No survivors in the Greymouth Mine Disaster

Following a second huge explosion a pall of sadness envelopes Greymouth and the entire nation.

There are no survivors. 29 men lost.

Love and prayers are the intangible help we can give.

I was born in Greymouth and know the impact this is going to have on this town. I feel their pain and their grief.

RIP

Fun and Laughter

Saturday 20 November 2010

What is it with these wonderful Finnish visitors? They are stunning people. Today we have a couple in the house who speak very limited English and of course they are doing better than us as we speak no Finn!

We had some good laughs over coffee when they arrived and then they went off for a drive around our town. Lo and behold they returned bearing beautiful flowers and a bottle of delicious Syrah which we all enjoyed and had some more laughs. Gotta love what we do....

Returning Guests

Sunday 14 November 2010

I love it when guests return from the other side of the world to visit us. Tonight we have an English couple who were here on their honeymoon and tonight they are celebrating anniversary #10 here at The Springs.It will be a happy evening...

Today we have a Dutch Father and daughter off on a helicopter trip to White Island, our active volcano. Can't wait ti see their pictures.

Our American honeymooners are biking in the Redwood Forest then they are off to white water raft the world's highest commercially rafted waterfall.... and to be young and crazy again!

Hotel Inspector...

Sunday 07 November 2010

Well the Rowing World Cup Regatta has just finished and it was a fantastic event held in a corner of New Zealand paradise.Our teams did really well so we are happy.

Oh and the All Blacks won last night at Twickenham, but it was a patchy victory.

The sun is shining and Murray is out in the garden manicuring the hedges.The roses are blooming and I am off to give everything a drink.

For those of you who follow "Glee", we had Sue Sylvester stay with us over the last few days. Sue was indeed a music teacher, but no relation to the Sue of "Glee".

You never know who is going to turn up at our front door... this time we have a retired Bed and Breakfast inspector who worked for the Scottish Tourism Board. We passed!

Tuesday 02 November 2010

Well the painters are finished and the property looks stunning. Lawns were done today and the windows are sparkling.

Leonard Cohen was fantastic. He stayed on stage for almost 4 hours. Not bad for 76. His songs are still in my head.

Painting The House

Wednesday 27 October 2010

Hooray, the painters are in and the house is going to look just gorgeous. It's the same colour, but will be fresh and clean.

Going Leonard Cohen tomorrow night and our daughter is over from Melbourne so all is right with the world.

The first rose has peeped through this morning. Summer is almost here and we are awaiting your arrival!

Single Speed Biking Redwood Forest

Monday 25 October 2010

Wow, what a fabulous Labour Weekend we have had. Rotorua is just buzzing with the Single Speed bike racing. Today people are heading home after the long weekend and in our area the next bank holiday is Christmas. Perish the thought!

Today we are off for a walk in the Redwood forest not far from The Springs. It's such a peaceful place to wander through at one with the birds and nature.

Lost Guests!

Friday 22 October 2010

Yesterday we were waiting for arriving guests. The coach pulled up at the gate and we waited for them to disembark. No sign of them.

The driver came to tell us he had lost them! Turns out they popped off the coach at the Agrodome and got themselves a free tour. Eventually they arrived and had a good laugh over a cup of tea.

Baby Pukeko

Saturday 16th October 2010

The day is glorious Springtime weather continues, so at lunchtime we went for a coffee and a walk around the Lakefront. The black swans have their cygnets and the baby Pukekos are just so cute.

The house has been filled with honeymooners and a couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, Such fun!

Lo Flying Tuis....

Sunday 03 October 2010

I just had to tell you the glorious weather continues and there are 10 Tuis low flying around our yard supping on the nectar of four Kowhai trees. Bliss!

Saturday 02 October 2010

Finally the biggest storm of the planet the size of Australia has gone and our Spring weather has arrived. It is so clement with a huge sun and a gentle breeze.

The city tulip beds look stunning as you can see. The Spring's gardens are stll slowly growing, but we are on high bug alert as they try to feast on the new rose shoots.

Social networking is the big thing nowdays so if you want to follow us on Twitter (springsbandb) or Facebook (The Springs Luxury Urban Lodge)we will be pleased to see you there.

Season 13 or Maybe 12B

Thursday 02 September 2010

Here at The Springs we have opened our doors to season 13 and where those 12 years have gone only my grey hair, thickening waistline and a few more wrinkles know!
Springtime is almost upon us with the temperatures creeping slowly upwards. The roses are in early leaf so now we are on bug alert.

In today's mail were 2 holiday postcards from Christina and Esa in Findland.Christina says she pops on to read this diary so a big hello and thank you to you, Christina.

It's our honeymoon season again and during this week we will be hosts to 4 happy couples, all from Spain. It's great to have them here so we can congratulate them in person on winning the World Cup.

It's just 12 months until the World Cup that really matters to New Zealanders starts here. The Rugby World Cup will be such a fun time and we are so looking forward to hosting rugby fans from around the world, with games being played at the end of our street.

Wednesday 18 August 2010

In this business happiness happens when you least expect it. The other day some Kosher salt arrived in the mail from Annie and Michael in Boulder CO.

Then the next day the phone goes and on the other end was Tommy from Puerto Rico who heard a song on the radio that reminded him of his New Zealand trip six years ago, so who are you gonna call - The Springs in Rotorua!

How kind people are and what fun to make contact again.

Monday 02 August 2010

Just 4 more weeks before we need to be ready for season 13 - or as I like to call it - season 12A.
Murray and I have just spent a week with our daughter in Melbourne which was so much fun. Catching up on all her news and meeting up with her friends was most enjoyable.


Whilst we were there we vsited The Great European Masters exhibition at the Melbourne Museum. How humbling to be in the company of such fine works of art.

We are in for a spell of warm weather so we are on high bug alert. I am not going to let the spider mite win this rose season!

The All Blacks are playing such great rugby. So far we have beaten South Africa twice and Australia once. The return match against Australia is in Wellington this Saturday evening.Can"t wait.

Wednesday 14 July 2010

The weather here right now is like early Spring. It's so delightful it has inspired us to get in to the garden.

Half the roses have been pruned and just 16 to go! About to plant ornamental Kale for the late winter. Makes a lovely show in the car park garden.

So, congratulations to Spain for winning the World Cup. Great game and so sorry the Netherlands had to come second.

The All Blacks won against South Africa last Saturday night and there's another game this Saturday.

By the way, our NZ team The All Whites were the only unbeaten team in the Football World Cup. How about that?!

Roll on September 2011 when NZ hosts the Rugby World Cup. Fun and more fun....

12 Years Done and All Whites Unbeaten

Saturday 03 July 2010

So here we are celebrating the end of the 12th year of The Springs and what a time we have had!

Over the years we have hosted thousands of wonderful, warm people travelling our land and having great adventures, excellent food and fine NZ wine.

The Springs is now closed for our winter break and soft refurbishment. We re-open on 31 August 2010 and already our forward bookings for the next Summer season are looking very healthy.

By the way our All Whites left the World Cup unbeaten... excellent!

First Frost and The World Cup of Soccer

Wednesday 16 June 2010

Well, we awoke to the first hard frost of the season, but that was followed by a glorious sunny day.

Best of all the sports news this morning informed us the New Zealand soccer team, The All Whites, had made history by drawing their opening game of the World Cup against Slovakia. That gives us one point on the board!

I say bring on Italy Monday NZ time. Results of that encounter to follow. Watch this space!

Lambs and Snow

Thursday 27 May 2010

Aha, we now are in the grips of our first taste of Winter. Over the week there have been at least four rough weather systems bombarding New Zealand from all directions.

Last week parts of the South Island have been deluged with rain and bad flooding. Lo and behold today there have been snow falls.

The poor farmers don't know if they are coming or going. Keeping stock safe and fed is a huge task.

Here at The Springs our season is trickling down to a grinding halt, but the bookings for our next Summer season are looking so much better than this time last year.

What with Volcanic ash, the Greece European crisis and all the sundry things that follow on from those factors, it's such a good thing that we have so many loyal and strong booking companies dotted around the world supporting The Springs.

Murray and I have just booked our holiday to Melbourne for a week and we are so looking forward to being looked after. It's an even better delight when we are the pampered and not the pamaparees.

We both love what we do!

A Sad Day Made Sadder

Sunday 25 April 2010

It's ANZAC Day here in New Zealand, a day we mourn, thank and cherish those fallen in the line of duty.

On this solemn day another tragedy has occured with the loss of three RNZAF men in a helicopter crash off the coast of Wellington in low cloud.

These men were flying in formation to do a flyby at the Wellington Memorial during the commerations. Such a huge loss and condolences to their families and their Royal NZ Air Force family.

NZ Wealth and Air NZ

Wednesday 22 April 2010

Just the other day one of our guests asked what was the basis of New Zealand's wealth. They were very surprised to see so many international companies based in Auckland.

It made us stop and think and the answer is so very simple.

It all starts at the farm gate. Be it beef, lamb, deer, grapes, timber, fruit or flowers all these forms of farming are the basis of our country's wealth.

This is the way we earn export dollars and tourism is right up there doing the same. It's good to know we are pulling our weight!

Did you know there is just one airline that circumnavigates the globe? And that airline? Air New Zealand!

Tuesday 06 April 2010

There is a great sense of sadness today in Rotorua for our city has lost a very revered and respected historian.

Dr Don Stafford was 82 and was Rotorua born and bred. Don was an avid protector of the stories and history of our local Maori tribe, The Te Arawa.

It's thanks to Don that local history has been preserved and will propser.
Don wote 32 books and was the first curator of Rotorua Museum. He will be sorely missed.

Well I was just seventeen

Thursday 01 April 2010

Almost 46 years ago I was a very lucky girl and scored an exclusive interview with The Beatles.

It was a rainy Sunday afternoon in Christchurch at the end of June and what a way to pass a miserable afternoon!

Have to say I did contrive the whole event telling their road manager, Derek Taylor, that I was a reporter for the teenage pages of a national magazine.

With no credentials I managed to spend a momentous time with the Fab Four.
Could you get away with it today - I think not! What wonderful memories....

Rugby World Cup Games in Rotorua

Tuesday 30 March 2010

For most people the end of the financial year is tomorrow March 31st. Luckily for The Springs it is 30 June well after the busy tourist season.

The draw is out for the Rugby World Cup and the three games here in Rotorua are Fiji v Namibia, Samoa v Namibia and Ireland v Russia.

Here's hoping The Springs is filled with happy supporters and that the All Blacks win the Cup! Let's hope home advantage counts - again!

Saturday 27 March 2010

The Autumnal weather is so glorious. The first of the white Sasanqua camellias is out on the fenceline around the property and look delicate and perfect.

It has been a busy time over the last few weeks and Easter is already fully booked so we are looking forward to a happy house over the long holiday weekend.

Cupcakes

Friday 5th March 2010

Well, it's either a feast or a famine when it comes to my diary, but today it's a feast.
I do hope our guests enjoy these cupcakes I made for them. I think they look so cute.

Tuesday 2nd March 2010

I have been so remiss not keeping this part of our site updated.
The house is still quiet as we await the arrival of guests for breakfast so this is an ideal time to gather my thoughts.

Our Summer has been stunning here in Rotorua, but not so for some other areas of our land. As we swelter here it's hard to imagine the snow and cold on the other side of the world.

We have had such fun this season with the return of guests from around the globe. Many for their 2nd visit, but the prize goes to Eleanor and Bill who returned for their 4th 3 night stay all the way from Scotland.

Work over Winter

Wednesday 8th July 2009

So Winter has arrived and The Springs is closed again for two months.
The painters have been and this year it's the turn of Paradise Guest Room to have a complete facelift.

The new curtains are up, the bedhead has arrived and the bedcover is here. Now, it's just the bed cushions and the chair to do and all will be complete.
It's a great feeling to have everything looking great for the new season which starts in September.

Old Family News

Tuesday 28 April 2009

I have been researching our family trees and I have had great success with Murray's which I have been able to trace his Tabley family back to 1694.


With my Donovan family, it seems that, in some small way, history is repeating itself.

Here is an article I found about my grandparents' hotel in Temuka, South Canterbury.
Mr. W. J. Donovan, formerly Proprietor of the Royal Hotel, is a son of Mr. C. Donovan, an early settler in New Zealand. He was born in Kaiapoi in 1865, and was at sea for about ten years, during which he was engaged chiefly in the Australasian trade. In 1884 he took a trip to England, and on returning went to the West Australian goldfields. He, however, came back to New Zealand, and took over the Royal Hotel in 1898. He is a member of the Alexandrovna Lodge of Oddfellows, and a member of the Tuscan Lodge of Freemasons, Sydney, New South Wales. In 1898, he married Miss Dempsey, of Christchurch.

ANZAC DAY

Friday 24 April 2009

How quickly that month has gone. Easter has been and gone and tomorrow, April 25th, New Zealand and Australia commemorate the soldiers of all the wars we have been involved in.

It is known as ANZAC Day - an acronym for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps.
The first ANZAC Day was marked in 1916 and every year the day is marked by Dawn Parades in towns and cities around our lands.

It is a day of reflection and celebration. It's the bitter/sweet that is war.
The Battle of Gallipoli was the defining point when New Zealand found her identity as a nation.

We wear the red poppy or Flanders poppy. It is an international symbol of remembrance for those killed on the battlefield.

Tuesday 24th March 2009
Life is good..... the Autumnal weather is here with clear blue skies and little humidity. For me it's the perfect time of the year.


The honeymoon season has started again and we have just said goodbye to Jake and Emily from New York and we have two sets of honeymooners from Spain over the next few days.


Last month we had the pleasure of helping Mary and Ron Payne of the UK welcome the arrival of their first grandchild, little Charlie. Now they are home we have photos of the proud Granny.

Friday 13 March 2009

Well,the draw for the 2011 Rugby World Cup was released yesterday.
Rotorua is hosting 3 matches at the International Stadium which is in our street just a 20 minute walk away.

10 September: Fiji v Africa 1, Rotorua International Stadium
14 September: Oceania 1 v Africa 1, Rotorua International Stadium
25 September:Ireland v Europe 2, Rotorua International Stadium

Sunday 15 February 2009

This Summer is going by so fast and here at The Springs we have been very busy.
Rotorua has been blest with some fantastic weather, although there have been some days where it has been a bit too warm! However, we don't hear people from the UK and Europe complaining as their parts of the world are covered in snow.
It's a garden afternoon today with Murray trimming hedges and I will give the roses their second Summer prune.

Friday 02 January 2009

Welcome to the New Year and we hope 2009 will be a happy, safe and healthy year.
We are in the middle of one of the world's worst financial cycles so we wish you something that money cannot buy - the very best of health. That is priceless!

Saturday 20 December 2008

It is here....Christmas time and in New Zealand it's the holiday season for a huge number of New Zealanders.
Schools are out until February and many businesses are closed for the next 2 weeks. Legal firms re-open in mid January, but every firm has an emergency contact.
I was talking to a couple of lawyers while I had coffee this morning and they remarked their clients work right through the holiday break!
Wherever you are, no matter the weather, we wish you a safe and happy Christmas and every best wish for 2009.

Friday 12 December 2008

You are given lemons so let's make lemonade...
Out of the doom and gloom there is always some good news. For those of you deciding to go on holiday, the silver lining is, that whatever your currency, it looks great next to the New Zealand Dollar.
I have just been online to find the latest currency conversions and here, at today's date, is a list of the most commonly used currencies at The Springs.

1USD buys NZD$1.80
1GBP buys NZ$2.72
1AUD buys NZ$1.28
1EUR buys NZ$2.41
Has there ever been a better time to visit Godzone Country here in the glorious South Pacific? If you are planning a trip this way the costs have just been discounted simply by the movement of the currencies.

Tuesday 11 November 2008

What a glorious day. 22 degrees, clear blue sky and no wind.
Murray and I went to Third Place for lunch and it was magical looking out over St Faith's Church to Mokoia Island in the middle of Lake Rotorua. We watched the Lakeland Queen paddle boat berth after their luncheon cruise.

Third Place is a wonderful restaurant run by wonderful people. It is a Charitable Trust that spreads their profits to worthy causes and most of the staff volunteer and work free and gratis.
The name comes about as follows: First Place is your home and those that one lives with. The Second Place is your workplace, school or place you study. Third place is the place you go to relax, enjoy and unwind.

Sunday 09 November 2008

Today we awoke to a new government following the general election yesterday. We now have a centre to centre right party and as we all know what a huge job they have to do in the wake of the world financial crisis.
We all followed the American Election very closely and we wish Mr Obama and his new government well as they too tackle major turmoils.

Saturday 01 November 2008

Today I picked the first roses of Summer and they were just perfect. Pure white with the greenest leaves. I popped them in a vase with Lily of the Valley from my Mother's garden.

The weather is slowly warming up and the long range Summer forecast is for warmer and drier weather than usual. Let's hope they are right!

The baby Pukekos, a native bird, have arrived. With skinny black legs, huge red feet and black fluffy feathers they are so comical as they wander with their Mommas around the wetland opposite the Polynesian Spa.

Wednesday 17 September 2008

It seems I am filled with enthusiasm with the arrival of every Spring.

And what a Spring it is. Yesterday Murray and I drove out to Lake Tarawera, just 15 minutes from The Springs past the Blue and Green Lakes. As we sat in the sunshine on the Lake's edge, it was hard to imagine the catastrophe that was the erruption of Mt Tarawera in 1886 which wiped out the then world famous Pink and White Terraces.

The water gently laped while a lone fisherman and his little dog sat quietly waiting for a bite. This lake holds the best trophy trout in the region, but they swim deep and are hard to catch.

The pair of black swans and paradise ducks joined a couple of gulls looking for some free lunch.

Our beautiful town is blooming lovely at this time. Tulips and polys share colourful beds ovelooked by soaring trees of rhododendrums. Roses are in leaf and full of promise.

If you are coming to stay with us at The Springs this summer, we look forward to seeing you and if you are not, do enjoy the wonders and beauty of Rotorua and indeed, New Zealand.

Sunday 09 September 2007

Where did those last 2 months go in such a hurry? We had such a relaxing and happy break in Port Douglas, Queensland, in warm climes.
Our doors have been flung open again and already we have enjoyed our first guests of the season.
Two couples from California, a wonderful Doctor and his wife from Israel and just now an English Professor living in Wales.
Our guest rooms have now been refurbished and are looking great. The final photo shoot was done today so new images soon.

Saturday 30 June 2007

Our Winter has arrived and today is the last day of our season here at The Springs. We are now closed until 01 September 2007, but will be here to assist with any bookings and enquiries for next season.

During the next couple of months we will be completing the refurbishment of our rooms Rachel and Fairy. It's a fun time for a girl who loves to shop! Rainbow and Paradise Rooms are already done and we are very happy with the new looks.

New beds have arrived and the painters will be here next week to do their annual maintenance.

So it's time for us to recharge our batteries and we look forward to everyone who will be visiting us soon and say hello and thank you to all those whose company we shared over the last 10 months.

See you in Season 10....... Colleen and Murray