Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Weekend getaway

I usually come back with lots of photographs but not this time.
We had a rushed trip down to Napier - leaving on Saturday morning and returning home on Sunday.

 We stopped at Taupo for a quick bite for lunch and this was the wonderful view, from the little cafe we dined at.
Looking out over Lake Taupo,  with the snow capped Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe in the distance.  
( should have taken the zoom lens)

 After the five hour journey we were happy to pull up the driveway to the grand McHardy Lodge, which would be our home for the night.
Nestled in a quiet cul de sac,  the beautifully restored 1890's historical home was full of character and charm.

The room we choose was the Versailles Room, which was beautiful.
Had the best sleep and pleasant dreams, tucked up in the most wonderfully large, comfortable bed with gorgeous cotton sheets.
In the morning we sat around the huge table and enjoyed breakfast.
 So a lovely little escape for the night.

 We have tickets to the Queen Concert for Wednesday night.
While I don't think anyone could replace Freddie's extraordinary voice, the reviews I have read...' that Adam Lambert is a showman and that it was a fabulous night of all the great songs'
So will be exciting to hear the talented band, Brian May playing guitar and Roger Taylor  and amazing to think, Queen was formed in 1970 and still going strong.
Happy September! dear friends
hugs
Carolyn
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37 comments:

  1. ClaudiaSeptember 2, 2014 at 4:35 PM

    My dearest Carolyn,
    what a lovely and wonderful place you have been! The Lodge looks great and I am happy, you had such a good time!
    Queen, without Freddie .............great, it was a good concert! I heared this new singer too and he is not bad ;O) But not Freddie ;O)
    Have a wonderful week, my dear friend,
    sending Love and hugs,
    Claudia

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  2. Kays KidsSeptember 2, 2014 at 5:18 PM

    Carolyn I loved reading this post. The Homestead you stayed at is so, so much like the home I grew up in as a child. The same pillars on the veranda and all. We had the veranda all round and did not have the annex on the left.
    I'm sure the Queen concert would have been great.
    Hugs Kay

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  3. GeliSeptember 2, 2014 at 6:02 PM

    Dear Carolyn!
    What a wonderful little trip with your husband!
    And very romantic with all the beautiful surroundings.
    Enjoy the concert and happy week!
    With love, Geli

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  4. ETT RÖTT MONOGRAMSeptember 2, 2014 at 6:46 PM

    Fun with a weekend trip to Napier.
    Queen concert sound exiting, hope
    it is great.
    Hugs/AM

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  5. LilliSeptember 2, 2014 at 7:13 PM

    Hi Carolyn, glad you have a lovely weekend getaway, the place looks marvelous! Enjoy the concert, how thrilling! HAppy Sept to u too, hugs! xo

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  6. JeanneSeptember 2, 2014 at 7:38 PM

    Happy September sweet friend. I love all of your postings and you. Blessings
    Love Jeanne

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  7. Jane and Lance HattattSeptember 2, 2014 at 7:46 PM

    Hello Carolyn,

    We love impromptu short breaks. So often they turn out to be far better than longer holidays which one gas planned for weeks.

    Your overnight accommodation looks wonderful. Exactly the kind of place which we would have chosen too. It looks so very welcoming and sounds to have been exceedingly comfortable.

    It will be interesting to hear Queen without the wonderful Freddy Mercury.....not many bands have lasted even half the time!

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  8. It's meSeptember 2, 2014 at 7:59 PM

    Great ..!,,, queen !....enjoy it Darling..happy week...love Ria...xxx!

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  9. orchid0324September 2, 2014 at 8:31 PM

    I'm so happy for your relaxing 'weekend getaway', Carolyn . Oh, the Versailles Room in the gorgeous looking McHardy Lodge must have been heavenly♡♡♡
    My music lover husband would LOVE to go enjoy the concert. I hope you will be having spring like weather, unlike our terrible summer... :-)

    Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

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  10. Alberto Hugo RojasSeptember 2, 2014 at 9:00 PM

    I love de rose pic!

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  11. cuckiSeptember 2, 2014 at 9:02 PM

    So beautiful
    Have a lovely day xxx

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  12. trishieSeptember 2, 2014 at 9:43 PM

    Oh my gosh, that lodge looks so beautiful and grand. Bookmarking it for if I ever visit.

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  13. Castles Crowns and CottagesSeptember 2, 2014 at 10:34 PM

    Ohhhh....that view from your CAFE SEAT! How delightful and calming! It seems like you are starting your spring/summer feel for travel now, dear friend! And I am starting my second week of school as our fall approaches. Thank you so much for coming over for a visit. Seeing your sweet words always makes me smile.

    HAVE A GREAT DAY!

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  14. BarbaraSeptember 2, 2014 at 11:05 PM

    When I have forgotten my camera, my daughter points to her head....it's all held in your memory, Mom. Of course, that doesn't help with our blog posts, but she's right, it's in there for us to remember forever.
    What fun to go to a Queen concert, Carolyn!

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  15. Optimistic ExistentialistSeptember 2, 2014 at 11:48 PM

    Wow Carolyn this looks and seems like it was an amazing getaway :)

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  16. DortheSeptember 3, 2014 at 3:04 AM

    Dear Carolyn,
    yes ,The Queens were and are wonderful, and Freddy was exeptional, How wonderful,for you to have such a lovely tour ,enjoying the drive and fantastic views - The hotel looks so beautiful, -what a great tour !
    Hugs Dorthe

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  17. Angelsdoor * PennySeptember 3, 2014 at 3:05 AM

    Dear Carolyn,
    What a great getaway, and such a beautiful place to rest your head.. McHardy Lodge looks magnificent!
    blessings,
    Penny

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  18. Jennifer HaysSeptember 3, 2014 at 4:16 AM

    Have fun at the Queen concert! I loved visiting Taupo when I was in NZ years ago (my husband's parents live in Wanganui). I really enjoyed the whole area around Taupo and Rotorua. I hope you have a good week.

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  19. My Garden DiariesSeptember 3, 2014 at 7:23 AM

    What a charming lodge friend!!! And what a view!! The concert sounds fantastic! Have a wonderful time!!! Nicole xoxo

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  20. Celestina MarieSeptember 3, 2014 at 7:27 AM

    Hi Carolyn, what a wonderful overnight getaway. Nothing better then a day and evening away to refresh. What a gorgeous place to stay. Your description takes the place of the pics and the lovely time you enjoyed.
    Have fun at the concert!!

    Big hugs and Blessings!

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  21. Amy at love made my homeSeptember 3, 2014 at 8:16 AM

    I hope that you have a wonderful time at the concert!!! xx

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  22. UnknownSeptember 3, 2014 at 9:10 AM

    Hi Carolin. Wonderful images, like alwais, i hope you have a wonderful september. Kisses and hugs. NI

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  23. Red Rose AlleySeptember 3, 2014 at 9:42 AM

    Lake Taupo is so pretty, and the clouds in the sky really make this picture. wow, this lodge is gorgeous; historical homes like this have so much charm. Your room sounds very nice. aahh, your pink rose pictures always make me smile.

    How interesting to learn about your heritage, Carolyn. My husband is Scottish and Welsh too. Both of you have great character too. :~)

    love,
    ~Sheri

    by the way, I would love to see those dolls of yours from around the world sometime.

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  24. Midnight CowgirlSeptember 3, 2014 at 10:38 AM

    Seeing Queen in concert sounds like a lot of fun! Hope you enjoy it!

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  25. Couture CarrieSeptember 3, 2014 at 11:26 AM

    The lodge sounds lovely!

    xoxox,
    CC

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  26. Mariette VandenMunckhof-VedderSeptember 3, 2014 at 11:46 AM

    Dearest Carolyn
    You still did capture the spirit of your weekend escape. We cannot always carry the right lens(es) with us, wherever we go...
    Sending you hugs and love,
    Mariette

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  27. Marsha @ Tattered ChickSeptember 3, 2014 at 1:25 PM

    Ah, a quick weekend getaway sounds fabulous!!!! Thank you for stopping by! I have been lax in visiting. Shame on me :( Enjoy the concert!!!!! xoxo

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  28. Happy-SonneSeptember 3, 2014 at 3:54 PM

    Dear Carolyn
    Thank you for the nice trip! The pictures are so wonderful!
    Thank you also for the kind visit to my blog.
    I wish you a happy rest of the week with a lot uf sun.
    Love and hugs Yvonne

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  29. Roses, Lace and BrocanteSeptember 3, 2014 at 9:22 PM

    Napier is a great weekend getaway Carolyn!
    I'm a Hawkes Bay girl born and bred and I love going back there.
    McHardy's is a beautiful old house.

    Enjoy 'Queen' tonight - I'm sure they won't disappoint!
    Hugs
    Shane

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  30. Glam up your LifestyleSeptember 3, 2014 at 10:33 PM

    Short breaks are always great, for body and soul. Enjoy the concert

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  31. GiacSeptember 3, 2014 at 11:39 PM

    Hello Carolyn,
    what a wonderful building and such an incredible view. It all looks beautiful. Enjoy the concert!
    Big hug,
    Giac

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  32. Karen @ Beatrice EuphemieSeptember 4, 2014 at 7:55 AM

    This sounds wonderful! A beautiful place to spend the night and how exciting to see Queen! Have fun! xo Karen

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  33. UnknownSeptember 4, 2014 at 8:27 AM

    Sounds like your getaway turned out to be great. Thanks for sharing. You had some wonderful views.

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  34. MadeliefSeptember 5, 2014 at 7:43 AM

    Hope the Queen concert was lovely Carolyn! Wishing you a happy weekend!

    Madelief x

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  35. Draffin BearsSeptember 5, 2014 at 8:47 AM

    Hi Madelief,

    The Queen concert was wonderful really enjoyed our night out.
    Carolyn

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  36. MoniqueSeptember 6, 2014 at 7:19 AM

    Hi carolyn! Your Country is a wonderful place and your pictures confirm it!
    Have a nice weekend!
    Monique

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  37. Down by the seaSeptember 7, 2014 at 7:38 AM

    Hope you have a wonderful break and enjoyed the concert. Sarah x

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Thank you so much for visiting Draffin Bears.
It always makes me happy to read your comments
and I look forward to visiting you.


Carolyn xx

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