Blog - Vista del Sol Diary
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Visat del Sol Gardens 2011 and 2112
The gardens and Orchard have been growing well this year - the orchard is only 3 years old and we have has a great crop of Plums - stewed for breakfast and Nashi - or Ya Pear, Currently ripening are 4 variety of Apples, several variety of Pears, Tamarillo, and Fijoas. The Zukinni, cucumbers and strawberrys have been good.
2011/2012 Fishing Trips
We have had a wonderful season fishing with large catches of Snapper, gurnard, Terikihi and even several King fish
Birds at Vista del Sol over Summer 2011/12
The planting of food trees has been good for the local bird life - we had 4 baby tuis bred this year - the nest was in the pine trees behind the Spa and Mum Tui brought them into the garden for several weeks when our nectar trees were in flower over christmas - particularly the Banksia and Pohutakawa. Most of the birds disappear for 8 weeks in late summer - Feb/March (and then you will see more bellbirds that are normally chased away by the Tuis) - but they call though to check out the state of plants almost daily. I saw a young Tui hopping around on the ground checking out the flowers, and one perched on the gladioli sipping nectar.
Vista del Sol hosts South African Visitors
Vista del Sol hosted South Africans for a RWC 2011 Business Club event
Electra Business Awards
Kapiti Horowhenua Electra Business Awards 2011
Chinese Chefs from Guangzhou
On Thursday 4th August a group of 16 Chinese Chef Tutors from the Guangzhou Vocational School of Business and Tourism in Guangzhou (Canton) visited Vista del Sol to review a 5 star quality home and hosted accommodation in New Zealand. This was part of a two week tour of New Zealand hosted by the Whitireia Polytechnic Chef School. The group asked many questions, sampled examples of desserts prepared with different methods of cooking by Lynette, examined the property in detail, reviewed a breakfast setting and took many photos. Mike and Lynette also asked many questions of them which will assist Vista del Sol in preparing to host future groups of Chinese tourists. A great time was had by all and it was a thoroughly enjoyable occasion.
Fishing Trip and Dinner from Vista del Sol
Saturday was a lovely day - clear, calm conditions - as usual we had gentlemans hours and went fishing mid morning - what a great day - snapper, terikihi, 5lb blue cod, AND a Tuna - most unusual for our area and the first I have caught in our local waters. We were travelling between Peka Peka, where we caught the snapper to North End Kapiti Island and spied a fast moving school of fish with birds feeding on bait fish - we slowed, over the side went a lure and as we were approaching the school a hard fighting 5.5kg Albacore took the lure. Also seen were dolphins under the boat, and a seal - other inedible fish included baracuda, perch and small cod and terikihi
Tui's Turn up 2011
The Tui's are flying in to check the Banksia's which have their bracts forming and opening for Nectar over the Winter months. I heard the first calls at dawn from the trees yesterday, and the Tui's will around the house until February as various other trees start to bloom.
Trip advisor
Thank you to all our guests who commented on their stay at Vista Del Sol. You have contributed to Vista Del Sol now being published as No 1 of 66 B&B's in Wellington on Trip Advisor.
Dolphins off Kapiti
Mike went fishing off Te Horo, there were schools of baitfish all around and a huge pod of over 100 dolphins turned up twice. They were actively feeding, jumping out of the water and belly flopping whilst smacking the water with their tails. It was a sight I had never seen before.
