Off adventuring last week, and in a usual fashion, for me, pointed the car in the loosely planned direction and set off. I had been to the Wairarapa region before, but it was a while ago, and was looking forward to exploring. Featherston, for example, has seven bookshops!
Anyhoo, I am on the road, and was keen to stop as and when inspired, but noticed that stopping did not seem to be a thing that day! I could tell it wasn’t the old A-B thing in the fastest time possible, but wasn’t quite sure what else was at play.
I finally stopped in Carterton.
I parked up and went to the first cafe. I had just missed the time for eating-in, and there wasn’t much savoury left in the counter, so I left.
I walked down the high street and came across a couple of places, but they were empty, and I fancied a bit of noise/connection, so carried on. I found Aunt Ginger’s.
What a delight!
Think vintage and a beautiful display of cakes and yummies.
Cheese scone and a pot of tea ordered and consumed, while I was having a bit of a look at accommodation. Nothing was particularly inspiring and I decided to carry on driving and see what came up.
As I went to leave the woman who I had been singing along to the Rolling Stones with asked “is that book good?” I said I had only just started it, but shared what I was taking from it already and sat back down again. Well the conversation took off!
We were swapping tales and ideas and dreams. The cafe staff were very patient and were clearing up and sweeping up around us – AND – bought a takeaway bag of cakes for each of us!
I am not sure if I have ever had a ‘pinch me is this real moment’ but I really had to double check with where the conversation was about to head!
My new friend doubled back on something that came up in conversation and that was my lack of accommodation so far for that night or the weekend.
She shared that her and her sister had set up a ‘project‘ and would love me to be their first person and give them feedback!
And just like that I had beautiful accommodation booked for the weekend (and birthday cake)!
We went to her car and she gave me the keys, and then there was that awkward moment after such a deep dive conversation I had to ask her her name!
Laura then went to get some lightbulbs for me to take out there, and when we met up again at the supermarket car park, she said are you a coffee drinker, and I said “ah no, I stick with tea”.
”Great,” she said producing a teapot from her bag as well!
And that was it, off I went with the key and the address to the most beautiful tiny home, with stunning views and the only thing I could hear was the birdsong and the lambs.
Is there a correlation between the steps I am taking to have an open heart and the magic happening? I think so!
Alongside,
Liz
PS Looking forward to sharing some ripple effects of this magical weekend soon!
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