Summer is coming!

Near there Kerikeri River Track we recently found this park with trees dotted here and there, some deciduous and some evergreen but all of them showing off some lovely green leaves at the moment. Such warm Spring days for us with a nice breeze in the air.

This area is just around the corner from the Stone Store and the Kemp mission house so not far to walk. It may be only October but it's already getting quite hot so Summer won't be far off - thankfully we have air conditioning pumps in 3 areas of our house so no doubt they will be getting used on occasion.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

New Zealand's Christmas Tree

Every year between November and December these flowers start to bloom. Named the Pohutukawa Tree, they line most coastal roads and beaches, loving the sunshine and sandy conditions. They are aptly named New Zealand's Christmas tree and the vibrant red flowers are reminiscent of the time of the season. The myth is that if they flower before Christmas day then we are in for a good Summer - so far that seems to have come true.

Linking up with Our World Tuesday :-)

Lake Karapiro Kowhai and Carvings

When you're on a road trip it's nice to pull off the main highway and explore some unfamiliar surroundings. Normally people go camping from Summer through to Autumn, however we spotted these campers who set up their tent and caravan on Lake Karapiro in early September (Spring in NZ).

Although it was a dismal overcast rain on/off again day it was nice to see some colour such as these Maori carvings and a Kowhai tree behind it flowering.

These trees that bloom in bright yellow flowers are native to New Zealand and feed native birds such as Tui, Kaka and Pigeon and Bellbird.

Linking up with Our World Tuesday :-)

Cherry blossoms on 17th Ave

On my day off yesterday I drove my car to our trusted mechanic so it could get it's usual yearly warranty check completed. After having at least 45 minutes to spare I decided to walk from 11th Ave up to 17th Ave.

Very good exercise too! I was originally going to try and walk further up to Greerton as the cherry blossoms are flowering out there at the moment but knew it would probably take longer to get there on foot.

On the way I spied some trees in bloom along 17th Ave and took some photos of them in their pink finery. And down the opposite end of the street was Tauranga's historic village.  Quite alot of walking was done in all but by the time I got back and chatted with the mechanic I was dismayed to learn that the front shock absorbers in my car need replacing at a hefty cost. Thankfully I have a very handy other half who can replace when for me so that I can take the car back for it's warranty to pass :-)

Spring at Te Puna Quarry Park

This morning in an effort to getting rid of that cabin fever feeling we drove out to Te Puna Quarry Park, somewhere I haven't visited in over a year.  Near the entrance this part was chained off but naughty me sneaked in and got this quick shot of one of the pink Magnolia trees starting to bloom.

 

In the Rhododendron garden these pinks and reds caught my eye, looks like the insects were enjoying the flowers too.

Near the end of the path was this garden floor covered in a sea of red and white flowers due to the Magnolia and Rhododendron trees towering above.

This white Magnolia was only just starting to bloom so there were more buds than flowers - we think the rain from the previous night has washed many off their branches.

Linking up with Our World Tuesday :-)

Redwood Forest (Whakarewarewa) - Rotorua

While out at Rotorua last week one place we visited was the Redwood Forest (Whakarewarewa). 6 ha of Redwood trees scattered in close proximity to each other that grow so tall and leafy.

Apparently 170 trees were planted in the early 1900s and only a handful are still there today. This one is one of New Zealand's Ponga tree ferns.

We could't believe how cold it was while walking along this track. The temperature for the day was around 8 deg celsius. I should've taken a jacket.

Sad to see quite a few mushrooms and toadstools had been squashed and stood on, this was the only one I could find.

This track we walked took about half an hour but there were various other tracks there too.

One of the main attractions there was the treetop walk which costs around $25 NZD which we weren't going to pay, we were just as happy on the ground - besides I'm scared of heights so that left me out.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday :-)

A mile full of colourful Autumn trees!

When I was out yesterday for my daily walk with Tia (my dog) we walked past the above property which has almost like miles of trees just barely covered in yellow/orange leaves. The property has a long driveway and next to it are these. I think it's pretty the way the colours stand out against the bareness of winter.

Wellsford Gardens - what a pretty display of colour

While running a few errands yesterday at work I passed by these small gardens in the centre of Wellsford. I just love the Autumn colours even though it's the beginning of winter you wouldn't know it because it's still reasonably warm here and alot of the trees still have their yellow leaves.

Weekend colour in Mangawhai Heads

Because it was so lovely and sunny over the weekend it was too good to stay indoors so I decided to walk up to Mangawhai surf beach. The view on this photo of the estuary is perfect - so calm and blue looking.

I walked through the caravan park on the way home and there were lots of Flame trees in bloom. The red & yellow flowers are a nice addition to what's usually a dull winter here.

Caravans at Mangawhai Heads

Seems like this place is still popular through winter - caravans occupying sites at Mangawhai Heads camp ground.