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Taranaki Garden Festival 2016; North Island garden tour New Zealand
Topic Started: Oct 21 2016, 10:35 PM (693 Views)
erka
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Blizzard: As you know, border collies like to bark as well as give "eye" to get their way!! Barking and eyeing is part of their DNA.

Sooty: Wonderful travelogue. I had to query the gardens for pictures. Hope you don't mind my putting the links here.




Stanleigh Gardens:
http://www.gardens.org.nz/taranaki-gardens/stanleigh-garden/

Vince and Ann/Big Jim:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/9699818/Big-Jims-proves-a-big-temptation

Tupare:

http://www.eventfinda.co.nz/venue/tupare-gardens-new-plymouth

Pukekura Park:
http://www.pukekura.org.nz/index.php?page=the-park

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sooty
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Thank you, Erka, for the links. When ever I try to do something like that it jumps to the website itself. In hotel lobby and they are digging up the tiles. Tranquil I don't think!
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sooty
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Day ten Garden tour:
New Plymouth to Hawera to Whanganui and finally Palmerston North.
A start in pouring rain. So far the weather had been mainly kind to us.
The Copthorne Hotel at New Plymouth was older, tired but had enthusiastic staff who went out of their way to help and answer queries. Only niggle was no suitcase stand so our cases were on the floor, " bend the knees, I don't think".
Today Mt Taranaki didn't exist. Low cloud, grey skies and fog in the shallow valleys. We headed on the inland road, not the coast one as DBMF predicted. Passed through a number of small timber towns, their heyday was the late 1800's. The industry still exists but the population numbers are down. Passed through Stratford and thought of the British settlers who covered their former empire with towns named for Shakespeare's birthplace.
Hawera: Gravetye Garden
Built nine years ago in a paddock. The house was centred and on higher ground. They used earth movers to create and initial boundary or ha ha. This dropped away to further lawns and the whole property was confined in outer hedges about 20 feet high. The owners talked about their ideas and planning. It was very different to yesterday. They loved the formal style of French and English gardens. Several features radiated for the house itself. A Lime walk, Laburnum arch, a reflection pool and grass sculpture.
How do you sculpture grass? A huge grass square cut a different heights on the edges, a central pyramid covered in grass. Sounds odd but quite effective. Iris, the predominant flowering plant. Bulbs past their flowering and roses about to bloom on walls and in formal beds.
Someone asked about cutting the hedges and our guide talked about helicopters with trimming blades on a long chain, hovering overhead. OK, we are gullible Aussies, BUT then we saw one!
Next stop was Whanganui, a river/ coastal town. It is obviously on a downturn in business and employment. A hint or two would be to have better parking for buses and more signposts to the public toilets. However the people we met in shops and tourist sights were very helpful and enthusiastic about their region.
141 Grinders Bakery did a great pie $4 and Victoria's T42 had real coffee and a delicious raspberry muffin $8.50.
Then down to the river and the boat Wairua that gave us a taste of river scenery with commentary on the area's history. The volunteers who restore these old river boats were passionate about them. The local museum also had lots on display about the paddle steamers. Coming back to shore we saw the war memorial tower. From its height on a clear day you could apparently see the South Island, and inland north Mt Ruhepaho ( spelling?). It's closed to climbers now, not that my knees were tempted!
We continued on through the usual green hills teeming with sheep and cattle and some fields of crops to Palmerston North. Wind farms dotted the surrounding skyline with blades going at full pelt. A large busy town, the Hotel Copthorne here was fairly swish compared to its sister from yesterday. Dinner was to die for-duck leg confit with blood orange fluid gel, beetroot pickle, lime pearls and dried olive dust; swordfish with coriander and rocket salad and grilled vegetables, and a fruit salad of NZ's fresh produce artistically displayed. On the menu it would have been $77 but was an included dinner.
Over dinner we talked about the trip and our expectations. I had enjoyed most of it, a few minor issues, but not everyone felt the same. Garden Club members seemed to have higher expectations. I don't have that background but liked what I saw and would recommend the trip to others. Coach trips can't always hit the bullseye on every item.
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agate
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Yes there are always different strokes for different people.
I think if one goes with an open mind it is much more enjoyable which I think you have
accomplished sooty. sounds lovely.
Are you soon connecting with Kahu?
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sooty
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Agate, yesterday we met up but you all have to wait!
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sooty
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Day eleven Garden Tour
Palmerston North to Kimbolton to Wellington
A forty minute drive into the hills and along the ridges took us to Cross Hills Garden and Nursery. This area was virgin bush and settled in 1886 for farming. Cupressus macrocarpas surrounded the original house. The farm, 240 hectares, was purchased in 1938 by the Wilson family, who still run it today. The garden was developed in stages, with a new farm house in 1951. It was landscaped with rhododendron which flourished, the soil and climate ideal. In 1970 a decision was made to plant a large collection of rhododendron. An old orchard was pulled out and eventually more plants, azaleas, clematis and trees from many countries for protection and features. The garden was now 7 hectares. Rainfall is 114 cm. In 2000 a millennium maze of camellia hedges was created. With imports and home breeding of rhododendron and azalea there are now 2000 varieties in all colour groups. Blue to violet, Crimson, red, pink, white and combinations. In 1990 a waterfall was created with a wall of clematis more than 20 feet high behind. There was also a working nursery that ships plants all over New Zealand.
OK, you have had the spiel but WOW. When I saw the first garden section I chose not to take photos and just drink it all in. All the colours were there , some plants higher than trees. I climbed to the lookout and sat looking at all this beauty. No words can describe it all. Coffee and lemon muffin $8.40. After this sugar/caffeine fix I went back to the homestead garden and took a few photos for posterity. They cannot do this garden justice.
Continuing on, we stopped at Levin for lunch. There was a statue of the Market gardeners who opened up this area and there were still market gardens. Mr Bun pie $4.00 drink and snack $6.00 souvenirs $20 card.
We reached the Kapiti coast and suddenly there was a retaining wall and waves lapping the roadside. We followed the coast and then crossed hills into Wellington. Magic. Blue sky and sunshine , old and new buildings , city traffic so we crawled.
Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand was our first visit in Wellington. Huge modern building on five floors. We had a guided tour for 60 minutes, just a taste. The Golden Days exhibition and video encapsulated the New Zealanders of the last century. Fun and fast. Then our guide took us through the immigrant exhibition of early and newer arrivals to these shores. The Royal connection, and Sir Edmund Hillary finished our hour tour. We could always go back in free time tomorrow afternoon or on the weekend.
Finally back at the hotel. I could have walked it faster than peak hour traffic and a one way system in the CBD. Casual meal with several of the tour group at the Scottish Restaurant. Managed to ring a New Zealand friend of many years and plan to see him and his wife this weekend. A late start tomorrow 9.00 am.
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Durgan
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Rotorua Day Six. No mention of the Sheep shearing demonstration. I spent three days in Rotorura until my youngest daughter couldn't take the sulphur odor any more-a wimp. It sure is/was and interesting area with all the hot pools. Lake Taupo?
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sooty
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Durgan, I can see sheep shearing at a friends farm in Victoria anytime. Have even been allowed to do the smokos and lunch one day. They certainly put the food away but it's a hard life on your back.
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Durgan
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sooty
Nov 6 2016, 03:29 PM
Durgan, I can see sheep shearing at a friends farm in Victoria anytime. Have even been allowed to do the smokos and lunch one day. They certainly put the food away but it's a hard life on your back.


Completely escaped me, since sheep are so strange to me. The few times seen fascinates me. All husbandry is hard. I remember being so tired at threshing time on the farm that I would fall asleep at the supper table.
Edited by Durgan, Nov 6 2016, 04:17 PM.
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sooty
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Day twelve Garden Tour.
Well, the earth moved and I didn't know. At breakfast we discovered there had been a minor tremor in Wellington. Today was a full on day with the magic words 'time at leisure' meaningless.
Cable car: we walked from the hotel to the cable car and headed up through several tunnels to the Botanic Gardens. Views of the harbour.
Wellington Botanic Gardens: Then a walk down hill through the gardens. Mature trees; camellia garden; native bush land; threatened species garden; seasonal flower beds with Iceland poppies in bloom; herb garden; fragrance garden; garden sculptures; a memorial seat to Basil, the late Garden's cat; a begonia house of brilliant colours; hippiastrum ( spelling) in all colours WOW; the Lady Norwood rose garden about to burst into bloom, only the climbers were flowering; the waterfall and peace garden. It was two hours of delight and topped off with the best gift/ garden shop I have seen next to Wisley, RHS in UK.
Souvenirs $70 card + $22 cash, coffee and muffin $8.50
Mt Victoria lookout: clear sunny skies and great views of Wellington and the Harbour from the summit. Chilly but worth the stairs.
Returned the hotel for free time at 1.00pm. I immediately headed out down Lambton Quay to the Parliament Buildings. Usual security and cloakroom for bags etc. Short DVD, then our tour guide R introduced herself and told us what we would see. She was very enthusiastic but suddenly those sirens started. I never found out if it was a fire alarm or security breach but we were ushered out with sirens blaring, single orderly manner , all the security screens slid down and locked. Wardens with fluoro vests counting the numbers. A pleasant interlude on the lawns where the unbalanced architecture was explained ( those pesky WWs). Finally a return , we first visited the Maori Select committee room. The pillars were totems of each tribe. The walls were woven matting. There were also select meeting rooms for Asian and Pacific Islanders . The passage of a bill to create or change laws was explained. There is no Upper House, it was abolished in the early 1950s.
We next visited both the House of Representatives Chamber and the former Upper House, now used for receptions. Around the walls were carved memorials to the battles in which NZ had fought. On either side of the speakers chair, a spray of (copper ? ) camellias symbolised the day in the late 1800s that women were given the right to vote. The day is in September and each year the chamber is filled with real flowers on this day. Because of the later start we were unable to see the Parliamentary Library.
Souvenir $6.00 lunch $5, $8.50
Across the road was the Anglican St Pauls Cathedral. Modern in pastel colours and Art Deco design. Quiet, tranquil spot on a busy Friday afternoon. In the sanctuary a group were folding paper cranes for a large peace display.
Now down past the Railway Station buildings to the wharves/ dock area. A most pleasant walk in sunshine by the waters edge. This area has been under redevelopment and is much revitalised with cafes, shops, galleries, hotels and museums. The harbour views were again spectacular with ferries and red vessels (?) crossing the water.
I visited the Wellington Museum sited in the old Bond Store. First floor showed the original bond store and the next gallery was "Telling Tales". This was a selection of 100 items that defined Wellington and its history. I found this type of presentation interesting , informative and not too overwhelming. Second floor was a graphic memorial to the Wahine disaster , the cross island ferry that founded in the harbour in hurricane winds and waves. The footage and stories by the survivors was very moving and the bodies laid on the rocks and sand so tragic. The following gallery was dedicated to marine history and finally maps of Wellington Harbour displayed in the Von Horn Room. Time was against me so I didn't see the last two floors.
Back into the high rise CBD past shops, offices and hotels I reached my hotel. My room mate had been shopping and sightseeing too and we compared notes.
The final tour dinner and goodbyes to a great group. We rubbed along reasonably well, all with a love of gardens . Some were going back to their towns and garden clubs, primed with photos and stories to tell. My story, you all know; the photos only the Aussies will see, until I learn how to post online.
I'm staying at James Cook Chancellor, grumbles about the wifi, the lack of a wake up call and a mediocre dinner for our Gala Night. Copthorne Palmerston North has spoilt me for the best NZ food.
JD asked for the company name. It was Grand Pacific , while based in Australia, focus on New Zealand coach tours. I would recommend it .
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sooty
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Day thirteen Garden Tour : Friends
The day started at 3.15 am and that alarm. My roommate Judy was heading to the airport for her return flight to Sydney and onward to Tamworth. We had met on the trip and just clicked. It made the travel so much easier and fun as we looked out for one another without being too clingy. We had a last cuppa and I went back to dozing, didn't sleep however. It was a foretaste of next Monday for me.
Pleasant sunny day and when a civilised time appeared on the clock, I wandered down to the water. Took some snaps of the old Bank Building, highlighted in shades of cream and walked through the Arcade. Saw Smith Grocers, an iconic Wellington business, now an old style cafe and window shopped the others in the arcade. Christmas decorations were up and very stylish. Down at Frank Kitts Park was a Saturday Market. The mantra of no wood, no breakables and no food held. Tempted by hand knitted sheep, I'm a kitschy person.
Back at the hotel for one of the highlights of this trip. As I walked through the foyer a smiling chap called out " Sooty". Yes it was "Kahu", my NZ friend from the seniors network. We had corresponded for about seven years, never meeting till today.
A and S, his wife, took me on a personalised tour of Wellington and the Hutt River Region, and treated me to lunch and dinner at their home. If I don't get all the sights right please forgive me but I didn't have a notepad out with friends.
Knowing my love of gardens, they took me first to a native botanic garden and forrest reserve dedicated solely to native plants, Otari-Wilton's Bush. It encompassed 100 hectares of natural forrest and 5 hectares of plant collections. Alan is very knowledgeable and pointed out many plants and trees and some of the birds. I remember one was the Tui with iridescent bluey green almost black feathers and a white crop. The views from the lookout over the valley were stunning and then a canopy walkway to more gardens. There were vines that choke a trees and replace it (Rata?) and others like Tarzan ropes ( Supplejack?).
Next we drove around the rim of the harbour to a lookout near A's last school posting. Views of the harbour, the hills, the heads in the distance and Matui/Somes island. Onto the Hutt River and up to Lower Hutt. Some of the scenes from Lord of the Rings were filmed in the river. Lots of family friendly small parks and cycle tracks. Cricket matches played out on district ovals. Lots of people out for Saturday fun and shopping.
Arriving at S and A home I saw their garden, designed in several rooms. The main feature was two outdoor chairs on the deck facing the garden and looking through a jasmine covered doorway onto the hills and native bush. Semicircles of native trees, can't remember the names, full of birdsong. An arbour of ferns, another two of orchids, a veggie bed and a central feature with mosaic squares, wooden screens and masses of red poppies and purple daisies. The gardener complained that their holiday in Tasmania had allowed this bed to grow rampant and he had some work to do on it. I loved its natural state.
A coffee, a chat, salad sandwich with ingredients from the garden and we were off again. Managed to see Frisbee Golf at Harcourt Park, and moved quickly away when the golfers shouted, as I was on the fairway! Rhododendron and azalea in this park with some flowering cherry finishing its blossom. As we toured Lower and Upper Hutt, A pointed out family sites. He grew up here. Then around the harbour to Eastbourne, a posh older waterfront suburb with a bit of Grand Designs! Sometimes you can't get home because the road follows the Seawall and can be lashed with waves in storms. Other houses have slid down the cliff.
We stopped at the salvaged Mast of the Wakine , a memorial to the disaster. S said this was where many of the bodies were washed ashore. Today it was tranquil, grey sand, shells, washed up timber ( flotsam or jetsam?), children swimming and collecting shellfish. Turned around to the cliff face and there was a wild goat high in the bushes. Travelling higher again (Wainuiomata Hill)) we looked down on the ferry , tugs and a tanker and across to Wellington City. There were mountain bike tracks down to the shore through the bush and some riders getting their adrenaline rush for the day.
Time for dinner at A and S's home. Lots of chatting and stories. G and T with Shirley, a bottle of Yealand Sav Blanc from Marlborough, scrumptious home cooked chicken roulade with garden veggies and the finishing touch, Whittakers Special NZ collection chocolate.
Memo to self: FIND THIS CHOCOLATE BEFORE YOU LEAVE.
A and S drove me back to my hotel just in time for the fireworks on the Harbour. Was it just for me? No , Guy Fawkes celebrations. From my hotel walkway I watched the colours and explosions of light and stars. ( C, remember our holiday with mum and Sydney's Fireworks all those years ago). Great day, totally bushed and this diary will be a memory exercise for tomorrow.
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sooty
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Day fourteen Garden Tour
I slept in to 7.00 am. A slow start, it was raining and I actually read a bit on my Kindle. At 9.30 wandered down to Maccas for breakfast. Munching my breakfast muffin I headed down Lambton Quay to Molesworth Street and the Anglican Cathedral of St Paul. Sung matins , mainly a female choir, a stirring sermon on being custodians of nature, a moving Maori rendition of the Lord's Prayer, and blessings in both languages.
Now to find the old St. Paul's . Well, I found the Thai embassy with flags at half mast and a photo of the late King on display. Next found the NZ rugby headquarters with the flag also at half mast. Made the assumption that NZ lost their match with Ireland in Chicago last night. Gave up on the historic church and headed to the harbour past the National Library, National Archives holding the Treaty papers, Dept of Defence ( this must be Government Hill). Quite by chance looked back and saw the old timber church tucked away. Well worth a visit, gothic style in dark timber inside, painted wood outside, beautiful stained glass. US marine flag is mounted in the church in thanks for their help in WW2.
(for JD, the farewell service for Bishop Selwyn was held here, he had donated some of the money for the land where the church was built and much loved by all. Some of his last words were in Maori " It is light").
Along the waterfront towards Te Papa museum, I passed the memorials to sailors, ships, and the merchant service ( thanks Alan). There was a large Maori boathouse that held the canoes and outriggers used in official ceremonies. An striking statue of the Maori stood at the entrance. Wet, windy, overcast, it didn't photograph well.
Finally after my umbrella had blown inside out twice, I reached the relative safety of the museum. Had lunch, chowder 8/10 not up to New Plymouth standard. Sat outside as I hate central heating. Butter blew off the table, table number blew off the table, a spoonful of soup blew across my arm as I raised it to my lips. Windy Wellington , it sure was! Lifted the bowl with both hands and supped direct, after all no one else was outside and no one knew me.
Back in the museum I queued for the Anzac exhibition. Very emotive and so well done. Five or six figures in as many ' rooms' told their story. The figures were 2.4 X normal human size. As you followed their stories you followed the time line on the floor. An officer from the first charge, a doctor, two soldiers, an army nurse. You could see why those who returned were mentally scarred as well as physically. The words of Ataturk were on the last wall "They are our sons and daughters now". And we still have bloody wars. When will we ever learn? I'll play John Schumann tonight.
I needed a break after this and wandered through the bookshop , picked up a Hairy MacClary Book to clear my head. The author is a New Zealander and it's all rhymes.
The next section was Awesome Forces. There were displays on the earth's tectonic plates and how earthquakes occur. An excellent display on Napier and the earthquake of the 1930s. You could enter a small wooden home and experience just a fraction of the forces of nature. Further on the volcanoes took the stage, with marvellous footage of an ice mountain exploding. I didn't record the name but it stuffed up the ski season. As usual wifi is in the lobby so I'll try to update this later.
Although I had intended to see the next floor of the museum I was tired out and faced the blustery weather to head back to the hotel. I didn't even get back to the Wellington Museum, also on today's list. Sometimes you have to rest and recuperate. After all it's a 3.15 start tomorrow.
Food $10, $11.50, $10.20. Coffee $4.00 Miscellaneous $10. Found one of the Whittaker's NZ Chocolate blocks, but will it get back to Australia?
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sooty
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Day fifteen Garden tour
Alarm at 3.00 am. Early pickup and too early for the automatic machine to accept me for the flight. Pleasant Air NZ lady helped me when they came on after 4.10 am,
Then the usual airline queues, immigration, customs , surprisingly they don't check for liquids in the ziplock bag.
Melbourne was windy and only one runway working so the domestic flight was delayed. There were eleven planes all lined up waiting. Taxi from Adelaide Airport, ( can't find my Aussie money so had to use credit card)
It there time to get Puss? Of course , but I'm absolutely worn out and think I've acquired a travelling head cold . It's all that recirculated air. Now for a week of Codral tablets, the Drambuie was so much tastier.
Puss is under the covers at the foot of the bed. I'm in my summer pjs with a coffee and that block of Whittaker's NZ chocolate . At least it got home before being scoffed.
Hope to sleep to the morning, SA time and then the usual post holiday chores. The garden looks dry and several pots almost turned up their toes.
In real time its Thursday, arrived home Monday afternoon and haven't done much. A head cold stops you in your tracks . Still magaed to read a bit, watch the odd DVD and have my first best friend by my side. She needs a brush but what that would do to my head! Still it's an enforced rest to recover from a superb holiday, gardens and meeting A and S.
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blizzard
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Oh my, all those gardens! I was worn out just reading about the beauty.
Always nice to get home and have a kitty wanting to curl up under the covers with you.
How long before your next trip?
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sooty
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Blizzard, at present I don't want to leave home. My garden is in bloom, just geraniums but colourful and it's not too hot. Puss is over the moon with being home, and also I can't find her collar so there is no restraint!
However we will be going to Yorke Peninsula the first week of December with the caravan club. Unless it's Suddenly stinking hot.
What about you? I sent your blog to a housebound friend and she loved it.
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