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South Island garden tour; Garden themed travel
Topic Started: Feb 4 2017, 10:29 AM (851 Views)
sooty
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Day 6 South Island Garden Tour.
Dunedin to Invercargill by a complicated route.
This diary will be written with map alongside me. Our driver decided on an extra bit of scenery.
First visit was to Wylde Willow Garden, situated in a country setting south of Dunedin, on Abbots Creek. Two acres, protected by a hillside but level. The divisions were orchard and pond, cottage garden and native woodland and a third of old heritage roses. Also lots of Rhododendron and Azaleas but by now they are so " ho hum".
The native bush followed the creek line and you heard the Tui call. The heritage roses were just budding, Fran, the owner, goes around the country taking cuttings from old properties and cemeteries! My favourite was the cottage garden set in different colours. Apricot and purple were out in late Spring and next choice, the cherry orchard beyond the pond . It was completely different to the formal gardens of two days ago but still had structure and planning.
Further south we crossed the Taieri Plains, farmland, logging, dairy, sheep, cattle . All green, the land flat mainly then some undulating paddocks and mountains in the distance. The Clutha River heralded the 1861 gold rush. Turning south east we had a picnic lunch at Kaka Point on the coast, yellow sand, black rocks and kelp with a slight sea fog.
Following the secondary road we travelled through the Catlins Forest Park, native vegetation, different greens and greys in colour. There was a bush walk to Matai Falls, beautiful rocks, dappled sun and a steep gravel path. Memo to self: I have walking poles USE them!
We continued on the secondary road stopping at Curio Bay, here we could see Stewart Island in the distance. Next stop the South Pole! Inland again with some glimpses of coast until another stop at Fortrose. This country was very similar to the green of Scotland's west coast with the sea lochs.
Our next garden was in Invercargill, Queens Park - a garden of significance. Formally laid out in several gardens, ponds, aviaries with wide avenues of English Beech trees. I chose to visit the Japanese Garden; the gardens featuring plants from the Sub-Antarctic Islands; and the winter garden glass house.
The Japanese garden was laid out with minimal planting, raked gravel and maple and cherry trees and surrounded by a row of black bamboo. Very Zen.
The Wintergarden was a delight of colour in different bromeliads in the warm hothouse. An extensive rock garden housed the Sub Antarctic plants.
Some of the borders of the main Avenues were filled with poppies, pink, yellow , orange. Others had tulips of the softest pink I have ever seen. The whole complex was a Monet's Garden of delight.
Temperature 24C ( another heatwave) Costs drinks $4, $3 Steps 13,400
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Kahu
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Did you manage to see any Hoiho (yellow eyed penguins) at Curio Bay?
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sooty
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No luck, there was a bit of sea fog and our driver didn't want to drive down the track. We heard about the yellow eyed penguins and seals, sea lions and sea elephants.
At present having a coffee in a marvellous transport museum, equivalent to the Ford one in Detroit, I think.
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agate
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All the gardens sound so lovely sooty.
It would be nice to travel there at this time of the year
as I could experience spring all over.
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Kahu
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sooty
Oct 31 2017, 10:57 AM
No luck, there was a bit of sea fog and our driver didn't want to drive down the track. We heard about the yellow eyed penguins and seals, sea lions and sea elephants.
At present having a coffee in a marvellous transport museum, equivalent to the Ford one in Detroit, I think.
Posted Image
The Hoiho on the $5 note ... there's a serious decline in their numbers noted possibly through increased offshore fishing quotas and predation from predators like the sea leopard in the wave at Curio Bay. Sea leopards have been known to attack black suited surfers possibly mistaking them for nz fur seals.

Posted Image

Posted Image
Dusky Dolphins, Curio Bay. Dusky dolphins' home waters are round at Dusky Sound on the SW Fiordland coast of the South Island.
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Not That Esme
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sooty
Oct 31 2017, 10:12 AM
Day 6 South Island Garden Tour.
Dunedin to Invercargill by a complicated route.
This diary will be written with map alongside me. Our driver decided on an extra bit of scenery.
First visit was to Wylde Willow Garden, situated in a country setting south of Dunedin, on Abbots Creek. Two acres, protected by a hillside but level. The divisions were orchard and pond, cottage garden and native woodland and a third of old heritage roses. Also lots of Rhododendron and Azaleas but by now they are so " ho hum".
The native bush followed the creek line and you heard the Tui call. The heritage roses were just budding, Fran, the owner, goes around the country taking cuttings from old properties and cemeteries! My favourite was the cottage garden set in different colours. Apricot and purple were out in late Spring and next choice, the cherry orchard beyond the pond . It was completely different to the formal gardens of two days ago but still had structure and planning.
Further south we crossed the Taieri Plains, farmland, logging, dairy, sheep, cattle . All green, the land flat mainly then some undulating paddocks and mountains in the distance. The Clutha River heralded the 1861 gold rush. Turning south east we had a picnic lunch at Kaka Point on the coast, yellow sand, black rocks and kelp with a slight sea fog.
Following the secondary road we travelled through the Catlins Forest Park, native vegetation, different greens and greys in colour. There was a bush walk to Matai Falls, beautiful rocks, dappled sun and a steep gravel path. Memo to self: I have walking poles USE them!
We continued on the secondary road stopping at Curio Bay, here we could see Stewart Island in the distance. Next stop the South Pole! Inland again with some glimpses of coast until another stop at Fortrose. This country was very similar to the green of Scotland's west coast with the sea lochs.
Our next garden was in Invercargill, Queens Park - a garden of significance. Formally laid out in several gardens, ponds, aviaries with wide avenues of English Beech trees. I chose to visit the Japanese Garden; the gardens featuring plants from the Sub-Antarctic Islands; and the winter garden glass house.
The Japanese garden was laid out with minimal planting, raked gravel and maple and cherry trees and surrounded by a row of black bamboo. Very Zen.
The Wintergarden was a delight of colour in different bromeliads in the warm hothouse. An extensive rock garden housed the Sub Antarctic plants.
Some of the borders of the main Avenues were filled with poppies, pink, yellow , orange. Others had tulips of the softest pink I have ever seen. The whole complex was a Monet's Garden of delight.
Temperature 24C ( another heatwave) Costs drinks $4, $3 Steps 13,400
"Very Zen."

I could use some Zen. Thanks for sharing. :-)
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sooty
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Day 7 South Island Garden Tour
Invercargill to Lake Te Anau (via Winton, Dipton, Lumsden and Mossburn).
Before leaving Invercargill we visited Transport World, created by Bill Richardson, a truck and car enthusiast. He was also a very wealthy transport and construction magnate. "Toys for Boys" took on new meaning. It rivalled the Ford museum in Detroit. Favourites : a white 1964 Fiat bambino - my first car; the guys' toilets with 44 gallon oil drums for hand washing and a cleanable racing car overseat!; a red Ford truck that rivalled a tank and finally two Indian Motorcycles. It was an enjoyable two hours for a non truck enthusiast.
Rural scenery took over, ewes and lambs ( lambing in September and high percentage of twins); farmed deer , several types red and wopiti ( spelling?) .Green pastures but as we travelled further the countryside was red tussock, not very fertile. In the distance were grey slate coloured mountains and further in snow capped ones. Near Mossburn the lower hills had wind turbines, the first I had seen in the South Island.
Southland was hosting a huge bicycle race this week and our destinations coincided. I knew the school children and hordes of locals waving weren't for the Grand Pacific coach. A free afternoon meant a walk around part of the lake, fresh water and gravel edges. It linked with another lake for hydroelectric power generation.Two thirds was surrounded by high mountains. It was a tourist destination cf Jindabyne in the Snowy Mountains.
In preparation for tomorrow's journey into Milford Sound, we watched a magnificent movie ATA WHENUA about Fiordland wilderness through the seasons. For movie nibbles I found some famous NZ sweets ( pineapple lumps) at the supermarket and shared them with the group. They are very moorish but sweet as.
Watched the sun go down on the mountains. Red sky at night, shepherds delight. Hoping for a fine day at Milford and flying to Queenstown.
Temperature 24C, no aircon in hotel again Costs food $10, $8, $4 Movie $9
Postcards $12 Steps 19200
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Kahu
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sooty
Nov 1 2017, 02:56 PM
A free afternoon meant a walk around part of the lake, fresh water and gravel edges. It linked with another lake for hydroelectric power generation.Two thirds was surrounded by high mountains. It was a tourist destination cf Jindabyne in the Snowy Mountains.
In preparation for tomorrow's journey into Milford Sound, we watched a magnificent movie ATA WHENUA about Fiordland wilderness through the seasons. For movie nibbles I found some famous NZ sweets ( pineapple lumps) at the supermarket and shared them with the group. They are very moorish but sweet as.
Watched the sun go down on the mountains. Red sky at night, shepherds delight.
Manapouri Power Station ... the threat of raising of the water level in Lake Manapouri sparked the birth of NZ's Ecological Green movement (1970's). The Green Movement stopped the planned lake level rise and there was a replanning of the hydro scheme which meant the power station was constructed 200m below ground. It is connected to Milford Sound, a fiord on the sw coast.

Damn the Dam 1973
John Hanlon - Damn The Dam. New Zealand music - 1973. Number five hit single. RATA Single of the Year Winner 1973. Protest song against the damning of Lake Manapouri for a hydro power station.

Ata Whenua - The Shadowlands

Posted Image
Mitre Peak Fiordland

Getting into Fiordland by road is not an easy trip ... spectacular, dangerous, avalanches and isolated certainly. Although today the biggest danger is drivers who are used to driving on the wrong side of the road and looking at the views!!!!The Homer Tunnel. Once you leave the tunnel there is a spectacular zig-zag of roadway carved into the mountainside on the way down into Milford Sound.

The attached photos were taken when I was young and fit. The first photo is also seen in the Ata Whenua video. The photo with the red corrugated iron hut in it was the scene of an amusing time we had with keas, which I'll write about later.
Attached to this post:
Attachments: IMG_0091.jpg (1.1 MB)
Attachments: IMG_0095.jpg (4.72 MB)
Attachments: IMG_0090.jpg (1.46 MB)
Edited by Kahu, Nov 1 2017, 07:07 PM.
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sooty
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Thanks for the photos. The day to Milford was so full on that for once I didn't type up the diary that night. In a word Majestic
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sooty
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Day 8 South Island Garden Tour
Lake Te Anau to Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park, Queenstown.
Early start as Milford Sound was a most poplar destination. We travelled along the edge of Lake Te Anau to Te Anau Station. Mainly sheep and cattle here. Their northern land ( on government lease) was purchased back when Fiordland National Park was created. The land was dense with trees (silver beech, mountain beech and rimu). We had several stops for photos ( Mirror Lake, Knobs Flat) and even met an inquisitive Kea. We reached the Homer Tunnel, a one way tunnel through the mountain. Building started on the road to Milford Sound in 1928, men worked on the tunnel with pick and shovel. It was not completed for many years and is the only road access. Further on we took a bush walk to see the Chasm, a break in the mountains with running water eroding the huge rocks below. The trees here were thin and tall ,covered in mosses and lichens.
At Milford we boarded the Milford Sovereign for a scenic cruise. Sunny day, little cloud. The waterfalls were flowing but not like a rainy day when then whole sides gush water. Got half of a rainbow on the iPad , sun through the fall. Immense towering sides of the sound, some vegetation clinging to the sheer face. Finally we saw the Tasman Sea and then turned for port. Teenage outcasts sunning on rocks ( boy seals who haven't bulked up to challenge the Alpha leader). Harrison Cove, named for the man who invented the chronometer. I had seen his clock at Greenwich and have a photo in my study. Arrived at Port and then had my birthday and Christmas present rolled into one.
I took the option of a scenic flight over the Sound, part of Fiordland and returning to Queenstown. AMAZING, MARVELLOUS, WOW. Our pilot, Blair, took us over the Sound, gaining height and then over those towering snow capped peaks, over lakes and rivers , grey rock face and green in the valleys. Finally over Lake Wakaputi and into Queenstown. "A town fit for a queen" (Victoria).
Our hotel was on the lake and had the most beautiful views. Even as I'm typing this, the next day I'm looking at the Frankton arm of the lake, snow capped mountains and the sun rising through cloud at the peak. After checking in, I walked down through the town ( village) , stone, slate and wooden buildings, German and Swiss influence, apparently the house prices now average $1 million. Views of the lake and mountains abound and pretty street plantings, like all NZ towns so far. I posted my postcards finally ( for the computer inept) . Then walked along the lake. In late afternoon sunshine I watched the steamer leave for a trip across the Lake while sipping the best milkshake ever. Patagonia brand raspberry sorbet and soy.
To compensate I walked around the lakeside back to the hotel. This route skirted the Botanic Gardens. These were mainly trees and grassland with opportunity for walking, riding, frisbee golf and rope swinging over the streams. I took a sedate walk and drank in all the sights, lake, dappled light in the trees and families at play.
The slope home was steeper than I remembered going down. Perhaps it's all the extra food because I'm certainly doing the steps. Another sunset on mountains. Such a huge day that I left the diary typing till the next day.
Temperature 20 C Milford 24 C Queenstown Costs:scenic flight $415 mc postage $42 food $5, $10 Steps 15,000
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agate
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Wow sounds fantastic and your scenic flight awesome.
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sooty
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Day 9 South Island Garden Tour
Queenstown area
A leisurely start, leaving the hotel and crossing the Shotover River to visit Chantecler garden. We were greeted by the owner Mike and taken on a guided tour. Rather a lot of climbing but lovely views with the mountains as backdrop. A creek ran through the property and on the far side was the evergreen New Zealand garden. Lots of bird life although I only recognised a Tui.
Quite a long walk through an avenue of trees, with flowering hawthorn behind as hedging. Different " rooms" with masses of Rhododendron , my favourite was a white Queen Anne. A child friendly garden room for the grandchildren with cubby, rope swings and tree house. Lots of hiding places for hide and seek.
Around the main house were roses about to bloom, black tulips still at their best and massed plantings of white hebe. White wisteria was over the gazebo and hostas of all patterns under the large protective Cyprus trees. White Lily of the valley as undergrowth! A cherry orchard with blossom just peaking. Scattered throughout the garden rooms were various sculptures or " interesting" pieces of history. A maharajah's travelling carriage, old farm equipment, statuary and my favourite, a bronze dragonfly, about 1.5 metre span.
Our next garden visit was to Blair Garden. Established 34 years ago in a paddock to complement a pioneer cottage. The owner, Janet Blair, gave us a welcome and brief introduction to her home garden. I focused on the white flowers ( lilac, old breed roses, wisteria, snowball and others) and followed this theme through the garden. Quirky items, a heart shaped hole in a huge hedge, two stone fauns drinking, a tumbledown shed covered in climbing roses ( probably all that was holding it together). An apple and cherry orchard, elderberry trees and an avenue of horse chestnuts in flower. I would have to give this garden my prize for the holiday, probably because it was more natural, homelike, real, beautiful without being " in your face ornate". Best of all, Janet had a planting of purple sage bushes as a deep border. I'm just trying this with silver sage as a circular border at home.
Back to Queenstown and lunch on the lakeside; yes, another milkshake, boysenberry this time. Raspberry was better. Walked the shorter route back to the hotel for a rest as tonight we were out across the lake to Walter Peak Station.
It was a forty minute trip on the TSS Earnslaw, a 1912 coal fired steam boat, across Lake Wakaputi to Walter Peak Hill Station. The local peaks were pointed out, snow on some. Closer to shore we could see some " mountain breed" merino sheep, high as the eye could see. Superb three course meal in the old homestead, it had been extended to accommodate large tourist numbers. Local products on the buffet, smoked fish, octopus, calamari, clams and mussels, while the meat eaters had pork, beef, chicken and lamb. I tasted the local lamb and it was melt in your mouth, superb. Australia you will have to lift your food game!
After dinner we went to watch the working dogs control a mob of sheep by whistle and call. It takes 2 to 3 years to train them for high country sheep work. The sheep ( thousands) are brought down from the mountains for winter. Motorbikes and horses can't get every where. Most working farm shepherds use about ten dogs each in the mustering. Then it was time for the return boat trip, no stars tonight with low cloud but we followed the lights of Queenstown.
Temperature 24C costs food $11, $3, $7 steps 15,000.
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agate
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Sooty it is so lovely sounding.

Quote:
 
statuary and my favourite, a bronze dragonfly, about 1.5 metre span.


Did you get a picture? Will have to Google and see if I can see it laugh123
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agate
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Found it...

https://www.chantecler.co.nz/gardens
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Kahu
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Hope Sooty's got her winter woollies ... it's been snowing down south! :cold:

Unseasonal snow hits lower South Island

Just three weeks out from summer, it's still snowing in the South.
An unexpected cold blast has hit the lower South Island, coming as a nasty shock to tourists expecting balmy spring weather.
Thick snow began falling at around 9:30am on Sunday, blanketing the Crown Range between Queenstown and Wanaka.
Recent warm weather had tricked many into thinking winter was gone for the year, but unfortunately for those expecting an early summer, this doesn't look to be the case.
An even colder blast is forecast for next week.
Forecasters are urging motorists to keep an eye on weather warnings.
It's a reminder that summer isn't as close as people had hoped.

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