On Thursday I arrived at Kate's in Tauranga. I can't remember when exactly we first met and became friends although I could look it up because it's well documented on my other blog. It was some years ago anyway and since then there have been Aftermases and her son James has visited me on Lewis.
We went to McLaren Falls Park on Thursday afternoon.
Yesterday I wanted to walk round the base of Mount Maunganui which is an extinct volcanic cone that rises above the town. I have tried on many occasions before but whenever I've been here the walk has been closed at some point because of landslips or ongoing path works. Now it is a complete path and is even wheelchair accessible. So that was another item of my bucket list (or rather it would be if I had a bucket list).
Mount Maunganui was absolutely alive with thousands of schoolchildren who had converged on the town from all over New Zealand adding to the general tourist population.
A busman's holiday. Everything looks much the same here but here we have the benefit of sleet and wind.
ReplyDeleteAdrian if the beaches of Lewis had the weather of Napier the Outer Hebrides would be inundated with tourists.
Deletebeeaaaauuutiful - one place of many in Nz, that I have yet to visit!
ReplyDeleteYes Fi I keep thinking of all the places I have visited over the years and how many more there still are. I had intended to do many this holiday but it was not to be.
DeleteLove your photos! What a beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa. It is, like very many places in New Zealand, stunning.
DeleteWow! The second photo makes me want to walk right into that magic forest.
ReplyDeleteOddly enough Meike when we were walking thorugh the native forest to the waterfall I was thinking how different it is to the forests you walk through and post about.
DeleteLooking at this post today I suddenly thought Lewis and New Zealand are opposites. New Zealand is lush and green while Lewis is bare and lonely.
ReplyDeleteLewis and New Zealand are certainly opposites in many ways Red although sometimes there are similarities in parts too.
DeleteThe weather looks so great - bringing out the colours of Nature. I hope that you found Kate well and happy. She is a lovely human being and lucky to live in such a place.
ReplyDeleteYes YP the weather is super this summer. I did find Kate well and happy you'll be pleased to hear and I agree absolutely with your assessment.
DeleteBeautiful photos of obviously a beautiful area, Graham. If there very few other people in residence I could very happily life in a little cottage on the banks of that lake (or is it a river?). It looks so tranquil in your photo.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. :)
It is a lake, Lee, and a cottage there would be out of this world.
DeleteI've never been to McLaren Falls Park. Must rectify that next time I pass that way. Beautiful place. Glad you got the timing right for a walk around the Mount.
ReplyDeletePauline I know that you would love it.
DeleteI love that first pic with the waterfall. I could sit there for hours just watching the water, I find such places totally hypnotic and restful.
ReplyDeleteCro I used to sit and study by the side of a stream in the Clocaenog Forest years ago: I know exactly what you mean.
DeleteStunning photos, Graham. I especially like the light and shade in the last one.
ReplyDeleteThank you Frances. It did have the advantage too of reducing the heat of the sun.
DeleteIt all looks absolutely beautiful and so idyllic. The tourist authority should hire you - you could start another career! Love you, DeeDee
ReplyDeleteDeeDee there are so many many parts of New Zealand that are beautiful and idyllic that I wouldn't know when to start.
DeleteSuch beautiful and refreshing pictures... and lovely captures of the light... It's snowing again outside my own windows, and spring feel a long way away still... so I get quite envious!
ReplyDeleteMonica I'm conscious of the fact that I only have 9 sleeps before I return to the snow and wind too.
DeleteSo happy that you finally had the opportunity to walk the entire path on the Mount..such a beautiful place. The scenery and the tumbling water from the falls would make my day.
ReplyDeleteVirginia I'm sure that you would have loved it. And it was very warm too!
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