Our Senior Resident Concierge Charlotte Horan recounts one of her recent adventures with The Helier residents
For many of us, the thought of Italy and France recalls charming villages, delicious food, fine wine, and the wonderful aromas that bring these beautiful countries to life. For me, France will always be synonymous with the scent of lavender.
As I was planning our January schedule, I thought about our residents—some who may no longer be able to travel by plane and others who have simply done enough flying to last a lifetime! How could I bring a touch of a European summer to them? A trip to the organic lavender farm in Karaka came to mind.
With our trusty Helier Van (I’m still waiting on the champagne cup holders and red carpet, but we make do!), we set off on the 45-minute drive along the motorway. I, for one, love being driven—though I can never quite resist directing the driver on the best route! As we turned off State Highway 1, we discovered a new part of Karaka, with developments springing up everywhere, before arriving at the peaceful oasis of the CCT Lavender Farm.
Blooming Memories with The Helier Resident Owen, Jan & Senior Resident Concierge Charlotte .
A large, welcoming building housed a lovely café, and a short walk led us to the ticket booth—guarded fiercely by a fluffy 'security officer' who purred on demand. We may have been about two weeks late for the peak bloom, as the lavender had just started to brown off, but the fragrance was still divine. Strolling through the lavender rows, we took in the views and enjoyed a peaceful wait for the small train that would take us to the picking area
With our tickets, we each had the chance to pick a generous bunch of lavender, which would later be distilled into essential oil. As we rode the little train through endless rows of lavender, we marvelled at the sheer scale of it all.
Mindful of the buzzing bees (yes, I checked for allergies in advance!), I came prepared with insect repellent (Pure Fiji is my go-to), sunscreen, water, and—most importantly—chocolate, in case anyone needed an energy boost while picking. With our arms full of freshly cut lavender, we hopped back on the train to have our bunches turned into oil while we enjoyed a leisurely lunch at the café.
Lunch was delightful, and the coffee was particularly good. The time flew by, and as we headed back to The Helier, each resident found a small lavender sachet waiting on their seat—a little keepsake from our day at the farm. The trip was a resounding success, and the comment I heard most was that it can be hard to think of new places to visit or new experiences to try. One couple even said they would never have made the trip to Karaka if The Helier hadn’t organised it.
It’s never too late to explore new places, try new things, and create new memories. Let this be the first of many more adventures in The Helier Van!
A little side note: Upon returning, I used the lavender I had picked to make sachets with our residents in care. One of our lovely residents even made enough for every resident in care to receive a special lavender bag—another reminder that simple joys, shared with others, create the most meaningful moments.