Weekend in Luxury

My slice of heaven is not the only magical place in Hawkes Bay. This is another. Chapelwick Coastal Estate. About 90 minute drive from my place this historical property, owned by Rod and Raewyn Sykes, is a very special Bed & Breakfast with a touch of country and old world elegance.

Not only can you find beautifully furnished rooms to relax in, there is also the billiards room, the swimming pool and tennis court and a myriad of farm animals to play with. When I was at Chapelwick recently there were two new little lambs learning the ropes at Chapelwick. Trixie and Russell were only a day old when they came to live at Chapelwick and, during my stay, I was on lamb feeding duty. The plaintive bleats could be heard as you left the kitchen with the hungrily awaited bottles of milk for the babies. All I can say is thank goodness I am not a mother sheep - those lambs are not gently when it comes to getting their bottle's worth of milk. And their wool is like a carpet that they are going to grow into. But just delightful even if they are going to end up on my dinner plate one day.

You can also say a close up hello to Red, Stripe and Spot - the young heifers and check that the "girls" (eight hens) have done their duty each morning for your freshly scrambled eggs. Not into animals? Then just enjoy the acres of beautiful gardens or have a close encounter with the Lord in the Hunter family Historical Chapel sitting proudly in the corner of the estate. If you want to find out more check out their website - www.chapelwick.co.nz

THE BEST....Dreaming of yesteryear as you gracefully walk up the ornate grand staircase to your suite

THE WORST.....Cuddling up with the cutest little lamb that, in all likelihood, you could be eating in a few months

I'M LEARNING....that you don't need a rooster to get eggs. They're way too noisy anyway.