The Honey Shop

The Quilt Cottage with its extensive array of fabrics and accessories for quilters and patchworkers. With loads of example quilts on display – all the work of owner Judi’s mother – there was plenty to inspire those with a gift for craft work. And this dear little shop also wooed me with its homemade fudge – shoppers with a sweet tooth should tuck a bag or two into their carry-alls. A few metres down the road I turned into…..

Silver & Some, one of the most gorgeous jewellery shops I have encountered. Some years ago I bought from this same shop a silver, onyx and mother of pearl pendant on a silver collar. On this trip, I didn’t waste a minute finding another lovely piece for the jewellery box. A pretty pink mother of pearl triple pendant perfectly complements a new black shirt shot with pink. However, whether you love amethysts or amber, turquoise or coral, dainty designs or a bold medieval effects, this superb shop has a multitude to chose from and all at unbelievably reasonable prices. It really was hard to walk away from here but just next door was the….

The Teddy Bear Maker and all her lovely teddy bears. I’ve always been a real pushover when it comes to the cute and cuddly and just loved this special shop’s amazing display of traditional and contemporary bruins including heirloom quality bears designed to pass from one generation to the next. Owner, Heather Belle is the clever seamstress who makes the heirloom bears and on this occasion I discussed taking in two furs, which had once belonged to my mother. Heather is going to make twin bears from the furs, which have sentimental value but little other use. I could have spent hours admiring teddy wares but hunger pangs called so we whipped across the road to…..

Cabbage Tree Café where both the food and the character surroundings appealed enormously. Owners Bruce and Jennie Thomas had innovatively created café tables from old school desks all freshly stained with lift-up lids – a real talking point. And so was the food – wholesome slices of quiche, frittata and pie served with salad and topped with delicious dressings. I opted for bacon and vegetable frittata while my colleague devoured a giant-size portion of homemade pizza with a delicious side salad, yummy, yummy. Feeling well satisfied we headed for……

The Clock Peddler, a one-stop shop for magnificent grandfather and grandmother models, intricate German cuckoo clocks, dainty carriage clocks, wall clocks and mantle clocks. Though not in the market for one myself I have me eye on a kauri model as a gift for family coming from Finland. Also, I could think of a number of local homes where the luxury clocks from this lovely shop would make a stunning addition. Definitely a destination shop for serious clock buyers, I’m sure some customers will find themselves confronted by clocks that arouse many a childhood memory. That ended Day One but the next day I started out at…

Antiques @ Tirau where my passion for china was inflamed even more than usual. I have collected china since I first started work with early pieces being mostly purchased by ‘Lay-By’, a popular way to buy when I was young. I’ve always said I could live in a china shop but I’ve revised my thinking. I would be much more at home settling in at Antiques @ Tirau, which has the most diverse range of collectable china I’ve ever seen. Lladro, Doulton, Wade, Aynsley, Royal Worcester, Moorecroft – whatever your fancy, it’s bound to be there (see the exquisite loving cup pictured). Moreover this shop is an Aladdin’s cave of art deco and retro pieces from the past 50 years, so it’s easy to keep turning up more exciting treasures such as gorgeous lights fittings in all shapes and sizes. I didn’t need dragging in but I sure needed dragging out. Then I came across…

Ranchware a superb specialist shop for stockman and western saddle gear. Totally different from anything associated with traditional English riding, this shop is well worth visiting even if you have never sat on a horse. Country and western fans will love the range of hats, boots, clothing and accessories whereas those serious about western riding will find a complete range of tack from bits to spurs. Of course, there is much more including gifts and home décor items such as whole cowhides for the wall or floor. New owner Gary Sanders is in the process of extending even further the range of items and is proud that Ranchware employs a full time craftsman saddler to make and repair stock and western gear. I really enjoyed poking around this intriguing store which was a 100 miles away from my daughter’s pony club days but nevertheless made me feel quite nostalgic so before I found myself buying something else I wandered on to…  

The Naked Art Gallery. The art studio of Heather Leonard was warm and welcoming. I could really identify with her bold use of colour and her specialty subject – the human form. Although primarily exhibiting her own paintings, Heather has also included work by other artists and has made figurines an integral part of the gallery’s content. I loved the many Rubinesque-like subjects, which showed the female form in its many different shapes and sizes. Visitors can also see Heather at work and discuss their personal art requirements with her. From there I made my way to….

Home Sweet Home where I certainly felt right at home amongst an eclectic range of goodies for every room of the house and garden too. I’ve never quite seen the likes of a shop like this before – it was packed to the gunnels. In fact, it would take hours to do this shop justice although within minutes I had bought some hobby glasses with funky black and white polka dot frames – perfect for seeing the tiny print on real estate adverts and for scouring the telephone book. Actually, I just thought they would look fantastic with my predominantly black wardrobe and needed an excuse to buy them! However, I needed no excuse to walk to the rear of the shop for a bite at….

Alley Cat Café. Adjoining Home Sweet Home, the rustic ambience of this lovely café with its brick walls, cosy enclosed courtyard and roaring fire endeared itself to me. Hearty country food, good coffee and friendly service all made an impression as did the mushroom and chicken pie which was so tasty I had to remind myself not to gobble. The nice thing about this café is that you can eat and shop next door all in one hit. On our final day in Tirau I first checked out…

The Dressing Room a city smart women’s clothing shop with leading labels for women who like to steer clear of look-alikes and replicas. Offering a great mix of trend-setting designs covering leisure, corporate and special occasion wear there is everything from the funky to the fabulous. I soon found myself making excuses as to why my wardrobe needed a few additions although being well-rounded I could not help but envy the tall, willowy customer who looked a picture in knee-length coat of rich purple velvet with ruched hem – magnificent. Fashion-conscious shoppers should stop here but those keen to dress the home should make their way to….

Flecks where once again there is a fine array of furniture, gifts, collectables and home décor accessories. With the zap of my EFTPOS card I had bought a beautiful piece glassware with a New Zealand theme to send overseas and I picked up some early Christmas gifts too. I found the prices at Flecks to be especially reasonable  – for instance, the glassware I bought was approximately $25 cheaper than in Auckland – I was ecstatic.  While Fleck’s enjoys a main road address, access is from a pretty side courtyard where I also found…

Octane, a predominantly male domain but women will love it too. That’s because they can just drop off the sons and husbands while they explore elsewhere. With its fascinating collection of automobile memorabilia, die cast collectables and airguns, Octane will keep enthusiasts mesmerised for hours. This super-duper little shop, where owner Ian Peppercorn really knows his products, is also a paintball and airsoft specialist designed to keep the adrenalin pumping. As for me I was tempted by the model mini-minor with opening doors, boot and bonnet. Even the windows went up and down – guys get your skates on and you should also visit…

Tirau Musuem specialising in everything imaginable to do with early New Zealand. The lifetime passion of Geoff Ernst, this privately owned museum is a rabbit warren of displays….you name it he’s got it. For example you’ll find bottles, coins and tobacco tins, military items, cars and motorbikes, greenstones adzes and colonial muskets, cure-alls and toothpaste jars to name not just a few but a miniscule part of a collector’s heaven or perhaps a collector’s nightmare. I’ll say no more except watch this space for more on Tirau Museum just three kilometres out of town and worth its weight in gold. Back in town, you would do well to enjoy an evening meal at…

Oxford Landing where Dutch-born owner Connie is renowned for her classic, home-style meals in a very pretty setting. Colonial-style Oxford Landing incorporates both a café and a separate licensed restaurant, the latter being attractively appointed and ideal for gatherings of any description. Located right in the heart of Main Street, Oxford Landing caters for lunches and dinner so if you are staying in town or passing through in the evening when most shops are closed, there is nearly always a delicious meal to be had.

Okoroire Hot Springs Hotel. Finally should you wish to spend a day or two in the area don’t overlook historic Okoroire Hot Springs Hotel just minutes out of town. Soak in the hot springs, enjoy an on-site round of golf  or a game of tennis and step back in time to a bygone era. Beautifully appointed and with rooms to suit most budgets, it’s a winner just like Tirau.