Mountains, Mishaps & Heritage

… with commentary by Toto 🐾

Friday Night Whim
It began with a spark—an impulsive decision on a chilly Friday night. Cromwell? Tomorrow morning? Why not!
🐾 Toto’s Take:
“They said ‘tiny home’ and I said ‘tiny paws, perfect match!’

First stop, Ashburton
We left early. Ashburton, once a staging post for horse-drawn coaches in the 1860s, was our first stop. While Charl ordered coffee, Toto and I lingered on the porch. He stared through the glass doors, tail wagging, eyes locked on the baristas like they owed him a biscuit.
🐾 Toto’s Take:
“I was practicing my ‘sad puppy eyes’—a technique proven to yield snacks. No luck this time. But I did sniff every tire in the parking lot. Thoroughness is key.”

Fairlie & Tekapo
Fairlie greeted us with snow on car roofs. Then came Tekapo, where soft snow blanketed the ground like powdered sugar. Toto leapt, rolled, and barked at snowflakes.
Lake Tekapo, or Takapō in Māori, means “to leave in haste at night.” Legend says two chiefs tried to flee under cover of darkness but were caught by the rising sun. The area was once a hunting ground for moa and eels, and later home to sheep rustler James Mackenzie and his brilliant dog, Friday.
🐾 Toto’s Take:
“Friday sounds like my kind of guy. Loyal, clever, and probably good at hide-and-seek. I paid tribute by digging a hole in the snow. You’re welcome, history.”

Lindis Pass & Tarras
We wound through Lindis Pass, golden and vast. In Tarras, we braved the bustling café for chai lattes. Charl gave Toto a leg-stretch, then—oops—left his chai on the roof. As we drove off, the chai took flight. Oops!
Tarras itself is steeped in history. Named by Scottish surveyor J.T. Thomson in 1857, it was once a gold rush hotspot. Māori trails once crossed these lands, and Bendigo nearby was one of New Zealand’s richest goldfields.
🐾 Toto’s Take:
“I saw the chai fly. I barked. No one listened. I mourned the loss with a dramatic sigh and a nap. Rest in peace, airborne latte.”

Cromwell
We arrived in Cromwell, where nachos at the Victoria Arms Hotel were… let’s say, historically overshadowed. The building itself dates back to the gold rush era, a time when miners flooded the region in search of fortune.
We wandered the heritage precinct, a beautifully preserved slice of the past. Dog-friendly and soul-nourishing, it let us explore old stone buildings and read stories of settlers, miners, bakers and dreamers.
🐾 Toto’s Take:
“I sniffed every corner of that precinct. I’m basically a canine historian now. Also, I peed on a fencepost from 1880. That’s called ‘marking history.’”

Grace & Rose: A Cosy Retreat in Gibbston
Tucked along the scenic Gibbston Highway, our tiny home stay at Grace & Rose was the perfect blend of style and soul. The converted container—yes, a container!—held a second living room with a quaint fireplace that warmed both the space and our spirits. Every detail felt intentional: cosy textures, modern touches, and a quiet elegance that made us feel instantly at home.
🐾 Toto’s Take:
“I approved of the fireplace. I curled up like a cinnamon bun and refused to move. 5 stars, would nap again.”