French Consular Agency Christchurch
Consular enquiries should be directed to the French Embassy in Wellington or through their web site.
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.
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.
Le Petit Hotel management & Chinese Connections
Le Petit Hotel management are regular visitors to China.
China and France are connected by substantial trade ties. The effects of the historical political concession that resulted in an area of Shanghai being administered by France are still apparent. It is well worth the time doing the research to discover how this concession and others in Shanghai came about. While the French have long departed from the concession, with very little effort , any visitor can quickly recognise the influence they left behind .
Croissants, fresh breads, brioche and small delicate cakes are evidenced in hotel breakfasts, especially those that share a European breakfast menu with standard Chinese fare.
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.
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
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.
Le Petit Hotel, St Martin
Le Petit Hotel, St Martin, is a superb – on the beach, Caribbean Hotel, on the shore of Grand Case Bay.
Le Petit Hotel-St Martin offers unique world class resort accommodation and guests enjoy easy access to the Island’s nearby renown French restaurants.
Owners, Kristin & Marc operate Le Petit Hotel together with L’Esplanade Hotel and both St Martin/ St Maarten hotels provide exceptional Trip Advisor Winning comfort & service.
Obituary: Maggie Whitfield, Le Petit Hotel
Le Petit Hotel’s well known & truly loved Scottish Terrier finally succumbed to liver cancer in the early hours of Monday 28th September 2009.
Although we had been expecting it, when the final hours came, it was truly heart wrenching stuff. As the old saying goes, she died with her boots on. I let her outside at about 2am for a little slow walk. She came back into the hotel, sat down by her water bowl for about an hour, with me beside her. About 4am I picked her up gently and made her comfortable on a rug on the floor, alerted Martine that the end was very near..and with us both beside her, after a few gasps, she gave up the fight……[ Insert: volumes of huge tears]….in her own way, her final parting gift to us…was for us not to have to call the vet.
Maggie was “huge” in spirit, determination, & courage; sensitive to all those who had the privilege of meeting her, and above all an unlimited giver to those humans she had bonded so well with. Maggie was a dignified, exceptional character, no bite dog, who took time out to smell the flowers, taste the grass, look at birds with interest, and who could always see a cat at 1000 paces. Her joy at going for walks knew no bounds until age limited her outings.
Maggie’s departure from this world has left a huge gap at Le Petit Hotel, Sumner, and irreplaceable memories with Bruce, Martine, Scott, & John. Bless her soul, Maggie was a dog apart, she lived happily with us, fought a good fight, and is at peace now.
Maggie Whitfield; a Scottish Terrier, Born 13 December 1995, Died 28 September 2009 at Le Petit Hotel, Sumner, NZ. Pedigree of Greenock Mallaig, Sire: MacPrain Mintmaster & Dam: Shortbread Briar Rose. Black with some Brindle, her breeder was Adele Willis, 97 Soleares Avenue, Christchurch, New Zealand. She will be remembered.