It was only a few weeks after we had met that I drove from my place in Brooklyn along the South Coast to his place in Lyall Bay. To drop him home in time for football. We were both a bit giddy and knackered after a night of getting to know each other a little better. He said it was a shame we didn’t have more time as we could go to Maranui for breakfast. That’s when I found out the unassuming surf club building was actually a café. Over the next few months, Maranui became our regular haunt, for late Sunday brunch, hot chocolate on a winters afternoon and milkshakes in summer. The Divine Ms G and I went there a few times for tea and strawberry muffins. A loud, colourful boisterous place, there was old surfy memorabilia on the walls and everyone who worked there had a lot of fun. The coffee was spectacular. But it was the view that took away your breath. Right on the coast, it was absolutely the best spot to watch plane’s try to land at the airport in a screaming southerly, on a good day, you could see the Southern Alps.
Maranui was where we had our last supper together, the day before I came back.
On Saturday night it was destroyed by fire.
If you’ve ever been walking along Lyall Bay
In the bright shining sun on a hot summer’s day
Or could a storm be brewing and blowing a gale
Your poor teeth chattering and skin turned pale
There’s now a place you can head for a cuppa
For tasty snacks and freshly cooked tucka
Old Maranui now has a cafe inside
Her bright red doors are opened up wide
Seven days a week our life savers make
A sumptuous selection of Wellington’s finest cake
There is no question we are certain to say
The Maranui Cafe makes the best coffee in the bay
And served to you by Matt and his team
Of friendly surf staff and baristas supreme
So put on your shoes or jump on your bike
And be sure to bring along someone you like
We always like to see somebody new
And don’t forget to sign the member’s book too
Comments
I love your poetic tribute to Maranui. I live close by and the whole community has been deeply saddened. Everyone is clubbing together in support of the club, cafe and staff – Cafe L’affare opened on a Sunday and donated all it’s proceeds to the club and cafe – over NZ$20,000!
I drove past today and they are already starting restoration work and hope to reopen before Christmas, but sadly the club lost a lot of historic treasures which can of course never be replaced.
The one positive is no one was hurt and the incident has really highlighted the incredible cafe community spirit in Wellington.
Best wishes, Sarah
What a nice piece of writing! So romantic and nostalgic — but sorry you lost your favorite spot. Wish I had a place like that.
When I was back home last week I went to re-visit a favorite place nearby. It was gone.
I asked a few people what happened. Did they move? Did they close?
No one knew. I couldn’t find a listing for it. Now it’s all just in my head.
Sorry you lost a ‘happy spot’. There just aren’t enough OF them.
I read the fire though I’ve never eaten there. It’s sad when we lose a place with history.
Oh darling, I’m so sorry. It’s almost like losing an old friend, isn’t it? It will always be part of the History of You, though – treasure those happy memories.
oh man, that is terribly sad. As I was reading that I thought about my favorite spot in California and then I got to the end :(
At least you got some good memories though