The weekend away in Methven

 Hi,

What a most excellent weekend away. Mike gave me this spa weekend trip for Christmas and this weekend was the time to actually do it! I had no idea really - but Mike had everything in hand.

Met our pre-ordered Uber at 5.25am. And he delivered us fast to the airport for our early check-in.

Lovely weather for our trip south

Getting our Avis Toyota hybrid Corolla Cross 

We landed in Chc super early on our 6.35am flight. All smooth sailing. Got our Avis rental car easily at the airport (A Corolla Cross hybrid - really nice car). Ana and Daniel met us here as they were down looking at land and another pup to join their family.

We headed to work because Mike was working there for the day. And we met Ana and Daniel there too. Hahah. Caught up with Martyn and then I left to go see Toby.

Strange bandit iced latte

Hi Martyn!

Toby, Tessa and I went to Little Poms (after I sorted through the crate in their garage left behind from the last time the van was in Chc) for brekkie. It was as good as ever. Mmmm.

Toby and me at Little Poms

Dune part 2

Then off to Northland. Or Northfield. Something like that. Where Tessa used to work. We got tickets for Dune part 2 - and with fancy seats that vibrate in time with the action on the screen. Went to Farmers and got some work clothes for Tessa before the movie started.

These fancy chairs vibrate with the action on-screen

The movie was so good. Exceptional, really. I loved it.

Then back to collect Mike from work and off to Pomeroys a bit early. 4.30pm at a pub is probably a tad too early. Especially when dinner was 6.30pm.

Sam and Steph arrived. And then Ana and Daniel (after they bought their land - and saw their pup). Had a lovely meal and a few beverages.

Pomeroys

It was late by the time we dropped Toby and Tessa home and headed to Methven. 10.30pm by the time we found our chalet at Pudding Hill. Fumbled with the lockbox for a bit - it was a bit fiddly. 

1.30am bed

The place was freezing. Such a clear night. Turned on all the heaters and climbed into bed and snuggled with Mike. Was asleep in seconds.

Fire alarm Angela is sleepy

But at 1.30am, we were awakened by the fire alarm. Please evacuate the building using the nearest exit. With alarm sounds.

We bumbled around flinging clothes and shoes on and out the door. Then stood in the dark and contemplated what we did next.

Turns out in another chalet was another guest - Jim. So Mike chatted to him. And it turns out Jim works for the fire industry. And what's more, the fire panel was one of his company's boards. Mike read out the panel labels because Jim fled his room without his glasses. And they silenced the board.

Good, because after about 15 mins in the clear, cold, frosty night, in my hoodie and crocs, I was freezing!

Back to bed. And hoping no more alarms.

Morning view of our room

I slept in. Not surprising. Up for a run. Turns out the distance from the gate to the road is 2.5km. Perfect for a 5k run.

Mt Hutt with a skiff of snow

TV room

The spa

Then off to the spa session. We had the tranquillity pool booked for 2 hours from 12.30. Fitted in a walk in the enchanted forest where Mike finished the Peak to Pub run. So nice, Cute.

The swim was so good. They have a wet bar so you can order food and drink and eat in the pool. It was busy so we got our food in a floating cane basket thing. Such fun.

They are so well set up. You get this wristband with your locker number. And it unlocks it electronically. And afterwards - there's this centrifuge that spins your togs dry! Wow!

Loved the whole place - the people were so nice. The venue is amazing. Food is simple and good. I was looking forward to the couples massage on Sunday at this point.

With their solar array

Enchanted forest walk

Mike surveys the spa and mountains

Lovely set up

Back to watch Taylor Swift on Disney Plus at Pudding Hill. Then off to The Dubliner for dinner with Mike.  It was busy and the server was so nice. At the end of dinner, we shared dessert. And Mike got a port. The server gave it to him saying she had no idea how good it was going to me. Mike laughed. Tasted alright, he said.

A wonderful day.

Off to bed, hoping for no more alarms. I slept like a rock. Up to misty rain. We went for a run. Mike did the run twice to get a 10k in. 

Misty rain at Pudding Hill on Sunday morning

Checked out, knowing we would be back to stay here again. I do love this place. Then into Primo in Methven for brekkie.

Primo iced latte

Gorgeous wee dog

We had time to kill before our massage at 1.45pm. So headed to Rakaia Gorge to skim stones. But there is a new walk from a few new laybys. So we stopped to see the view - then walked down to the river and back up again. Picked blackberries along the way. There was a jet boat race through buoys - so I didn't skim stones.

Rakaia gorge

Taniwha walk

New layby by the bridge

Jet boat racing

Skimming stones

Headed back to Methevn and the spa. Loved the massage. So you get a watch with a number that opens a locker. And in there, you get a robe and towel. Stripped to undies and used the robe. Met Mike outside the spa rooms. And Tanira and Gabby (ok - probably got those names wrong) met us, took us through the health sheets and then we were in the room.

Spa iced latte before our massage

1 hour went fast! It was so good. Then changed and then driving back to Chc. Picked Toby up and went to the airport. Had Lone Star nibbles before going to Macs Bar at the airport where Tessa works.

Juice Newtown. Hahah. Delicious.

Toby chats to Tessa

Finished our photos session with Toby seeing all the Hawaii pics. Then off to board. My bag triggered the scanner because I had a tool inside from the van clear out. But they let me keep it as it was 19.99cm long.

Ubered back to Wellington to our house. Fed the cats. And off to bed.

Moxley wakes up

And back at work. Woot! Such a good weekend. Thank you Mike.

Love,

Angela