Let’s travel in 2025
I’m having one of those lovely wonderful wintery days inside beside the fire and working on tours for 2025. Since arriving back on the 3rd of August, we have had superb sunny days with frosty starts and extremely hot temperatures inside our house during the day.
I have secured accommodation for Italy, France and Turkey and I’m waiting for replies for the Autumn Victorian tour in April.
We have decided to repeat the French experience because we loved it so much and hopefully next year we will see the Lavender in full bloom.
After a research trip to Puglia Philip and I have decided to include a week in a stunning villa for the Italian tour and include Umbria and the lesser-known Abruzzo in the itinerary.
2025 Tour Dates
Victoria - 6th – 17h April
Italy - 2nd – 19th June
France – 24th June – 9th July
Turkey – 3rd – 20th September
At this stage, I can provide rough itineraries and the costings for 2024. I need to confirm the tour details. However, if you think you might be interested, get in touch and I’ll add your details to the tour. Once I have everything completed you can confirm or decline and I’ll send you a booking form.
Since returning from Greece just over 3 weeks ago we managed to do the last of the perennial cut down in the garden before Philip had his knee replacement in Dunedin a month earlier than we expected. He is recovering very well and after 5 days he has dispensed with his crutches and is happy inside doing “tax returns” !
We also managed to do a Dunedin garden tidy-up before Philips hospital admission and we are thrilled with the Hellebores, Daffodils and Primulas that are all clumping up and looking stunning. I love the difference between the Dunedin and Tarras gardens and being able to have completely different planting.
The NZ Lilac expert Beryl Lee who lives in Dunedin with the National Collection surprised me with a boot full of lilacs to grow in Central. She has transferred much of her collection to the outskirts of Alexandra on the way to Ophir – so if you're in the area in October make appoint to visit these beauties.
I have always wanted a lilac walkway after visiting Hidecote in the UK in 1996. I’m pretty excited that I’m well on the way now.
But returning home is made ‘real’ by catching up with the wonderful friends that we have made here in Tarras and our oldies in Dunedin and Wanaka. Revisiting my favourite haunts on the way to Dunedin is a must and they would sit well anywhere in the world. Created by exceedingly clever, vibrantly energic and special locals.
Our French House sitters Louise and Benoit have stayed on and although busy at the Tarras café or skiing, they are paying us by gardening. What a godsend with Philip unable to work and I am in awe of their strength and enthusiasm. I have plenty of enthusiasm but I can’t believe how my strength has declined. Spring is late here in Central Otago and I can slowly see the daffodils and tulips emerging. Many of you in the North Island will be well into Spring colour. It is a stunning time of the year especially when all the lime green starts appearing on the Euphorbias.
So … Think Travel 2025. I have already had a lot of interest and tentative bookings.
I want my tours to be special and engage with the regions we are visiting - all the while staying in unique accommodation and enjoying the food and wine.
XXX Judith