January 2012
Happy New Year
Christmas has been and gone for another year although we still are enjoying the spoils of the festive season.
Our garden looked wonderful in the late spring but now needs salvaging from the devastation of the last few days of rain and wind.
Calico Lodge has been home to a variety of guests, many visiting family and friends in the Kumeu, Waimauku and Muriwai areas, tourists, surfers, and golfers.
Wedding guests are noticeable in their absence, maybe there are not as many weddings this season or there are other reasons why people are not staying in the Kumeu area or at Calico Lodge.
Calico Lodge can appear to be expensive to stay at but you need to consider the inclusions of a full cooked Breakfast, free WIFI, tea and coffee; 24 hours, embroidered towels, bathroom amenities, fresh flowers, chocolates and a bottle of local wine if you stay with us for 2 or more nights.
Many accommodation sites in the area offer very little other than a bed.
We hope that a great Christmas was had by all, and we wish everyone the very best for 2012.
Many thanks for the many kind wishes that we have received over the holiday season.
November 2011
Many many thanks to all the fantastic guests we have had the opportunity to host at Calico Lodge over the last two months. The rugby is all over now, congratulations to the All Blacks, and we did expect that November would be quiet at Calico Lodge.
But the wedding season is away in full force with the Lodge full last weekend. Three weddings were the destination of these guests, Kumeu Valley Estate, Soljans Winery and Bridgewater.
We have many bookings for November, some from overseas travellers and many for weddings or functions in the Kumeu area.
December may be quiet but January is busy with the Classic Car and Hot Rod Show, the Folk Festival and local weddings.
It is already warmer but we are still waiting for the clear sunny days, maybe next week.
September 2011
The Rugby World Cup 2011 has started and Auckland has hosted travellers from all over the World.
Here at Calico Lodge we have had French and Australians staying, and what delightful guests they have been to have at CALICO LODGE B & B.
They have been able to watch their teams win their first games even though they were like the ALL BLACKS and stumbled a little.
The weather for the opening was perfect, public transport a disaster, (this is Auckland) and the All Blacks should have played better. But time will tell as this event progresses.
Unfortunately our weather has had a hiccup but should improve later in the week.
Zippy and the cats have enjoyed our international guests and are looking forward to welcoming more guests from many parts of the world.
GO THE ALL BLACKS
Summer has been and gone.
Overseas visitors came from many parts; United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Sweden, Germany, France, Italy and Netherlands and have been hosted at Calico Lodge. Kerry and Kay have had great conservation and discussions over breakfast and sometimes a glass of wine or a cup of coffee in the late afternoon.
Guests stayed at
Calico Lodge for a variety of reasons, to visit with Zippy and Soxes, a stop off
when heading north or south, visiting the wineries, playing golf, their first
stop off in New Zealand because we allow them to check in early, their last
night with a late check out, visiting family, viewing Kay’s art quilts and
purchasing New Zealand fabric, and viewing the gannets at Muriwai black sand
beach.
Calico Lodge has had a very busy and entertaining summer with American bus tours and garden groups for lunch or morning tea. Our guests attending weddings at the local venues have been numerous, many from all corners of the World, and New Zealanders from all parts of our great country. Kumeu has been the selected area for many brides for their very special day.
The Kumeu Classic Car and Hot Rod Show was another spectacular show and bought many visitors from all corners of the World.
Our Kumeu Show was a hit but maybe the Kumeu Country Market each month is the best new addition to the Kumeu area. We wish Courtney all the very best for her future markets and thank her for bringing this long overdue event to our area.
The mornings and evenings are now cooler, winter is not very far away, but we can look forward to September and Spring.
September and October is the time of the Rugby World Cup and already Calico Lodge has many bookings from all over the World, the first booking from Italy and the latest from England.
Calico Lodge is a great bed and breakfast to stay at as we are in the countryside, peaceful, quiet and friendly, but you do need your own transport to take advantage of all this great area of Kumeu in North West Auckland has to offer. Wineries, cafes, restaurants, golf courses, beaches and many activities are very close by.
We are only 26 kms from either Eden Park of North Harbour Stadium, Auckland City is 26 kms away and the airport is approx 44 kms.
Click on Raymond Chan to learn about the quality of wines produced in Kumeu.
