Nearly three years ago Our Homes TODAY interviewed a Howick couple, who had left Auckland in search of a better life in the Hawkes Bay. Now, well into 2008, we thought it was timely to discover whether the move south had been a positive one or whether Janet and Mike Hudson had come to their senses and discovered that Auckland really is the best and only place in New Zealand to live.

Alas, it seems the latter scenario doesn’t sum up this situation at all. Both Janet and Mike say they can’t imagine living in Auckland again and they’ve taken to life in the Bay like grapes relishing the summer sun. 

Their aim was to find a more relaxing and fulfilling lifestyle. While we wouldn’t want our friends to have hated the experience, there is, perhaps, a little bit in some of us Aucklanders that wishes those who turned their backs on their mates and taken off to other parts might eventually have to admit they’d made a mistake. Wishful thinking! After our visit, I can’t imagine any such admission from this pair.

Their dreams (yes – they had more than one), were to own a Bed & Breakfast incorporating their love of Art Deco, and become involved with a winery, perhaps one day buying their own. Basically, these dreams have borne fruit and they’re pretty much doing what they had in mind when they headed south.

However, it wasn’t all roses in Wine Country, initially. Their first real estate venture didn’t quite pan out but the second, the purchase of a property on the outskirts of town, which was ideal for Bed & Breakfasts, was the catalyst that allowed their dreams to mature.   

Today, they’re so busy with the B&B called Our Place that they haven’t had to advertise. Put another way, they haven’t even had time to put Our Place on the internet. Perhaps they won’t have to. Word of mouth is working just fine.

<!--page--> Mike is also a vineyard manager at one of the region’s larger wine companies. The couple has even made two of their own merlot vintages. I believe the first one was acceptable but the second, the one we sampled, was a little yeasty.

Luckily they had other vinous options on hand for us to enjoy.

The day we visited, one of their vintage cars was out on assignment – transporting a bridal party to a salubrious Havelock North restaurant. We learned that Janet was enjoying her job and the pair both marvel at how little time it takes to travel anywhere by car. In summary, I think they’re doing just fine without us.

When asked for any negatives about their southern life, they said they had been so busy since moving into Our Place that there had been no time to kick back and enjoy it themselves. 

“We’ve had that many visitors coming to experience the delights of the Bay, that it keeps us on our toes,” Janet said.

I didn’t interpret this as a complaint; however, rather it could be another positive. 

What did sound like a genuine downside of living in the Bay – that the wheels of commerce turn more slowly than in Auckland – could also be interpreted as another plus.  After all, many shift there to experience the slower pace. Maybe Janet and Mike haven’t had a chance to slow down yet, but if these are the only negatives, that’s pretty good, isn’t it?

In summary, I think we’ve lost the Hudsons. But we can’t have everyone following their dreams into the sunset. Some of us have to stay behind. After all, someone has to clog the motorways.