Earthsong Celebrates Best Ever Olive Harvest

“How are we going to pick them all?” I asked Trevor early on April Fool’s Day

In ancient Greece they knew what they were doing and used slaves but at Earthsong there were plenty of friends keen to volunteer for the olive harvest of 2010.

The long summer of sun and gentle sea breezes had worked its magic in the Earthsong olive grove. The result produced long drooping branches laden with ripening olives. All we had to do was pluck these fat oil-laden fruits from the 80 olive trees clinging to a sun-scorched hillside in Tryphena.

The Albany Olive Oil Press required 90 kilograms for their traditional hydraulic stone press and so on a glorious morning early this April we donned hats and strapped on buckets and set to the task of relieving the Earthsong olive grove of its bounty.

2 days produced skilled olive pickers and yielded the awesome sight of 120 kilograms of ripe olives all handpicked and with a short scenic flight to Dairy Flat our precious crop was whisked away to be pressed. Aching muscles were soothed and thirsts quenched as glasses of wine and beer assisted the sun towards the horizon and we waxed lyrically on the many qualities of living on this untamed island where nature allows such miracles.

The two harvests yielded 25 litres of green-gold olive oil of an exceptional quality that has impressed the folk at the olive press - “the best olive oil they have seen yet”. “We are thrilled” said Carol Rendle, co-owner of the Earthsong olive grove “and humbled by the rewarding crop nature has bestowed on us this year and we are excited and very proud of our olive oil. Our vision now is for Great Barrier Island to develop its own olive oil co-operative with an olive press right here.”

GREAT BARRIER ISLAND THIRD ANNUAL
SPECTACULAR BY NATURE GARDEN TOUR
27 NOVEMBER 2010

This Great Barrier Island Garden Tour is a unique opportunity to visit a variety of rural and residential gardens on Great Barrier Island. From the spectacular to the quirky this guided tour will enable you to visit charming cottage gardens, to see breathtaking coastal panoramas and experience hidden native flora and birdlife.Tours available are as follow:

Tour Nikau

Good basic fitness only required and will involve walking some distances but on relatively flat terrain. Six gardens included in this tour ranging from charming cottages to sweeping coastal panoramas. Geographically involves central and southern Great Barrier Island.

Tour Rewa

Moderate fitness level required, need to be able to walk up hills/multiple stairs with ease.  Six gardens included in this tour ranging from charming cottages to sweeping coastal panoramas. Geographically involves central and southern Gt Barrier Island.

There are limited seats on these two tours.  The cost of these tours is NZ$65 pp.  To secure your tickets, payment must be made at the time of booking.

GETTING TO GREAT BARRIER ISLAND

GREAT BARRIER AIRLINES (Special airfare for the Garden Tour only)
NZ $146 Per person return from either Auckland Domestic Airport or Dairy Flat North Shore. Flights depart 7.45am 10.15am 4pm and 6pm

PLEASE NOTE:          All bookings for flights are done through Carol Rendle Ph +64 9 4290030  or email carol@earthsong.co.nznz

SEALINK FERRY SERVICE (Special pricing for the Garden Tour only)
Adults           NZ$96 each return

Seniors         NZ$76.80 ea return (over 60 yrs)

CONDITIONS:

Fares are only available to those persons travelling to Great Barrier Island for the Garden Tour.  Travel must be commenced and completed between Thursday 25 November and Thursday 2 December.  Sealink's standard terms and conditions of travel will apply. 

All bookings for travelling on SEALINK along with accommodation at Earthsong Lodge are done through Carol ph 09 4290030 or email carol@earthsong.co.nz

TRANSPORT ON ISLAND

This year a bus transfer service from Tryphena will be available to and from the

Health Centre - $7 one way and $10 return.  The nearest pick-up point and time will be advised when your accommodation has been organized.  Or if you wish to hire a car for the weekend contact www.gbirentacar.co.nz

Garden Tour Special Weekend Hot Deal at Earthsong Lodge

INCLUSIONS:

Courtesy transfers between the island Airport/Ferry Terminal and Earthsong Lodge
Complimentary early check-in and stay 3 days and 2 nights in an Ocean View Suite
Sumptuous country-style breakfasts each morning
One complimentary unforgettable candlelit fine dining evening meal each and pre-dinner cocktails

CONDITIONS:

NZ$745 per Adult for 2 night stay in Ocean View Suite double/twin basis

Additional nights from NZ$375 per Adult

Offer available 26 - 27 November 2010 and subject to availability at time of booking
GST inclusive

Earthsong Guests Welcome the New Year 2010

From Stockholm, from California, and from New Zealand they met at Earthsong, and by sundown
they were friends.

Annette and John said "A perfect finale to our holiday. Fabulous food, wine & excellent
company. You both make Earthsong a privilege to cherish".

"We didn't know what we would find at Earthsong" wrote Lars, "everything was perfect, we
love this place and everybody we have met here."