10/31/15

my wild garden

I didn't realized that gardening was going to be so full of  surprises. I would have been content with those flowers that I planted but the extras are such colorful additions. Of course, it messes with my mind because it's out of my control :)

Below are some of my favorites (for today, anyway!).






10/30/15

American tribute

This memorial gate stands at Queen Elizabeth Park at MacKay's Crossing near Wellington.



10/28/15

more wairarapa scenes









Poet's Bridge and WATW

poets-bridge-taranaki
The romantically named 'Poet's Bridge'  in Pukekura Park was actually bought with money won on a horse name 'The Poet' in 1883. Click here for some interesting history of Pukekura Park.

Show us what's going on in your world this week! You can link up your blog below.




10/27/15

Cape Palliser Lighthouse

These photos of Cape Palliser Lighthouse were taken by Hubby. You can click here for some history of the lighthouse.

The first three photos are taken from the same spot in the road. 





I didn't walk up to the lighthouse, but Hubby did and took these lovely shots from there.





10/24/15

primulas

I love these flowers from Hollard Gardens. They have a section of the garden called 'the swamp' and the primulas grow so well there and in so many different colors.









10/23/15

hollard's spring color

I drove over to Hollard Gardens today and was assaulted with an overload of spring color that I thought I'd share with you!



azalea-hollards


10/22/15

manawatu gorge

This two lane road is part of State Highway 3 along one side of the gorge. It's quite susceptible to landslides that close it occasionally. 

Beginning as a surveyor’s line, by 1872 a “road” existed but was a perilous trip for coaches. Travellers had to cross the river by punt or take an aerial trip using a cageway, pulley and wire system suspended high above the river.


On the other side of the Manawatu River is a train track.

The railway through the gorge was contracted for in 1886. Men worked in large gangs shovelling metal winched up from the river. The line was completed in 1891 and the first train over it carried 1500 passengers in eighteen double carriages.



At least, there's some interesting scenery to while away the 8 kilometers that seem like a lot more :)


Info from: http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/manawatu-whanganui/places/manawatu-gorge-scenic-reserve/



10/21/15

Putangirua Pinnacles

It was way too hot and the 'easy' trail wasn't for me, so we abandoned our trip through the streambed to see them from below and opted, the next day, to see the Pinnacles from above.

Soaring like skyscrapers, the pillars are made of old alluvial gravels (conglomerate). The pillars formed as heavy rain washed away softer rock, leaving more resistant rock behind. 


In time individual earth pillars (hoodoos) developed, protected by a boulder or hard ,surface on top. Some are thought to be over 1,000 years old. 


They are eroding by about 1 centimetre per year. http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/wairarapa-places/page-10

Lord of the Rings fans might recognize these rock formations although our photos are taken from above. 

Click here for the Maori account of the original sandstone wall.
kupes-sail-new-zealand




Highway 2 and WATW


I love the fact that most of the major highways here are only two lanes (except in the 'big' cities) with occasional passing lanes or slow bays where you pull over to let traffic pass. I took this photo of Highway 2 through the Tararua Ranges--yes, the white line across the top portion of the mountainside--as we were making our way home over the weekend.

So what did you do this week? What does your world look like? Link up your blog post below and let the world know!




10/19/15

more Cape Palliser scenery


The snow-capped peaks in the shot below are on the South Island of the country.

I guess any grass will do for cows, even on the edge of the ocean.