Shakespear Regional Park

Saturday 19th March looked promising and just perfect for a day's walking at Shakespear Regional Park on the Whangaparoa Peninsula. This park is in the process of becoming a sanctuary for wild birds and much has been done to enclose the area and lay bait traps to get rid of pests. There are various walks you can do and map guides are provided at the information centre at Te Haruhi Bay where the resident peacocks were enjoying the sunshine.

Such richness and vibrancy of blues.

Auckland, the city of sails in the distance.

I made the sandwiches and Dad packed his trusty orange backpack with supplies so we could picnic on the beach.

Just wonderful, nothing like a good day's walk with gorgeous scenery and fresh air to nourish the mind and body.

Okura Bush Coastal Walk

Dad and I set out on the morning of 8th March to do the Okura Bush Coastal Walkway. This is a lovely walk which takes you through some gorgeous regenerating native bush, such as kauri, pohutukawa (I bet it looks fabulous at Christmas when it is in flower), groves of nikau palm and lots more. It takes about two hours to walk to Dacre Cottage, which can only be reached by either walking or by boat. If the tide is right you can do some of the walk along the beach coast - it was lovely to stop for lunch along the beach. Cheese and apricot jam sandwiches, a banana and a bottle of water. Oh and mustn't forget the 'One Square Meal Bar' - very yummy.

Click on the above photo to enlarge if you wish to read...what a shame that they have to write this.

Bird watching.

Oystercatcher

This was a thoroughly enjoyable day out, although it was very hot at times!

Nothing like fresh sea air and a days walking to encourage a good nights sleep.

Wenderholm in Pictures

On the 23rd March Dad and I went to Wenderholm Regional Park. We have been visiting this wonderful park since the early seventies, although it is sometime since I last went there. I think 2005 was the last time we went.

Lunch was had done at the picnic tables. It was quite a windy day, although the weather did improve.

We went on one of the lovely walks that you can go on, gorgeous scenery, native birds and of course the odd insect...

Couldn't resist taking a picture of this praying mantis. Don't think I've seen a brown one before.

Looking down on Couldrey House. Wouldn't you like to live in a place as gorgeous as this?

My lovely Dad.

Purple and green...not sure what plant this is, we were going to look it up when we got home, but forgot!

These twisted vines look like a rope. There was more coiled on the ground.

Now isn't this house just gorgeous? Fortunately it was open so we were able to explore it.

Now one thing every house should have is a...

What a wonderful place to have a sewing room, being able to look out to see the beautiful scenery...such inspiration.

Kitchen.

My Mum and Dad have a stove exactly like this in their house and I remember my Mum used to cook her jams on it.

I'm Home!

Hello! I arrived home safely yesterday after a gruelling 30 hour journey. Had a wonderful relaxing time in New Zealand while visiting my parents and got to meet some of my lovely friends. I went for some great walks with my Dad, did lots of reading and some knitting.

It was nice to come home though, especially as my wonderful husband had been working hard on the house. The bedroom and lounge have been re-organised and tidied, as well as the rest of the house. It looks great. The daffodils are displaying beautifully beside my studio and out the front of the house.

I took my knitting with me and finished my socks. :-) Will definitely be making some more of these they fit wonderfully and wash well.

I enjoyed observing the life cycle of the Monarch Butterfly of which more will follow, but for now a taster.

Female Monarch Butterfly

Male Monarch Butterfly

My wonderful pony Playboy - Still looking good at the grand age of 38 years old.