5 posts tagged “levin”

After the ANZAC Day service, we had morning tea. Some of the Miss New Zealand contestants came in after they had their hair and make-up done. Two veterans, Richard and Ken, loved the attention they got—especially Ken, who said, ‘I’ll have to start saying my prayers earlier tonight.’
   I was snapping away on the cell, though I missed the one where some of the present-day soldiers from Linton were getting food and froze when a few of the girls got theirs, bending over to do so. I was told by one of the pageant folks that the lads stopped and forgot they were holding their own food and drinks. I would have, too, probably.

   The ladies have a chat over morning tea.    Two real characters, Richard (wiping his mouth) and Ken, loved the attention—and Ken was a real charmer with the ladies!    Miss Horowhenua, and eventual runner-up, Priyani Puketapu, spots my cellphone poised to take a shot.    A general shot and you can see the plate with the sausage rolls has had good business.    This was the last van-load of contestants to depart. I don’t know what the sergeant is saying here but was there a love connection? (I love the fact that this Mazda van has the slogan ‘Home of Holden’ on the tailgate!)

I can say that my ANZAC Day was unique. I have done the odd service, but this was the first time I marched in an ANZAC Day parade, with the Miss New Zealand contestants, in the town of Levin last Saturday. We began outside the library and went to the cenotaph for the service. The girls had to leave early because of make-up and hair appointments, but we oldies stayed on for the duration and put our poppies down at the memorial.

[Cross-posted at Lucire] We finally have images of Katie Taylor, Miss Universe New Zealand 2009, from the night itself, rather than photographs taken casually during the days I was there. We’ve distributed some from this series to media today.

Photo credit: Paul Whiteford/Southern First National via JY&A Media

A few months ago I posted cellphone pics from my trip to Spa Horrobin & Hodge. Here are some more, plus my story that ran in Lucire last month.

A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of visiting the Horrobin & Hodge spa in Manakau, north of Levin, for a future issue of Lucire. These are just random shots; the real 35 mm and digital ones will appear online and in print in due course. You can get great spa treatments there with products from Hema and other top-end lines, and I was pampered with a massage. A big thank-you to Sarah and Jacquie for making me feel so welcome, for an amazing lunch (meat from the farm next door and vegetables grown on site) and for letting me sleep on the day room couch when I was in sublime relaxation!
   Basically you are looking at world-class treatment but country-style hospitality—which makes the hour’s drive from Wellington well worth it.
   The first four shots are from the day room, both inside and the views toward the west and north.

   The reception is way cool: the lights are 110 ml milk bottles in a crate, acknowledging the rural heritage of the site. The old-fashioned telephone is actually push-button and not rotary, but it looks great alongside the Dell computer screen.    And, nearing sunset, one last shot before driving back to Wellington.