A Drive In The Country

 

At the end of last week, on a gorgeous sunny day (it is pouring with rain today!), I jumped in the car and went for a drive out of the city.  I didn’t have any set destination in mind and I never traveled too far, so I was home again in a few hours.

I headed for Pirongia first, a small village close beside and named after this semi-dormant volcano.

Pirongia’s Heritage and Visitor Centre was still closed (I was too early) so my visit was short – but it became a timely stop as I took two phone calls while wandering around here.

I love balmy days in the country, and this day the air was heavy in places with the smell of honeysuckle and privet – I know many dislike privet (because of hayfever) but I actually love the scent of the flowers.

This tangled gully was full of birds and bees, and wafted out clouds of scent on the breeze.

Nearby is Kakepuku Mountain, another semi-dormant volcanic cone and a place where we once lived for a short time.

Although now covered with bush and farmland, this mount was once a virtual food basket with its slopes covered in gardens and fruit trees that supplied the resident Maori pa as well as a good proportion of the surrounding district.

This path (which is steep and often slippery) leads to the top of Kakepuku Mountain, where great views can be obtained of the surrounding countryside.

I went for a short Weed Walk along this quiet country road.  I rather enjoy seeing what is growing wild along the roadside.

It is always a pleasure to leave the city behind for a while and remember what rural areas are like – my father used to sneeringly call such drivers Sunday Drivers as they tootled past.  I really don’t know what he had against them.

Keep smiling 😊

Margaret.