New Spa Pool For Dragon Tree Lodge

One of our priorities for the Lodge has always been to provide a luxurious spa pool for socialising and relaxation. This past weekend we enjoyed our first celebratory glass of wine amidst the jets and bubbles on a beautifully sunny winter's day, with the view from the pool just as we'd hoped it would be - the Dragon, the sweep of the bay and the green, rolling countryside stretched out below.

We think our guests are going to love the accompanying outdoor solar-heated shower, the firepit and the quirky seating area around it. We are adding plants for colour and fragrance and this will soon be an area to delight the senses.

The pool itself is great - a wonderful hydrotherapy seat that is a treat for the neck and shoulders and back, plus a lounge seat that gives a great back massage. The pool will seat seven in all, so it's great for a party of friends to enjoy. Add to this built-in aromatherapy and relaxing music nearby, and it's a real treat.

So much so, that when we got out after our photo session (thanks to Rosemary and Ceridwyn for taking the pix) we felt slightly weightless and bouncy! - not the effects of one glass of wine, thank you.

Hello Mr President

Sure enough, Philip was elected (unopposed) to the position of GABA president and I must say I felt very proud as he spoke so well, and then graciously introduced the Prime Minister and conducted the question time to follow. Helen Clark got a rousing reception as she recounted all the changes that the present Labour government has initiated which benefit gays and lesbians.

Afterwards I was also introduced to her and I must say a) she is smaller in person than you would imagine and b) she is very chatty and easy to talk to. I was impressed with the way she stayed right until the end of the event, talking with people and posing for photos with them. We hope to have a pic or two to post soon.

Meanwhile I got the opportunity to chat further with Peter Kaiser, long-time partner of the Minister of Education (Hon. Chris Carter) who is keen to get visiting friends to come and stay at the Lodge.

We're really hoping that Philip's role as President will increase the profile of Dragon Tree Lodge! At least, he said afterwards "People are treating me differently already". The retiring president's partner Horst, told me that he would give me all his hats, shoes and handbags now that I am going to be "First Lady". Cheeky!

Just call me Imelda.

Can I touch you, Philip?

Crikey! Philip has been asked to stand for President of GABA by the current President who is standing down. If elected, his first responsibility will be to introduce the Prime Minister, Helen Clark, who is our guest of honour on Wednesday 2 July. I must take my camera along!
Helen Clark
Even though there is so much to do in the development of our business, we agreed that Philip should stand for President because it will give our business really good exposure! Watch this space!

Gay it up!

Let's face it, gay men have a different sense of style to lesbians. The Lodge is already attractive and well set out for accommodation and a sense of hospitality, but it's just not gay enough! That's why we're developing the spa area as a relaxing communal outdoor space.

Meanwhile, indoors, while we were in Kerikeri enjoying the hospitality of Geoff & Chris at 88 Lodge, we went shopping (it was raining) and found a beautiful chocolate comforter and matching accessories to "gay up" one of the bedrooms. Of course two queens umming and erring over what to choose can take all morning and it was really only the prospect of lunch that made us decide.

The following weekend Ian gets despatched to a local sale to choose more comforters and europillows to 'enhance the bedroom experience' for our prospective guests. Hooray - Philip liked what Ian chose, just as well.

More furnishings, plants, etc still to be decided upon. There's one orchid in residence already and so far Rosemary has managed not to kill it. This weekend: get that spa pool going, girlfriend!

Spa goes in

Haven't posted in a while as we have been so busy with preparing the outdoor living area complete with 6-7 person seater spa pool on a platform overlooking the view.

Philip has done a great job preparing the ground, and our builder, Tony, has made quick work of creating a well-screened area which includes a solar-heated outdoor shower. Our next newsletter is going to be taken up with pictures and information about this new development.

This coming weekend we hope to fire up the spa and give our friends who come to help us lug paving stones about some real relaxation - they're sure to deserve it!

To be business of the month

Yay! We are going to be featured as GABA's business of the month in June. Gaba (Gay Auckland Business Association) features one business at each meeting, and we are determined to put on a polished presentation to the meeting, with plenty to engage the punters. Visit GABA.

A quick mince round to the Pancake Rocks

One of the unmarked attractions of the Bream Bay coastline is the Pancake Rocks near Waipu Cove. You have to know someone who has been there to find it. This weekend Philip & I were able to come up a day early, and Friday proved to be one of those perfect autumn days, a standout in the long Indian Summer we have been enjoying this year.

So late in the morning we decided to take make the most of the opportunity, and visit the Pancake Rocks, something which we had been meaning to do for ages.

We paddled across the stream, Philip being very "Miss Thing" about the prospect of the water flowing in over the top of his gumboots.

We followed the rough track to the top of the hill and looked down to the gorgeous little beach below, which is little used, apparently:

Well, it was certainly empty that day!
Just another example of the wide open spaces New Zealand has to offer the visitor - and Bream Bay has many such attractions.

The goat track carried on past several rather grand houses with stunning outlooks - it's all private land so we are fortunate to be allowed to access the rocks.

Several muddy feet later we reached the rocks and were fascinated by the "Middle Earth" quality of the landscape. It was a photographer's paradise - so do take a look at the other pictures hosted on Flickr.

After this excursion (highly recommended!) we definitely needed a glass of wine or two to go with our tuna melts for lunch.