WHANGAREI MARITIME FESTIVAL

Whangarei Harbour is used by Mariners from all over the world to overwinter, shelter from hurricanes and have maintenance done.  A group of them formed The Black Ball Yacht Club and they organize the Maritime Festival.  This is its second year but the first time we have attended.

 

                                                      The R. Tucker Thompson is a training ship

 Below one of several small steam boats is sailing past with passengers

An excellent group singing sea shanties

Some of the crowds

There were a lot of dogs all on leads and very well behaved

A former Auckland Pilot boat

Some more small steam ships

SATURDAY

The first weekend since the clocks went forward for daylight savings and I overslept so we didn't get to the Growers' Market until just after 7.30 a.m. only to find that all the tomatoes had sold.  I was able to get some good plants though. A punnet of beans, a couple of tomatoes, a couple of cucumber and some spring onions.  The plants are very reasonable and good quality so I am growing less from seed. 

On leaving the Market we pass the Library so I went to drop off a book that is due and noticed this bike with the wisteria growing in its basket.   I couldn't resist taking a photo to share.

Have a good weekend.

WATERING CAN

Well more of a cross between a bucket and watering can.

Recently, I read about the Hachiman Japanese made designer watering cans and ordered one last week.  I was pleased with the overnight delivery (from Auckland) and am very pleased with the can itself. I got the large size which is only 5 litres but so well designed.  It feels quite sturdy and is easy to fill. There is no rose to block up and it pours well along the grooves.

We have a worm farm and I also make weed tea and a sieve fits in the top perfectly to strain both of these .

 It could perhaps be a bit larger but I am thrilled with it.

SPRING FLOWERS

A few flowers from our Spring garden.  Everything was so dry when I took these yesterday but the promised rain has just started thank goodness.  There is also Echium Cottage Charm and Borage that has self sown throughout the garden.

The N.S.W. Waratah has got a bit too tall for photos but I have some in a vase.

A.H.Reed Park

 Yesterday, we were lucky with the weather once again and did the walk through A.H. Reed Park. 

Part of the track that used to be unformed had been worked on with steps made making it much easier.

All in all a very pleasant walk.  In the afternoon we had the promised rain and today, with snow in the South Island and Lower North Island the temperatures have dropped with more rain.  It was needed for the gardens.

THE BRIDGE

Yesterday I couldn't find where the bridge in my post came from but have just managed to find it.  Here is the article.

An exciting aspect of this project was the installation of an historic repurposed railway bridge.

Railway trusses from Taumarunui, constructed in around 1903, were used as a new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists.

The railway trusses once spanned the Ongarue River, and were part of the North Island Main Trunk Line.

The trusses are rare examples of a Howe Truss design and are of notable historic significance.

We are pleased to be able to give new life to this unique piece of New Zealand railway history as a landmark new shared path bridge

It is good that they were able to repurpose something old rather than having it dumped.

KAMO SHARED PATH

Today's Parkinson walk was along the Shared Pathway towards Kamo. on Friday the final part to Kamo was opened so we were able to have a longer walk.

Once again the weather gods were looking down on us.  At the start of the walk a wisteria was in full bloom

This is an old rail bridge repurposed from somewhere further south as part of the walk.

A kowhai flowering.

Doug didn't come on the walk as he thought it would be too far.  He stayed home and our new Lawnmowers came and mowed the lawns as Doug has finally agreed that it would be a good idea.