Avalanche Glacier ~ or what we call “The Brew House”!

The Swimming Pool ~ a sheltered and private oasis at any time of the year.  A large pool with entertaining area featuring a combination of native flora and lavenders ~ a poolside wedding with the romantic touch of candelabra and rose petals……

The Sunken Garden ~ so many options here and although no view of the lake, a feeling of serene calm most certainly compensates ~ a very large area for guests to wander and children to roam before your Reception

The Arboretum ~ complete with a lovely old historic dray in the background and a wonderful vista looking back up to The Lodge

The Hardwood Steps ~ cascading down from The Lodge to the garden and a beautiful location for your ceremony to be held surrounded by your guests sitting casually around you on the steps or standing on the lawn.  The steps also offer a superb area for your music options, be it a solo guitarist or a string quartet

The Alcove ~ features a seating area with a large table of local schist stone ~ a natural “altar” surrounded by an array of white flowers

It is so easy to use the gardens to their full advantage – select an area for your ceremony, then perhaps move on to the front lawn or poolside for champagne and canapés 

And with so many different locations for your photography, it will be difficult to believe they were all taken at Hawkshead – truly a photographer’s paradise!

However, the lake is a car ride away……….

The bride can approach her groom by foot through the garden or simply drive down The Avenue into the heart of the open garden. There are numerous bench seats in keeping with the property available for those who need to be seated and I do not have a problem with confetti.

Hawkshead does not have a liquor license and I therefore encourage outside caterers to deliver and serve or the BYO option is most welcome.

The summer months portray a beautiful combination from white iris to purple english lavender and during mid to late April, the autumn colours of the English oaks are full of very rich tones, however depending on the season, the leaves may or may not still be on the trees.

In the event of wet weather conditions, a backup and plan B for your ceremony location would be wise, however for intermittent rain, umbrellas are supplied. 

A room in The Lodge would be open to the bridal party on arrival for any last minute touches!

Hawkshead Lodge & Gardens for your wedding ceremony? 

Wedding Grounds for up to 2 hours  ~ Total  $450

Food & Beverage is optional and at own expense as is your choice of music and photography.

It is my pleasure to share with you what Hawkshead can offer for the most special day of your lives.

With my best wishes

Bridget Jones

stay@hawkshead.co.nz

Hawkshead Purebred Labradors

‘Puppies for Life’

Bridget has been raising Purebred Labrador Retrievers  for 3 years at Hawkshead Lodge and Gardens,Wanaka.

Sasha a black bitch,  dominantly black with a chocolate and yellow line also. 

Hawkshead is breeding twice a year with both black bitches, Sasha and Rea.

Rea is also dominant black with yellow and chocolate lines – she will be whelping puppies in the early spring of 2010

Results Recent Litter  - Whelped 16 December 2009

3 black bitches / 3 black male  

3 Dog Sold   

3 Bitch Sold    

2 chocolate bitches / 1 chocolate male

2 Bitch Sold

1 Dog Sold

 

Breeding Lines – Follytower, Lymington, Flagstaff , Amvikal, Kahilani, Sarasota

Member NZ Kennel Association

Member Canterbury Labrador Club

Registered Purebred & Pedigree with papers

Bitch / Sire  –  Hip / Elbow Certificate

Bitch / Sire  –  Eye Certificate

Wormed fortnightly

Vaccinated at 6 weeks

Reputation Aspiring Vets Wanaka

Detail & Viewing – Bridget Jones

Wanaka , New Zealand P +64 3 4436183 / M +64 21921561

bridget.jones@xtra.co.nz

A Date At The Hills’ Not To Be Missed

The 92nd Michael Hill New Zealand Open

Will be staged on 28-31 January 2010 at  The Hills’ Golf Course just on the outskirts of Arrowtown.

January 2010 sees the Hills welcoming back New Zealander’s premier golf tournament. From 28 – 31 January 2010, the Michael Hill New Zealand Open will attract a world class field with a prize purse of $US600,000.

With 2 world class events under thier belts they know they can take the magnificence of the Queenstown region and indeed New Zealand, to the world in a way that a few other events can…

Nestled beneath the majestic Southern Alps, The Hills’ golf course affords one of the country’s best locations of spectacular viewing. It was the tournament’s namesake Michael Hill who first saw the potential for a world class spectacular event in the magic spot beneath The Remarkables.

All those involved with the 92nd NZ Golf Open and the local community get a thrill out of sharing the stunning surrounds with golfers and non golfers the world over every year. The Hills turns the NZ Open into something much more than just a golf tournament. Main Street will again be a focal point of the tournament providing unique shopping, dining and entertainment experiences for all age groups in attendance.

Meanwhile the award winning Clubhouse at The Hills will host a number of events, giving New Zealanders and international golfers a taste of all that The Hills has to offer its members. A private corse, The Hills’ park like environment has been designed to meld seamlessly into the natural surrounds in keeping with the Central Otago landscape.

Go to – thehills.co.nz – to see for yourself

Elope to Seclusion

     

A Romantic Elopement………

• Intimate garden setting for your Ceremony
• Bouquet of fresh seasonal flora from the gardens of Hawkshead
• Bottle of premium NZ champagne served with canapés
• Luxury suite accommodation on your wedding night
• Deluxe breakfast tray served next morning

        $525  all inclusive

 

      Small and Intimate to Long Remember…………

• Premium NZ Champagne and fruit platter in your luxury suite on arrival
• Rustic and yet refined, secluded garden setting for your Ceremony
• Celebratory glass of champagne with canapé selection
• Wedding night in your lake and mountain view suite
• Deluxe breakfast tray served next morning

       $725  for party of 10

      Hawkshead Lodge and Gardens, Lake Wanaka, New Zealand

Dreams Do Come True…

DREAM WEDDING DESTINATION

Lake Wanaka, in the South Island of New Zealand, is the tenth most romantic destination in the world.

Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, so be sure to make it your own. If you have always dreamed of being barefoot on the beach – do it!…..or if you’d rather exchange your vows on top of snow-capped mountains – why not? It can be a simple ceremony or an extravagant affair, as long as it’s the right option for you and your partner – remember, it’s all about you!

Every bride wants to look totally beautiful on her wedding day, and it’s hard enough shopping for that perfect pair of jeans, let alone your perfect wedding gown!  So have patience….consider your options…. perhaps you could have your gown custom-made….more importantly, give yourself plenty of time and don’t settle for a gown that you’re not 100% happy with.

 

The Ball Gown

Typically a fitted bodice with a waistline, perfect for pear shapes, full and thin figure.

The Empire Gown

High waistline sitting under the bust falling to generally a slimmer skirt

The A-Line or Princess Gown

A classic and flattering design for most body shapes with vertical seams from the shoulders to a flared skirt

The Sheath Gown

This style follows the silhouette of the body and is most suited to those who want to flatter their figure

Photographs are considered by most of us to be our most treasured possession, so the importance of your wedding photographs goes without saying.

Your photographer will want to find out more about you and your partner so your personalities can be expressed through the photographs. It’s important you have a good relationship with your photographer, so you can work together to create the perfect snap shot of your wedding day.

Before you start the search for the perfect photographer, consider the styles of photography on offer -

 Traditional – classic and timeless, planned and posed

Illustrative – creative and artistic, light composition, relaxed and unscripted

Photojournalism – the very popular candid shots covering events of the entire day

One tip – avoid having your photographs shot in black and white. It’s easy to change a colour photo to black and white, but it’s not so simple the other way round.

When choosing your bouquets, corsages and table arrangements, flowers bring style, colour and fragrance to your wedding. There is no denying the beauty and scent of a fresh bouquet. Your flowers should compliment your gown and it’s best to choose those in season. Talk to few different florists about the look and style you have in mind and ask to see examples of their work.

Whatever the style or size of your wedding, you’re sure to find a nearby venue to cater for your needs. From a traditional church ceremony in a chapel by the lake to a relaxed garden wedding set amongst the grapevines or a year round evergreen native garden, this region has it all.

Finally, not all of us can afford to jet off to Paris or cruise the Greek Islands on our honeymoon.  But with so many amazing destinations in our own backyard, there’s really no need to leave New Zealand.  Whatever you do, just enjoy sharing every minute of your new life together……

Have a Wedding Day filled with treasured memories.

Bridget Jones

http://www.hawkshead.co.nz/

Flavours of Central Otago

MT DIFFICULTY WINES

Wine buffs can now experience the Mt Difficulty Tasting Room – their Cellar Door and Cafe commanding grandiose views of the stunning Central Otago landscape.

Just two of the Mt Difficulty range are the Riesling to match New Zealand freshwater prawns with West Coast whitebait and the Pinot Noir to match local wild venison seared with New Zealand black truffles.

A wine is only as good as the people behind it and in this regard, Mt Difficulty stands out from the crowd. They have a strong point of difference but never boast or brag about their accolades.

Like other wineries in historic Bannockburn, Mt Diffficulty is blessed with a distinctive micro-climate and mixed soils of stone, gravels and clay which results in a perfect foundation to grow the worlds best Pinot Noir as well as exciting Chardonnay, fine Pinot Gris and mineral Riesling.

The 2008 Pinot Gris is vibrant and bouncy with aromas of white stone fruit and fresh pair and the palate lingers onto a crisp dry finish. Very well structured, balanced and drinking magnificently, the wine is superb on its own but would be an excellent food wine.

The Roaring Meg 2008 Pinot Noir is the sister wine to Mt Difficulty with a faultless balance of floral and rich in berry fruit and spiciness.

The 2008 Mt Difficulty Pinot Noir steps up a notch from the Roaring Meg. This wine is rich, concentrated with full ripe plum and cherry. There is a lot that goes on in the mouth which continues streaming a long spicy, slightly herbaceous finish, celebrating the initial flavours. This Pinot Noir is stupendous.

The 2007 Long Gully Single Vineyard Pinot Noir is their top shelf Pinot Noir. The bouquet is excellently aromatic and instantaneously reflects the expectation of something special about to happen to your palate. The wine is rich, complex and perfectly balanced. The flavours of dark cherry, black cherry and spice linger in your mouth and you would have to search long and hard to find such perfect texture. The finish can only be described as velvety and intense.

They make wines to suit both your budget and taste and are a Central Otago success story.

Next time you’re in Central Otago, Mt Difficulty is certainly worth a visit and in Autumn is just spectacular!

 

Mt Difficulty

Felton Road

Bannockburn

03 4453445

info@mtdifficulty.co.nz

Party Time….

YOU’RE ENGAGED!!

Your decision to marry is the most important and exciting turning point in your relationship.

You’ve chosen the ring and remember, if your choice is a diamond, be familiar with the four “C’s”….

Cut    -   it’s about the quality of the cut – the better the cut, the greater brightness, fire and sparkle

Colour  -  the most sought after and most expensive diamonds have no colour

Clarity  -  imperfections are invisible to the naked eye – the less imperfections the more valuable  the diamond

Carat   -  a diamond’s weight is measured in carats – be aware of high carat weight but may be badly cut

 

And now it’s time to plan a party to celebrate your engagement…an opportunity for you and your families to celebrate your wonderful news with the important people in your lives.

Keep everything simple.  You may like to choose a local venue, such as a restaurant or bar, or perhaps a private garden for an informal catered barbeque. The main thing to remember is that you already have a really big party coming up so you don’t want to blow your wedding budget on your engagement celebration. No one will be expecting a formal affair – it can simply be a casual barbeque lunch, an afternoon garden party or evening drinks around the pool.

Hawkshead Lodge and Gardens, Lake Wanaka, New Zealand can offer just that.

As with your wedding, you may want to have a theme for your engagement party, which can add to the sense of fun and celebration.

Keep it relaxed and fun and don’t stress trying to do everything yourselves. Enlist the help of your wedding party and friends to share the load of arranging invitations, decorations, food and drinks, and make getting ready for your party enjoyable.

If you are planning a large wedding, you won’t need to invite everyone to the engagement party – keep it to close friends and family and make it an intimate celebration. If you have made it known that you are having a very small wedding – perhaps family only – or if you are getting married overseas or in another town, you may have a longer list of people you’d like to invite to your engagement party.

Engagement gifts are not expected, but many guests may still want to bring you a little something. Etiquette and tradition suggests that gifts be given prior to the party, however if some of your guests do bring them along, be discreet and open them after the event so others don’t feel uncomfortable. And don’t forget your thankyou notes.

The biggest key to having a successful engagement party is to enjoy yourselves. Make the planning and organising part of the fun and think about how wonderful your wedding day will be.

This is just the beginning!!

All you need do is contact me for a chat about having your special occasion here at Hawkshead.

Bridget

www.hawkshead.co.nz

Cellar Door

NORTHBURN

Central Otago is fast becoming a mecca for connoisseurs of New Zealand’s best food and wine.

We have extraordinary people working in Central Otago and such exciting produce – from grapes, stone fruit, saffron and honey through to merino lamb, venison and rabbit, the region certainly has all the ingredients to appeal to both locals and international visitors alike!

Northburn Station has opened a new chapter in its colourful history with the launch of a contemporary cellar door and function centre focusing on the property’s personal wine label.

Northburn was originally settled in the 1850’s and developed by 3 previous owners before being purchased in 1993 by the Pinckney family. Tom and Jan Pinckney still farm 10,000 merino sheep and 120 cattle on the station however their diversification into grape growing just over a decade ago reflects a new direction for the property.

A variety of grapes are grown on the 23ha vineyard overlooking Lake Dunstan. The first wine released by the station was the 2001 Pinot Noir and more varieties have been added to the portfolio over the past 8 years. Northburn Station Pinot Gris, Reisling, Rose and Pinot Noir are all available for tasting at the cellar door and function centre.

The Shed – inspired by the Northburn Station homestead and original woolshed – is a hayloft and stable building featuring Central Otago stonework on the exterior and corrugated iron from the woolshed.

Northburn produces approximately 2000 bottles of wine a year and the cellar door provides the ideal backdrop for hosted wine tastings based on a wine and food match providing a tasty food morsel to help the palate appreciate the wine.

Northburn is the first cellar door operation in this region to provide a truly quality Central Otago experience for visitors from all over the world.

The Shed

Northburn Station

Cromwell Road, Tarras

03 4451743

info@northburn.co.nz

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