It would be my very great pleasure to help you plan a holiday to any of the places I have been to.
Lesley Masters
THE SLOW TRAVEL COMPANY NZ LIMITED
PO BOX 65-037
MAIRANGI BAY,
NORTH SHORE CITY, 0630
NEW ZEALAND
Ph/Fax +64 9 479 4408
M +64 278 595 235
Latest News - Autumn 2010
Auckland Day Tours to begin
After almost a year of planning The Slow Travel Company NZ is ready to begin taking tours to some of Auckland's best hidden and secret places. Over the past year or so I have had a thoroughly enjoyable time exploring Auckland, meeting many wonderful people who have been quick to share their own special places and eaten at some of the very best cafes and restaurants.
It is time to share my new found knowledge with others and to give them an unforgetable time in Auckland.
Do you want to know more . . .
Long Overdue South Island 'Road Trip'
Not too long ago my sister and her husband returned home after an amazing three week trip to the South Island.
She sent me a wonderful Smilebox of their trip. Watching it gave me so much joy, that thought it would be great to share it with others. I asked if I could put it on my website and this is what she had to say about their trip . . .
Recently we spent three weeks and drove 6,000kms exploring the South Island. I'm left wondering why it has taken me so long to get there.
From Picton we explored the Blenheim wine growing area and then headed North towards Farewell Spit. The trip from Nelson to Christchurch was broken up with a leisurely soak in the thermal pools at picturesque Hanmer Springs. We stayed two nights in Christchurch and made a day trip to the charming French influenced town of Akaroa. For lunch we enjoyed fish and chips on a hot 26 degree day. On the way to Alexandra we stayed at the unbelievably beautiful aqua Lake Tekapo.
Over four days we cycled 150 kilometres following The Otago Rail Trail from Alexandra to Middlemarch. The trail has been specifically created for mountain bikers, walkers and horse riders and follows the old Central Otago branch railway line, passing through many towns along the way. We cycled through spectacular scenery from mountain ranges, hills and gorges, across the vast Maniototo plain, through old gold mining towns and ending amongst the fruit growing areas of Central Otago. The accomodation and meals along the way were superb.
The next stop was Queenstown, timed perfectly to take in the Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow. We then wound our way up the West Coast, staying overnight in Greymouth. Crossed through Arthur's Pass to squeeze in Kaikoura, before heading to Picton and the homeward journey.
We packed in a lot but missed Southland and Fiordland. Three weeks just wasn't long enough!
Click here to enjoy her Smilebox
Did you know?
The Department Store in Takapuna has been named amongst the best shops in the world barely five months after opening. The store has been billed number one in the list of 25 best retailers around the world by the international magazine Monocle which covers design trends and retail industries and art, popculture and politics.
Mairangi Bay Village could get a farmers' market as soon as next month. The markets will boast live music and 24 stalls selling high-quality food items.
One of the nicest flower shops I have ever been into is located in Takapuna. And, I have been in flower shops all around the world, including Jane Packer's (who is widely recognised as one of the worlds most influential florists) London store.
In Takapuna you will find Franca Logan's delightful shop Florienne, where you can get stylish florals for any occasion, vessels and vases, great gifts and much more . . . .
Auckland is tied with Vancouver as the 4th best lifestyle city in the world!!
The Seasons are changing
Right now as we enter our last month of autumn I wonder just how many people have noticed the wonderful autumnal colours of the trees this year.
Here in Auckland the trees are showing so much vivid autumn colour - rich burgundys, vibrant oranges and brilliant yellows. The reason being that we had exceptionally dry months in March and April, meaning the trees were more stressed and the result being more autumnal colour of the leaves.
What's on in Auckland?
Click here to enjoy her Smilebox
Want to Find out more . . . .
Dare to Dream
Not too long ago my sister sent me an inspirational email from Dr Anthony Fernando, with a link to his website.
I followed the link and downloaded his Dare to Dream ebook. There is nothing new in this book but it is so well put that it will give inspiration.
I loved his article about Finding the Road Less Travelled. He is much more eloquent at putting a philosophy that I can so much concur with. As he puts it One of the best ways to reduce the amount of stress in your life is to develop the habit of looking for the road less travelled. The secret to finding the road less travelled is to observe what the majority of people do, and do the exact opposite. Want to read more . . .
My Morning Walk
I never quite know what I will find on my morning walk. Some days the sea is as calm as a mill pond and on others there can be quite a surf rolling in. But no matter the weather the view is spectacular. People I meet along the way always agree that we are very fortunate to live in such a beautiful place.
One day I met a lady carrying a handful of shells. I asked her if she had a 'fetish' for collecting shells like me??. No she did not. She collects shells for the grandchildren to make pretty necklaces with when they come to visit. She has a jar at the door she calls a 'shell-o-meter." She had seen a saying once about beaches "Leave only footprints and take only memories". So she calls the necklaces the grandchildren make 'pretty memories', but her granddaughter just calls them 'pretties'. She has also trained her grandchildren to collect broken glass (keeps their toes safe) and they try to clear a piece of glass for every shell the beach gives them. It does not always work like that but she says its a nice idea.
Pictured Opposite -
Mascalzone Lationo of Italy and Emirates Team New Zealand sailing off in the Louis Vuitton Trophy Series in the Rangitoto Channel.
Image captured on My Morning Walk, 20 March 2010.
Do you need help with your Accounts?
I am a qualified Accountant with considerable experience in Management Accounting. In my youth I worked my 'internship' in Chartered Accountants Offices preparing small and medium size business accounts and tax returns, as well as a four year stint in auditing.
In the past year I have gained experience as a small business owner myself. I have set up my own company and gained considerable business experience at the "coal face" so to speak.
So if you need help with your
- Annual Accounts
- Monthly Accounts
- Budgets and Cashflows
- GST Returns
or to setup an in-house accounting system using Xero?
Why not call me on (09) 479 4400 to discuss, Lesley
PS. I have just read a beautiful little book by Julia Bickerstaff titled How to Bake a BUSINESS Recipes and Advice to turn your small enterprise into a big success. It is such an easy read and I would recomend it to anyone starting off in business.
