KAWAKAWA - 3

The shop front below was also designed by Frederick Hundertwasser.  Not as famous as Hundertwasser House in Vienna but a lot of tourists visit Kawakawa to see his toilets and the shop which sells his calendars and other works.

I have always liked trains and wanted to go on the one that runs through the main street here.  After we saw the train go through town we decided to go to the Station and see when the next train departed.  It was leaving in 10 minutes so I went back to the car and got our lunch and we caught the train.  It is known as the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway and originally carried coal to Opua.  Now it only runs for half the distance but we thoroughly enjoyed our trip.  The Guard gave a full commentary as we went along.

Below an old orchard from when the coal mines were in this area.

The circular field below was used as a race track.

We went as far as this bridge which is considered to be the longest curved wooden bridge in the Southern Hemisphere and possibly one of the few left in the world which is still being used.  The history of the train is here

The train is run completely by volunteers and they are currently rebuilding the steam engine Gabriel see here.  It is hoped to have Gabriel back on the tracks before Christmas and to also have the full length of track operational by then going all the way to Opua.

LIFE

Apart from the walks we do and the odd day trip I also visit Max, usually three times a week.  This week he hasn't been too good mainly because he didn't have a pressure cushion.  I have been going in more frequently to make sure he is given a cushion and have suggested that, if necessary, I will buy him his own as long as it is used.

Anyway, today, when we went in he was on a cushion although not the one he should have been and he also looked a lot better.  Yesterday, he didn't look at all well.

To make matters worse yesterday Doug heard that his brother-in-law had been in a single car accident at the weekend.  He is in a critical condition.

I was not feeling particularly happy this morning.  I was ready to do some gardening and when I opened the back door just before 7 a.m.  I found a parcel. At first, I thought it was some plants I had ordered  but then realised the parcel was the wrong shape.  I picked it up and it was very light.

Last month my brother (Cro of Magnon's Meanderings posted about his woven shopping basket and I, jokingly, suggested it would be a great present for my big birthday later in the year.  Thank you brother for my Christmas/Birthday prezzie- I have already used it.  I phoned him straight away and we had a chat. The packet was an inside out dog biscuit bag.  Just the job.

The plants arrived later - they come in newspaper wrapped bundles.  

Lebanese cucumber, foxglove, chervil, basil, hanging basket mix, gazanias, and geranium.  Although the weather has been quite warm for the last few days it has turned very cold today with a strong wind.  Rain is forecast and much needed.  I hope things warm up and I can get them planted.

KAWAKAWA - 2

After visiting the glow worm cave Doug suggested we went on a further 5 kms to Kawakawa.  He had been through it many times but never stopped.  We had a walk around the "town" and I was surprised to see that there were two excellent looking butchers and that they both had ox cheek which I have never seen on sale before even though I had it at an expensive Napier Restaurant many years ago (and it was delicious).  Next time I pass through I may well get some if I can find a good recipe beforehand.

Of course, no visit to Kawakawa is complete without seeing the Hundertwasser toilets.  Frederick Hundertwasser first came to New Zealand in 1970 and later took New Zealand citizenship. see here

 We then stopped for a coffee and watched this "thresher???" go down the main street.

This is Hundertwasser's boat.

Anyway I asked Doug if he would like to go on the train as it trundled along the middle of the road while we were walking............. to be continued

KAWAKAWA

A while ago I purchased a voucher entitling us to visit the Kawiti Glow Worm Caves just outside Kawakawa.  The voucher expires next week so it was lucky that my vertigo had improved yesterday and we set off on a lovely sunny morning.

This photo taken from the car on our short trip (about 35 minutes).

The rock wall by the entrance to the caves

The actual entrance  - there is an excellent boardwalk right through the caves.

One of two eels that we saw.

No photographs were allowed in the caves - the following is from the "net".  We were lucky enough to have a guided tour on our own and thoroughly enjoyed it.

                         

One walks right through the caves and there is a delightful bush walk back to the carpark with lots of large rocks.

I have just purchased a new backpack - it suits Doug doesn't it!!!!

Doug had been there previously (in the late 1950's) but I have driven past the turnoff many times but never been into the caves.  It was well worth a visit.

We then decided to visit Kawakawa which is a further 5kms.  More on that tomorrow.

SMALL

My sister-in-law had Parkinson's Disease and it is one of the dementias that my husband suffers from.

I also go on the Parkinson Walks that are held here in Whangarei each week.  Today I heard that a video of a poem called "Small" written by a newly diagnosed Auckland man, Andy McDowell, has won the grand prize and People's Choice Award at the World Parkinson's Congress in Montreal.  You can view the video here.

Parkinson Walk Town Basin 30th September 2013

Today, we started our walk at the Town Basin - the lady in front is from the Press as there is to be an article in one of the local papers about our group.  It started off sunny although rain was forecast.

 As we started our walk we saw some very small ducklings.  They were too fast and I only got one in the photo.

We then had a quite heavy shower just before the halfway point of our walk and Doug walked back with one of the group who was not feeling very well.

We found some shelter and the shower passed quite quickly.  I was surprised to come across these geese on the riverbank.

Work has started on the new footbridge which will make  this a better walk as it will be more off road.

I even came across a small patch of bluebells

R. Tucker Thompson and Parkinson Walk

We are having typical spring weather at present - Saturday night was a violent storm in which the house shook with every clap of thunder.  Saturday itself had been a pleasant day and we had taken Sophie for a walk at Onerahi along the old Railway route, a walk we have done with the Parkinson group.  The weather was fine.

On Sunday the tall ship R. Tucker Thompson see here was at the Whangarei Town Basin.  I had woken with vertigo but luckily it had eased  and we went down to see her.  It was good to see a lot of people at the wharf.

Today was another lovely day and we walked along the Hatea River at Mair Park with the Parkinson Group.  I am still taking medication for the vertigo but am feeling a lot better.  Now we have a weather warning for strong winds and rain tomorrow afternoon and night.  A deep subtropical low is approaching from the north.

Anyway here are a few photos from the past couple of days and, as you can see, yesterday was just beautiful.

I just don't know where the time goes.  I seem to be continually behind in all the jobs that need doing.