Pages

▼

5/31/14

black swans and cygnets

It's been almost a year since I hurt my back and I'm finally getting back to as-normal-as-possible and able to get around pretty well. So, Hubby suggested a walk to Nowell's Lakes (well, one of them) and we were pleasantly surprised by several black swans and this bevy of cygnets.

hawera-nowells-lakes

17 comments:

5/30/14

raindrops on roses

This is a favorite from the archives.




18 comments:

5/29/14

Taranaki

Mt Taranaki and...


the Pouakai ranges formed by its eruption




18 comments:

5/28/14

herons at the water trough




20 comments:

5/27/14

pohutukawa

Cold weather has driven me into my archives. This is a pohutukawa tree--called the New Zealand Christmas tree since it usually blooms about that time of year.





10 comments:

5/25/14

Whenuakura Marae

This is a marae (pronounced ma-rye), a Maori meeting house used for many different things, including religious meetings. For more information on maraes, click here.
taranaki-marae


11 comments:

5/23/14

streams of light over the mountain

Unusual

15 comments:

5/22/14

bathing in the fountain



21 comments:

5/21/14

european goldfinch

This little beauty was enjoying the thistle blooms in the paddock next door and moving sooo fast!



17 comments:

5/20/14

Douglas boarding house

Built in 1906, this is now a heritage site with an interesting past. Click here for some history.


22 comments:

5/19/14

yellow daisies





11 comments:

5/18/14

church on the hill - wanganui river

spotted on the roadside


16 comments:

5/16/14

up close and personal

I found this one taking a rest on my strawberry plant a while back. I love all the details on him/her.




26 comments:

5/15/14

riverboats on the Whanganui River

The boat on the right is the Waimarie (pronounced why-mar-ee-a) and is the only working paddle steamer on the Whanganui River.  I have it on good authority that the other paddle steamer is the Wairua.   Click here for the Waimarie story.  Click here for info on the Wairua.



14 comments:

5/13/14

doves in the park, tararua

We came across this little park in the Tararua area and were greeted by doves outside and inside the tent. I have no idea what it was all about, but the doves were gorgeous.






21 comments:

5/11/14

the love boat

This is the boat that we were married on over 6 years ago. I think we were among the first that Chaddy, the owner, married after he became a celebrant and it looks like the celebrant business is booming since he renamed it the 'love boat'!

The boat itself is an old sea rescue boat from Britain. Along with the tour or celebration, you get some history and a few sailor yarns thrown in--and maybe a fishing line or two! If you're ever in New Plymouth, check him out. Click here for his webpage.



13 comments:

5/9/14

the legend of tutunui

This sculpture represents Tutunui and his legend.
south-pacific-legend

The story of Tutunui the whale comes from the Pacific islands and also links to Patea traditions. The whale Tutunui is the pet of the great chief Tinirau. When a son is born to Tinirau, the tohunga (priest) Kae is called upon to perform the birth ceremonies and is fed a morsel of flesh from the whale. Tinirau allows Tutunui to take Kae home over the sea.  Remembering the succulent taste of the whale, Kae manipulates the death of Tutunui, and cooks his flesh in an oven, wrapped in koromiko leaves, which hold in the fat and flavour. Kae is found out by Tinirau and put to death. For a longer version of the story you can click here.

11 comments:

5/6/14

forgotten house

I imagine that this house held quite a few children as it's a bit bigger than most abandoned houses that I see. I can just imagine the laughter and noise on a summer's day.


22 comments:

high tide at patea

I never tire of watching the waves come in. Hubby says I'm easily amused and I guess I am. I told him from the time we met on the internet that I was a cheap date!


16 comments:

5/4/14

New Zealand churches


21 comments:

5/2/14

gladiolus in autumn

Just one of the confused flowers in my garden this fall! I have lilies and dahlias that think it's spring, too!


24 comments:

fence of many colors

This is a walkway at the park in Hawera next to the playground. The colors always make me smile.




20 comments:

5/1/14

view from my window

Just a few days ago, there was no snow on the mountaintop, but the weather has finally turned cold enough to cover it over. Alas, winter is definitely on its way.




14 comments: