Pinus pinea; Italian Stone Pine trees common to France & Italy

Please be aware that Le Petit Hotel, Sumner, NZ is now closed. This update is simply a reflection on the demise of two maturing French/Italian Stone Pine trees that Martine & Bruce planted to reflect the French nature of their hotel.

Travellers arriving at Le Petit Hotel prior to COVID 19 , would have noticed the distinctive juvenile pine trees – Pinus Pinea, gracing the street frontage. Our original news item copied below, published on the 4th Nov. 2010, explained their heritage. 11 years on now, while still in their formative state, their umbrella type canopy was just beginning to take shape. but as reflected upon via my post script below, they are no more.

4/11/2010 – “Martine & myself recently had some R & R in France during September…one of the best months in respect of the French climate. Some of the time was spent near Plan du la Tour near the Med. coast, http://lepetithotel.wordpress.com/2010/09/11/chasteuil-to-plan-de-la-tour/
and we couldn’t help noticing a tree with an attractive green umbrella like top…commonly called in France – the Parasol Pine…its botanical name being Pinus pinea. Clearly this was one tree which could survive not only the hot dry Mediterranean seaside environment but also the cold winter winds. For some time now here at Le Petit Hotel, we have been pondering what species of tree we could plant safely in our own Sumner location where the climate varies from hot summer winds, salt laden sea air, to our cooler winter temperatures. So it has been a surprise, in the last few days to locate a source of these Pinus specimens here in NZ at a nursery in New Plymouth : http://www.conifers.co.nz/
Needless to say, we are looking forward to trying the species in our own unique NZ climate.
It’s interesting to note that the Pinus Pinea species is the one that produces genuine edible pine nuts, the tree and its nuts having a history of more than 6000 years at least.” Pine nuts are variously described as the most expensive dried fruit in the world.

Reflection time. Post Script: Sadly ..we have to report that the new owners of the building previously known as Le Petit Hotel, Sumner, NZ, saw no value in the two Pinus Pinea specimen trees ( known in NZ as Stone Pines) which had both matured sufficiently to begin producing numerous pine cones complete with the edible pine nuts. Both trees succumbed to the kiwi chainsaw disease. It is sort of ironical but possibly attributable to the immaturity of NZ as a colonial society, but to Europeans in general, trees have appreciable value and in both France, Italy and Spain people go to extraordinary lengths to keep trees alive, and indeed shift them around Europe to owners who place a high value them. The same treasure of trees is recognised in China, where not only do they cultivate huge mature tree nurseries, but they also have the skill and dedication to shift and or transplant such trees around their country.

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27/12/201827/12/2018

The New Year: 2019, Le Petit Hotel’s approach.

We are all talking about how fast 2018 has disappeared, and how quickly the New Year is appearing, and in the mix has been the discussions on December’s changeable at best, weather.

Certainly some of those farmers growing grain crops are probably very happy and looking forward to a hot & dry January February period now…the rain would have done its magic. There may be thousands of cows out in the paddocks now, but when at least my ancestors arrived, they seized the moment, and worked 6 days on farms that were predominantly grain producing…particularly in North, South and Mid Canterbury. Yes there were cow farms, but not on the scale we see now, owned by conglomerates. It was also saddening to read a few days ago in the Washington Post that many dairy farmers in the US are essentially being driven off their land by the concentration of and buy-outs of small farm holdings, so what appears to be a global movement, is affecting many many ordinary , you could say middle income people…not necessarily for the common good, but rather for an increasingly smaller group of already wealthy people. What does the reported Chinese proverb say…”May you live in interesting times” ..maybe not the best times! Certainly none of us can accurately anticipate what the New Year will bring in terms of ever increasing changes in society, industry and science.

If you are reading this post, you may have noticed our very new mobile/smart phone/tablet compatible format, which we hope meets both Google’s business system requirements and at the same time makes it easy for travellers to seek us out. Early indications just over a handful of days, suggests that our improved web presence is both productive and a welcome one. I believe that Google has indicated that more than 60% of Web searches at least initiated on small hand held devices now.

Many of our guests will be familiar with the Le Petit Hotel formula and part of that, a very important part, is the presence of our beloved Scottish Terrier. We have our serious concerns at the moment about her health and we are pouring in the TLC at the moment….however again from a global perspective, the genetic pool for genuine Scottish Terriers is quite depleted, and worldwide many do not live to grand ages, because of their predisposition to the big C. Rest assured we are giving her our very best .

The period between Xmas and the New Year is a strange one from many aspects..and in particular for “Kiwis”,who like birds of a feather, migrate to other parts of the country trying to catch the long hot Sumner in the right place at the right time. So its appropriate that we should at this point wish every one, including our incoming and departing guests a very happy, safe and even prosperous, New Year.

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28/10/201804/07/2019

Good Vibes within Le Petit Hotel Sumner Christchurch

Good Vibes

We see a large proportion of international guests choosing to stay with us; from Antarctica staff on leave, to very interesting travellers from Norway, Russia, Latvia, & Estonia, to name just a few far distant countries.

And so it was that a few days ago, a couple who spent 2 nights with us as guests, gave us a quick review on-line with 10/10 plus the comment that the place had good vibes. That was a new one for Martine & myself, but we would be the first to acknowledge that there is good karma within the walls of Le Petit Hotel, and our current Scottie dog Kara and her predecessor Maggie , are in part responsible for setting the hospitality standard.

Good Vibes Kara — Just quiet surveillance in the long grass at Ferrymead Park.

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29/08/201817/04/2019

Menu, Gluten free & or Dairy free breakfast option

Menu option for travellers who endure food sensitivities ( sometime serious) arising from certain ingredients which typically requires them to have gluten free and or dairy free breakfasts.

Le Petit Hotel management are more than happy to make adjustments to the continental fruit /cereal etc plus croissant breakfast to meet these requirements. Simply add your request to your accommodation booking notice.

Being a genuine French Bed & Breakfast, our renown fresh baked croissants are always available each morning, along with genuine french plunger coffee, hot chocolate, or a variety of teas, together with fresh fruit and yogurt. Recently, …made in France – French Brioche has been added to the petit déjeuner.

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18/07/201827/12/2018

Le Petit Hotel Accommodation, Boutique French Style

Le Petit Hotel, 16 Marriner Street, Sumner, Christchurch — Le Petit Hotel open 24 hours

Le Petit Hotel accommodation provides boutique French B & B lodgings for all travellers, both domestic and international. The property is located by the beach in Sumner; the premier seaside suburb of Christchurch.

Unlike most AirBnB properties, managers – Martine and Bruce are on-site 24/7 and are focused on providing genuine hospitality to all guests. However the privacy of individuals is very much respected when required . Both short & long stay guests are most welcome at Le Petit Hotel’s unique retreat from the city bustle.

The daily room rate includes a served French breakfast and the hotel has free high speed data/WiFi services throughout the complex. The en-suite accommodation rooms are most suitable for 2 adults.

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16/01/201128/08/2018

Le Petit Futé Nouvelle-Zélande

Le Petit Futé est un voyage Guide de tourisme et de Nouvelle-Zélande – Bons Plans, visites, conseils et practical information. Le Petit Hôtel Sumner fournir un hébergement B & B en français langue voyageurs, et est également l’emplacement consulaire française à Christchurch.

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01/01/2011

Look at me now : The continuing story of Kara the Scottie

Hi there all Scottie lovers…It’s almost 15 months since I left behind my friends at Juscot Kennels in Hamilton, and I’ve had my 1st birthday at Le Petit Hotel. Despite having inherited a twisted right hind leg, I’m doing my utmost to be part of the hotel day to day operations…answering the door, checking the guests in, plus security duties, so much so that several of Bruce & Martine’s guests have suggested that I climb into one of their suitcases & go home with them… Unlike many of my 4 legged relatives, I have developed my own vocabulary for use in the hotel..eg. when I want to go outside, I don’t bark, but I do a bit of a quiet sing song. I’m also quite good at singing along with the piano!
Sometime in the next few months, I’m going into hospital to get a CT scan done on my crooked leg, to see what can possibly be done to help me…but I’m a good patient, so it won’t be a problem.
My shiny black coat at the moment makes me a difficult camera subject, but attached here is a recent photo taken on Christmas day with one of my presents.
Until my next post…yours truly
Kara

Kara, Dec 25, 2010 — Kara, Christmas morning 2010

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30/12/2010

Friends of Le Petit Hotel

At the Marriner street frontage of Le Petit Hotel, Martine has some Lavender of the ‘Grosso’ variety growing. This particular lavender is a (heavy oil bearing) hybrid between Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia.
At this time of the year, the brilliant purple/blue flowers of the lavender draw hundreds of friendly bumble bees, small youngsters and large adults, who climb up & down each flower head, while probing into each tiny separate flower. Unlike honey bees…bumble bees eg. Bombus Terrestris are not normally aggressive & can be easily watched closeup, especially if they have become intoxicated with flower fragrance or just tired with hard work. The larger queens often find their way indoors accidentally as they seek a place to make a home.

Bombus terrestris — Le Petit Hotel friends

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29/12/2010

Le Petit Hotel, Sumner

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04/08/2010

Anatole France Quotation; Le Petit Hotel; & Bobby calves ill treatment

In a previous blog post I made mention of a French writer’s quote regarding dogs and humans. That writer was none other than Anatole France ( 1844-1924). Anatole received the Nobel prize for literature back in 1921 and the true quote was: “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened” And so it is we read now about the ill treatment of bobby calves on our NZ dairy farms, as their owner operators strive to produce higher and higher profits from ever increasing dairy herds. It was Mahatma Gandhi who wrote: “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” Without being too simplistic, isn’t it greed for money that has become more of the main driver in terms of how we farm our animals such as sheep, pigs, hens & now cows and their calves?

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