Category Archives: Anniversary Celebrations

Aphrodisiac Menu: Hotel DeBrett, Auckland

Posted on by By Vivienne DuBourdieu

DeBrett’s Valentines Day Dinner, from 6pm

View from Devonport to Rangitoto Island on the left. Photo: VDuBourdieu 2010

View from Devonport to Rangitoto Island on the left. Photo: VDuBourdieu 2010

Make it a feast to remember on Valentine’s Day at Hotel de Brett in Auckland.

You could just about fly there in time if you were to book quickly. (Check Skyscanner out for cheap flights on Cathay Pacific: currently £1090.)

Imagine sitting under a canopy of stars in Hotel de Brett’s cosy atrium, where you could enjoy five divine courses, interspersed with the top aphrodisiacal foods.

Michelle and her team have researched the top aphrodisiacs, and incorporated as many as they can into a special menu for Valentine’s Day.

Michelle Deery of Hotel DeBrett, Auckland. Photo, VDuBourdieu 2010.

Michelle Deery of Hotel DeBrett, Auckland. Photo, VDuBourdieu 2010.

At $99 a head, bookings are essential, but don’t worry, if you miss out on the big day, you can still try this enticing new menu for a few more days.

The erotically-inclined ingredients include Waikanae crab, oysters, salmon, quail eggs, avocado, duck, Angus beef, snapper, truffle and chocolate

See the whole menu here.

This delightful hotel right in the centre of Auckland city has just turned two – that’s right two years’ old – and it’s a wonderful place to stay. Full of quirky detail and designed for comfort, I can recommend a stay.

With its bright, striped carpets, luxe beds, and debonair, black-themed bathrooms, Hotel DeBrett offers a boutique experience at a price that won’t leave you weeping over your credit card in a week’s time.

Best of all, Hotel DeBrett is right in the middle of Auckland City, within 40 minutes by car of the airport, and only minutes on foot from the harbour.

Heavenly Vegetarian dish, The Kitchen, DeBrett's. Photo, VDuBourdieu 2010.

Heavenly Vegetarian dish, The Kitchen, DeBrett's. Photo, VDuBourdieu 2010.

Here, you can take off by ferry or yacht for Devonport, Birkenhead and Waikanae, or travel by yacht further afield to the many of the islands nestling in the harbour, the Hauraki Gulf and the Bay of Islands.

February events picked out by Hotel DeBrett

•    Headland Sculpture – Matiatia Wharf, Waiheke Island – to 20 Feb
•    A Hut of One’s Own – Brick Bay Sculpture Trail – to 31 Mar
•    Outrageous Fortune – The Exhibition, Auckland Museum – to 1 May
•    Beyond the Darkside – A Pink Floyd Tribute – The Civic Theatre – 12 Feb
•    Shakespeare in the Park
•    Auckland Lantern Festival – Albert Park – 18-20 Feb
•    Max Gimblett, Sumi Ink – Auckland Art Gallery – 21-22 Feb
•    Don McLean – Aotea Centre – 24 Feb
•    Neil Diamond – Vector Arena – 26 to 28 Feb
•    A Day On The Green – Crowded House  – Villa Maria Winery – 27 Feb

Every one is different: bedrooms at Hotel DeBrett, Auckland.

Every one different: bedrooms at Hotel DeBrett. Photo, VDuBourdieu 2010

Hotel DeBrett Valentine’s Day dinner

Monday 14 February from 6pm, $99 per person.
Phone: 64(0)9969 1545 or Email: kitchen@hoteldebrett.com

Thrilling Recreation of Battle of Britain, Shoreham

Posted on by By Vivienne DuBourdieu
Explosions and gunfire mark the RAFA recreation of the Battle of Britain at Shoreham yesterday

Explosions and gunfire mark the RAFA recreation of the Battle of Britain at Shoreham yesterday

It may have been a wet day yesterday – and much the same today – but there were still thrills to be had at the RAFA Show, Shoreham.

The atmosphere at the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain was quite special. There was a real sense of comradeship in the air, and it was a very good-humoured crowd.

Planes lined up before simulated dogfight, RAFA Show, Shoreham

Planes lined up before simulated dogfight, RAFA Show, Shoreham

Highlights included a scramble that gave a realistic idea of the atmosphere during the Battle of Britain with Spitfires and Hurricanes in simulated dogfights with a Messerschmitt.

On the ground there were extensive static displays, including a BAE Systems Harrier GR9 from 41(R) Squadron, doing its stuff on the ground and in the sky overhead.

Vintage RAC motorbike, RAFA Show, Shoreham

Vintage RAC motorbike, RAFA Show, Shoreham

There were also vintage gliders, classic cars, a fun fair, a marevellous old flying boat, still in operation: the PBY-5A Catalina, simulator rides and children’s entertainment is available as well.

Shoreham Airport is the UK’s oldest commercial airport, and came into its own earlier this year when companies like Aero Alliance flew people back and forth from Europe in their safe, propellor buoyed craft when the Icelandic volcano was at its worst.

View from Catalina of crowds queuing to get on board the troop 'copter at RAFA Show, Shoreham

View from Catalina of crowds queuing to get on board the troop 'copter at RAFA Show, Shoreham

Because of the weather, there was a rare chance to meet and mingle with pilots on the ground, many in vintage “Dad’s Army” gear and WWII flying gear.

You could also find out what a troop ‘copter is like for yourself, and see over the marvellous old PBY-5A Catalina, piloted by Captain John Warman.

Captain John Warman, pilot of PBY-5A Catalina, normally based at Duxford Airfield

Captain John Warman, pilot of PBY-5A Catalina, normally based at Duxford Airfiel

Captain Warman gave the thousands at the show yesterday a close look at this graceful old bird in the air.

It might be noted, the Catalina was the first craft I flew in as a small child, and I spent most of that trip trying to get out the window. But what a great view there is from the glass bubble in the fuselage.

And if you want to get above the action, consider a picturesque flight along the Sussex coastline with Aero Alliance. They take up seven passengers at a time in flights from Shoreham airport in their Piper Chieftain for £260.

Dan, a pilot with Aero Alliance, based at Seaford

Dan, a pilot with Aero Alliance, based at Seaford