KAIPARA HARBOUR

Yesterday, we had a cruise on the northern part of the Kaipara Harbour. We drove down to Pahi and the boarded the "Kewpie 2" which took us on a four hour cruise.  Looking at the map we actually covered only a very small part of the large Kaipara Harbour.  We cruised down from Pahi past the Batley Homestead and then went about halfway to Maungaturoto and the railway crossing before returning the same way.

It is a very interesting cruise with a commentary along the way.  I did it once before with Max but, unfortunately, we had a heavy fog that day.

Yesterday, it was fine but the wind was quite strong (as it has been for some time).

                                                                  The Batley Homestead

The Main trunk line - unfortunately, only special tour trains run on it now

ORCHID ROCK ROSE

This plant (or rather its predecessor) was in the garden when I came here.  It is neither an orchid nor a rose but looks delightful at this time of year.  its proper name is Cistus Brilliancy.  I know as I recently found the original plant tag in the garden.

The bush was very woody.  As I was still caring for Max at the time I had someone come in to do some pruning.  Luckily, I stuck some cuttings in a pot, as the pruning was too severe and original plant died.  The cuttings were later planted together rather than trying to separate them.  They have flourished.

These are the self sown geranium maderense that I showed earlier in the month.

I had to come in from the garden as it was too hot (for me at least) I see it is 28 degrees in my porch.

ROLAND'S WOOD, KERIKERI

Yesterday, we went up to Roland's Wood in Kerikeri with some friends  to see the bluebells.  It was a lovely sunny day (perhaps spring has finally arrived).

On entering the wood a crab apple was covered in blossom.

The clivia's were past their best but still provided a good show.

We all took something for a picnic which was most enjoyable.  Far nicer than going to a cafe.

As we went through Kawakawa the train was heading along the main street.

Spring must be on its way.

Although it didn't feel like spring when we were standing in what seemed to be a very cold wind tunnel collecting for the Alzheimer's Society yesterday, judging by the flowers that are appearing it must be on its way.


When I moved here in 2009 this wisteria appeared - I presume it was a seedling.  Over the last couple of years I have trained it up and over the pergola.  It now has a group of flowers at the base, another halfway up the post and more hanging down although a lot are lying on the ground, presumably knocked down by the numerous birds.

When we were in the north I had a couple of New South Wales Waratah bushes but do not have one down here, however, Doug has several and I picked these flowers yesterday.

The clivias always do well.

I had just one geranium maderense but scattered its seeds around and now have several of them some, like this one, growing on the rock wall.

The magnolia at the bottom of the garden must be past its best judging by all the petals underneath it

There is also the promise of delicious plums to come judging by the flowers.

The weather is springlike.  We have had some lovely warm days and I have managed to get into the garden and have a go at the numerous weeds.  This morning was lovely and reasonably warm as Doug collected me for our Saturday morning ritual of the market, dog walking and  supermarket shopping.  The temperature has just dropped and there is quite steady rain.  I just checked and rain or showers are forecast for the next ten days just when I want to get on with the weeding.

Another visit to the Vet

On Tuesday Kim was not happy.  She did not eat and just wanted to sleep.  I noticed a small mark  (presumably from a cat fight).  We have lots of cats here, many of them are very large and like sitting in my flower beds waiting for birds.

Anyway, I took her off to the Vets yesterday morning and the verdict was an infection caused by a wound from a cat fight.  She was given a couple of injections (much easier than a course of tablets).

She came home and disappeared.  I looked in all her usual hiding places then finally I went into the spare bedroom that I use as an office and heard a small meow.  She had crawled into a supermarket chilly bag that was lying on its side.

This morning she is much happier.

I have set up my watering system so that when I see a cat in the garden I can go out and turn it on.  Had to do it several times yesterday to move the neighbour's cats on.

THE RAT

Many years ago I made a toy for the cat we had at the time.  It was way before we had Kath and Kim which is ten years - possibly 15 years.

This toy has been a favourite and I am amazed how it has survived.  I am sure a shop-bought toy would have succumbed many years ago.

Both Kath and Kim have enjoyed playing with it but now that Kim is our sole cat it has been attacked quite frequently.  

It gets held, kicked and bitten and, as you can see it is getting a little worse for wear.  It is just an old sock rolled up and tucked into itself then sewn with a piece of bias binding as the tail.  In other words odd items that were handy when I decided to make it.

It has always been affectionately known as The Rat.

Parkinson's Walking Group visited Pataua South

It felt like spring yesterday as we drove out to Pataua South for our Monday Parkinson's walk.  We walked along the beach (some going on around by the camping ground and back behind the houses).

We took drinks and eats with us and had them at one of the many tables set out along the beach then walked across the bridge to Pataua North and had a short walk there before returning to Whangarei.

The bike riding is coming on well.  Feel a bit more secure and not quite so wobbly now.  I suppose 55 years is quite a long time!!!