Lake Karapiro

 

First, let me apologise for having been absent from Blogland for so long.  I’ve just not felt up to visiting here, or doing much else for that matter.

It was reasonably sunny a few days ago, so Younger Son popped me in the car and took me for a drive out into the countryside.

We stopped at the lookout over Lake Karapiro, formed when the Waikato River was dammed here in 1948 to build a hydro-electric power station.

Today, this Lake is famous for the rowing facilities it provides.

Because of the recent rains, dams along the Waikato River are reaching capacity and water has to be released down-river.  Karapiro only had one spillway operating when we visited, but at times lately they have been operating all four of them.

There is a road over the dam.  It is only one vehicle wide and has traffic lights to control the flow of small vehicles.  Larger vehicles are prohibited.

Along the way home we passed this lovely old church at Kaipaki.  It was built in 1871 and used originally by Methodists and Presbyterians.

In 1901 a traction engine was used to tow it to its present site, and these days it is used as an interdenominational worship centre and wedding venue.

I hope you are all keeping well, and I look forward to being able to join up here again soon.

Margaret 😊

 

The Gates Of Haast

 

Three years ago I was travelling down the West Coast of the South Island and on this day I was driving over the Haast Pass.

This road, which traverses the Southern Alps, was only opened in 1960 although the trail had long been used by Maori in search of greenstone.

It was not long before civilization was left behind, and the road was winding along beside the Haast River.

There are many corners, sometimes the road is narrow, there are several single-lane bridges – it is quite an adventure driving over this Pass.

And, of course, it is nearly always raining!

On average, Haast has rain on 177 days each year (totalling about 77 inches), so I thought this poem I found in the Visitor’s Centre was quite apt.

The scenery can be quite majestic.

There is a gorge at the top of the Pass known as the Gates of Haast and the whole feeling of this place is rather wild.

There are several waterfalls one can visit, and this one was named Fantail Falls.  I collected some smaller rocks from the creek here.  They were so cold, like they were made of ice.

Coming down the other side, now heading towards Wanaka and Queenstown, I stopped at several pretty spots to take some photos. 

The sandflies here were large and black and quite vicious biters, and I came away with several blood spots dotting my arms and legs!

The weekend seems to have passed quickly (it is Sunday evening here now).  We watched all six of the Super Rugby games, had a visitor to dinner last night, and this morning I went out for morning tea with a friend.

A busy time, but it has all been happy 😊

Until next time,

Margaret.

 

Cornwall Park, Hastings

 

Firstly, thankyou so much to all the dear readers who wished me a happy birthday on my last post.  Your comments helped to make my day very special.

I was sorting through some of my photos and saw that it was thirteen years ago today that husband and I visited Cornwall Park in Hastings (Hawkes Bay).

It was refreshing to be able to stroll along the green grass
beneath these beautiful mature trees

A splashing fountain and some contented wild fowl

Inside the Garden House

Wandering through the New Zealand Garden

Enjoying the solitude of the Chinese Garden

These stone seats looked so quaint in this setting

Cornwall Park is quite extensive, and we could have stayed
much longer here if time had allowed

Apart from having my car serviced yesterday, life has been very quiet.  Sometimes it is nice to just reflect back on happy memories.

Margaret 😊

 

Sanatorium Hill

 

During this past week I had the opportunity to spend a couple of pleasant hours wandering around Sanatorium Hill, near the town of Cambridge (the Hill is now officially called the Maungakawa Scenic Reserve).

Situated at the top of the 1624 foot (495 metre) summit is a radio tower, with brilliant 360 degree views for miles in each direction.

A grand mansion was built here in the 1890s and a large garden established, the remnants of which are still visible today.

In 1902 the house passed into the hands of the Health Department and a Sanatorium (hospital) was established, specifically to treat patients with tuberculosis.

During World War I the Army took over and converted the buildings into use for convalescing soldiers, after which it all fell into disrepair.

By the 1930s it was considered too expensive to refurbish, and most of it was demolished.  Today, all that remains are some concrete foundations and the shell of one solitary small concrete out-building.

The Hill is criss-crossed with several walking paths, many of which connect up with walking trails from the nearby bush-clad Te Tapui Scenic Reserve.

It was most enjoyable wandering around looking, and, judging by the amount of picnic tables available, I am thinking it must be a popular place to visit in summer.

I was amazed at the birdlife here.  There were innumerable tuis, squabbling over the available flowers, along with bellbirds, Californian quail, pheasants, fantails, and all the usual garden birds.

Different places allow views out across the Waikato countryside.  This view was taken from one easily accessed viewing spot.

It would have to be over thirty years since I last visited this place, and it was marvellous to be able to see it all again.

Have an awesome weekend everyone 😊

Margaret.

Summer Memories

Our ears always popped when we drove over the Kaimai Ranges, a low mountain range that separates the Waikato region from the Bay of Plenty, and Mother would give us Minties (a chewy sweet) to stop us complaining about our discomfort.

Hidden away, near the top of the Range, can be found the Ngamuwahine Reserve.

It is accessed by a narrow winding dry dusty gravel road that leads from the main highway into the bush.

Some people like to freedom camp here.

We visited for a quiet picnic lunch on a hot summer’s day.

The river water was cool and refreshing, burbling on its way over the rocks and forming deep pools in the shadows beneath the fern covered banks.

Yesterday we had rain all day (I disappeared into a book – Pawn Of Prophecy by David Eddings) and today the weather is not much better.  That is what makes it so pleasant to remember summer in the middle of winter J

Margaret.

LINKED TO My Corner of the World

Hanmer Springs

Twelve months ago I had the joyous opportunity of immersing myself in the hot mineral-rich thermal waters of Hanmer Springs at the foot of the Southern Alps.  

This popular tourist complex contains 22 different pools offering a range of activities like bubble jets, waterslides, an aquatic thrill ride, and special sulphur-rich pools for soaking in.

Hanmer Springs village

A pleasant picnic area

Entrance to the thermal spa

Vegetation in the pools area adds to the ambiance

The Waiau River, beside Hanmer Springs

Access to Hanmer Springs is over the narrow Waiau Ferry Bridge

I could do with a long soak in a thermal hot-pool right now!  It would be perfect to combat this dull winter’s day J  

Margaret.

LINKED TO My Corner of the World

Weekend at Taupo

What a fantastic weekend we had, three of us ‘girls’ wandering around at our own pace and enjoying each other’s company.  We traveled to Taupo on Friday afternoon, arriving fairly late in the afternoon so that evening was a catch-up time (talk, talk, talk, and talk some more!!). 

On Saturday morning we headed off to explore.  Our first photo-op was the “Love Taupo” sign on the waterfront.

There was still some autumn colour around.

The weather was kind for us, with no rain, but there was in icy wind blowing across the Lake from snow-capped Mt Ruapehu.

We saw several different sculptures – I think this one celebrates the marathon event held here every year which attracts participants from around the world.

(Addendum: It is actually called the Ironman - an extra long triathlon with running, biking and swimming)

One must-see on any tourist agenda to Taupo is a visit to Huka Falls, where the Waikato River is forced through a natural narrow chasm.  The noise is deafening!

About 200,000 litres of water plunge over the 9 metre rock face every second – that is enough to fill five Olympic-size swimming pools every minute.

From a lookout point we could watch the Huka Jet bring people-who-don’t-mind-getting-wet up to the base of the Falls.

We went out for dinner each night (who wants to cook when they are on holiday?) and the nicest meal we had was at the Fox And Hounds restaurant.  The staff were friendly but professional and the food was delicious (the wine was great too!).  I had a Lamb Shank on a mash of different vegetables with a rich gravy.  The meat was perfectly cooked, being melt-in-the-mouth tender but still staying intact on the bone.

We visited a few other places as well, some not worth mentioning, but two places I want to write separate posts for in the next couple of days.  They are the Lava Glass Studio and the Aratiatia Dam. 

It was lovely to go away but it is lovely to be home again.  No place quite like your own home J 

Margaret.

Visiting Mapua

Not that long ago, Mapua was a sleepy little village nestled on the edge of Tasman Bay between Nelson and Motueka.  Now a lot of people have discovered what a pleasant place this is to live in, and the town has increased accordingly.

There are now many shops and eateries built in the vicinity of the wharf.  This photo shows one end of the area.

The wharf still operates for small craft, and cafes in this area are a great place to sit with a cuppa and look out towards the sea.

The spot is shared with Hamish the Heron, a lovely wood sculpture.

Around the back of Mapua village is the Waimea Estuary, a safe harbour for launching and mooring small boats.

Next door to Mapua can be found Ruby Bay.  Whenever I visit this area, a trip to Ruby Bay is a must-do, and I always leave with a rock or two.

The whole beach is stones, many of different colours and frequently having streaks of quartz running through them.

Leaving Mapua and heading up into the apple orchards in the hills, there is a good view back over the Estuary.

The Tasman District, where Mapua is situated, is a pretty area to visit and well worth the time if you are ever in the area.

Enjoy your day J

Margaret.


LINKING TO My Corner of the World

Over The Lewis Pass

Twelve months ago I was in the South Island, visiting friends and family and doing a bit of sightseeing as I traveled around.

The main route between Nelson and Christchurch is the road that leads over the scenic Lewis Pass, across the Southern Alps.  This road was opened in 1937 and leads first through trees of Southern Beech with their black trunks.

The Maruia Falls are found a short distance before heading into the mountains.  They were created by the 1929 Murchison Earthquake, and this photo was taken in 2012 when the Falls were in flood.

At the summit of the Pass is found the entrance to St James Walkway.  Hidden not far from the car parking area can be found a very pretty mountain tarn.

This little lake can have amazing reflections, a bit like in this photo that was taken on an earlier visit.

The birds here can be very friendly.  This one is a little Tomtit.

A South Island Robin also came visiting.

  

There are some lovely river views to be had when coming down the Canterbury side of the Pass, but very few places to safely stop and photograph them.

Lewis Pass (and a couple of voracious sandflies!) was soon left behind, as the road headed down towards the Canterbury Plains and the city of Christchurch.

It is great to go visiting different places when we can.  There is always so much to see and new memories to create, even if we have been to the same place before.

Have an awesome day J

Margaret.

LINKED TO My Corner of the World