Waipoua Forest and Kai Iwi Lakes

After the Hokianga we headed down through the Waipoua Forest and went in to see Tane Mahuta, the huge kauri tree.  There are actually workers at the base who were working on the boardwalk.  I had hoped to get them in the photo to show the size of this massive tree but they must be behind the bushes.

Walking back along the track we noticed this tree propped up with a large pole.

We then called into the Information Centre and I noticed this grove of cabbage trees (know as palm trees in Devon and Cornwall).

Then we drove to Kai Iwi Lakes.  I find it hard to believe that I have never been there before.  Below is the largest lake and it was just wonderful and would be ideal for young children.  We were the only people there apart from the caretaker although come summer it will be packed.

We also visited another of the Kai Iwi lakes.

Then it was time to head home via Dargaville.  I felt really refreshed after this trip but had not been home for long when I got a call from the Rest Home to say Max had been in a lot of pain and they finally worked out it was his elbow.  He saw the doctor and had an xray which came up negative and they had given him Morphine.  This didn't help my stress levels.  Still when I visited the next day he was just on paracetamol.  He now seems a lot better thank goodness.

The Hokianga

Last week we had a wonderful three days in the Hokianga.  The first day we drove via State Highway 1 and stopped for a delicious lunch of local whitebait fritters at the Boatshed Cafe in Rawene..  The view across the harbour is superb and one can watch the ferry crossing backwards and forwards between Rawene and Kohukohu

We then drove to the lookout at the harbour mouth and walked down to one of the bays before headiing to the Copthorne where we had a "Grab One deal".

Next morning we drove back to Rawene stopping at Kouto beach to see the boulders and for Doug to collect some kaimoana.

In this photo one can see the hard piece of rock around which the boulder formed in much the same way as a pearl is formed.

We had another delicious lunch in Rawene (flounder for me and soup for Doug) before going to the headland again for another walk.

Day Trip to Kerikeri to see the Bluebells in Roland's Wood

On Wednesday we set off for Kerikeri to see Rolands Bluebell Wood.  On the way there we passed the area of a major slip that closed State Highway 1 for a week in July.

In Kerikeri we saw Chris Booth's sculpture

the seagulls were enjoying the moat like pond at its base.

Then on to Roland's Wood where we had a picnic after a walk around the wood.

 On the way home Doug sat on the mosaic seat in Kawakawa he pronounced it not very comfortable.

It will be interesting to go back at different times of the year to see the woodland in its different stages.

Spring

I think spring has finally arrived.  We have had some lovely days although we all got thoroughly drenched on our Parkinson's walk yesterday.

On Sunday we went to a concert put on by the Whangarei Brass Band in Christ Church.  We attended last year and would have  missed it this year if a lady at the gym on Sunday morning hadn't mentioned it.

I think this year it was even better than last with a guest artist and girl's kapa haka group fromTauraroa Area School.

Tomorrow we are going to Kerikeri to see the bluebell wood.

SEATS ALONG THE NEW HATEA LOOP WALK

At the start of the walk while still at the Town Basin there is a bbq table with bbq.

one then comes to this lovely seat below which is outside the Reyburn House Gallery

then there is this pleasant place to sit and look at the river.

this is one of many with the top that can be altered so that one can either look at the river or inland.

These seats that look like seagulls have been there for a while

after crossing the new pedestrian bridge one is in the industrial part of whangarei and this is reflected in the industrial looking benches.

After crossing the new road bridge we come to some more of the seagull type seats and one of the ladies who accompanies her husband on the Parkinson walks is sitting (or reclining) on one.

 Then there are these lovely benches made and donated by the local "Men's Shed"

 then, when one comes to the road there is a bus stop.  This is where we rested on the Parkinson walk

Most of these seats are repeated at various stages of the walk.

New Pedestrian Bridge.

Today was the opening of the new pedestrian Bridge at the Town Basin giving us a 4.2 km walkway crossing three bridges.

There was a Maori blessing at dawn followed by a  ribbon cutting ceremony at 9.30.  Doug picked me up from home at 7 a.m. and we went to the Growers' Markets first then to the Town Basin.  The new bridge was already open so we walked around the new track, along past the "Wave and Waka" sculpture to the new bridge.




                                 

                                        Looking back at the bridge from the other side.

                   and looking towards the recently built road bridge from the same spot.

                    On the other side of the river looking back towards the new pedestrian bridge and the end of the peninsula.

                              Looking at the wave and waka from the other side of the river

                                                       Back to the Town Basin

                                                Paddle boarders (one with dog)

We got back just in time to grab a "coffee to go" before the ribbon cutting ceremony.  (The bridge had been closed again for this ceremony).

                                              The bridge opened to let a boat through

In spite of a terrible forecast there was one short sharp shower during the proceedings but the clouds gathered again afterwards