An afternoon in London

What a fabulous day it was today.  Before I went to my appointment at Great Ormond Street I took time to enjoy a couple of parks in London.

Orewa Beach and Eaves Bush Scenic Reserve

On the first Monday after arriving in New Zealand, Dad and I went into Orewa so that I could renew my drivers licence.  Well you can't go into Orewa without a walk along the beach of course which we did after we walked through the Alice Eaves Scenic Bush Reserve.  This is  a lovely little walk of about 30 - 45 minutes in length through some lovely native bush with Nikau palms, fernery along a gentle boardwalk.  It amazes me how well these walks have been done now in comparison to many years ago when it was usually pretty rough walking.  So much more accessible to all walkers now.  Dad and I sat in the bush and enjoyed a nice lunch bought from a local bakery in Orewa.

In my late teens and early twenties I used to work in Orewa, both at the National Bank and then in NZI Insurance.  I have fond memories of when NZI was having the office refurbished and we took our desks down on to the beach!  What fun.  You would often see Killer Whales in the waters as well.  Wonderful.

Dad and I enjoyed a stroll along this lovely beach...amazed by the lack of people down there enjoying it.  

Could you imagine walking along a beach like this in the UK?  It would be crowded on a sunny day such as this!

Lovely little terns on the beach

Fancy living right on the beach front?  

Poor stingray much have got beached and died. :-(

For lots of photos of our trip to Long Bay Regional Park click here

Cream Tea Wednesday

My Wednesday's have recently become rather special as in the afternoon I go and see a friend and we chat, knit, crochet, sit in the sun, have a cream tea - scone, jam, cream and a cup of tea at 3pm and then go for a walk together. We then have another cup of tea before I head of home at around 6pm. Such a special afternoon together and one I really enjoy. Sadly though just as we have both been able to do this, she is moving in the middle of August and this newly found joy we cease. I'm trying not to dwell on that fact and just enjoy our weekly get together while I can. What a shame we were unable to do this before due to us both having work commitments or more recently ill health, me with my RSD/CRPS and her with ME.

Today was lovely with the sun shining and we were both able to sit outside and enjoy our chatting and crafting.

My friend S, just before we started our afternoon tea.

Zooming in on the goodies, fresh home made scones. :-)

She lives near a park so we have started walking to the park and around the lakes.

I remembered to take my camera with me this time.

Fluffy little goslings

Going for a swim.

I always feel calm and relaxed after my afternoon out.

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.