Colours

 

I haven't been to this place in about 7 years or so. Warkworth is just north of Auckland and on this particular day there was a festival there but I can't remember what it was about, just that there was alot going on with people everywhere.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and Tom's Signs.

Boats

 

I haven't visited this town in a few years but it's still a favourite place. Warkworth is about maybe an hour north of Auckland. The water i nthe scene is the Mahurangi River and flows out through the harbour to the Hauraki Gulf.

Linking up with Through my lens, Tuesday Treasures, My corner of the world and Wordless Wednesday.

The old Wilson Cement Works

This is one historical spot in Warkworth, north of Auckland that I use to spend regular time at when my children are alot younger and the reason why is that in Autumn the colours on the trees is pretty special, we would wander through each ruin and sit in the sunshine. 

The old Wilson Cement works was once in use from around 1850 and the lake above was once where the ground was drilled, so deep that rain has since filled it up. At one point I believe there was an issue with contamination in the water but I have since heard that it has been cleared up as people swim in it during Summer.

So boats would come up the Mahurangi River (behind the property) and then the cement would then be shipped to Auckland to be used in the original Queen Street sewer system and other construction projects.

There are only ruins there but it is a popular place for photographers.  Apparently this was NZ's first cement manufacturing works and the founder was one Nathaniel Wilson (1836-1919) who emigrated from Glasgow with his family when he was 6 years old. He originally trained as a shoemaker but in 1864 he purchased a small block of land next to his parents block south of Warkworth village.

With lime deposits found on his land he built is own kiln in 1866 and decided to manufacture his own Roche lime used in plaster and mortar.  He first became interested in cement in 1883 and after experimenting by 1885 Nathaniel and his 2 brothers John and James began trading.  

Sadly by 1918 the company was voluntarily wound up and amalgamated with the NZ Portland Cement Company.  By 1926 the closure happened and the machinery was moved to Portland near Whangarei  and this cement works closed for good in 1929.  This whole site has since been recognized by Heritage NZ as a Category 1 historic place. The photo above was taken in 1910 by William price and shows coal smoke billowing from the chimneys.

There is more extensive information here.

Ginger Cafe Mural

A few years back when I use to travel to Warkworth quite a bit I took this shot of a mural on the side of the Ginger Cafe, so far my efforts to find out who the artist was has proven fruitless but to me it looks like dancing coffee cups on the left in amongst clouds. I am a coffee drinker myself and I can rate their mochas very very good. I don't think they are business anymore as I can't find any trace of them online which is a pity.

I hope you're staying safe wherever you are. With today being the 1st day of Winter much of Northland has had heavy rain warnings, over the last few days we've had heavy pelting rain and last night was blowing a gale. We have had my parents up over the long weekend staying in their camper in our driveway, they are due to go back today but this morning we were up at "The Rusty Tractor Cafe", one of our favourite spots enjoying "eggs benedict". Time to hibernate I think.

Linking up with Mural Monday and Our World Tuesday.

Algies Bay Artwork

Last Spring we visited Algies Bay, a beach about 45 minutes south east of Mangawhai just to have a look around. On the toilet block building (which looked like it needed a bit of a do-up) I spotted these murals.

This one on one side shows a couple in their swimming gear watching a fisherman with seagulls next to them.

And this one on the front shows a pied shag, 2 oyster catchers, people fishing and some whales out at sea. After some internet digging I've managed to find out the artist is a local by the name of Leigh McIntyre Lomas. I've been unable to find much information on this person however i did find an article from 2015 which explains that Leigh helped an organization we have here in NZ called IDEA Services (who help people with intellectual disabilities).

Linking up with Monday Murals.

Happy New Year for 2020

Tomorrow brings a new year and a new decade for us down under tomorrow - I am working like many others are. Our town has been swamped with out of towners - the roads are chaotic, the shops are jam packed and there are traffic blockages. 

In the morning a few events are happening in local towns around us. In Warkworth there is the annual rodeo and in Waipu they have the Highland Games, which I haven't been to in about 10 years.  The sound of the bagpipes just melts my heart so I'll have to make do with some of my Scottish records.

Tonight we no doubt won't be staying up to see in the new year so a Happy New Year for 2020 for you :-)

Linking up with Our World Tuesday.

Lots of people - no thanks!

A couple of weeks ago we stopped in Warkworth, a town about 45 minutes away. We really didn't want to go there as they had an annual event going called the "Kowhai Festival". Kowhai is one of our country's trees. It flowers in Spring and has lovely yellow blooms that attract the Tui.

I don't do large groups of people, I just don't - I 'd rather be with maybe 2 or 3 people at the most, I just find it too crowded in these sorts of situations. The main streets were closed off and it was hard to find parking.

The roads are full of different stalls - anything like real estate, political parties, crafts, foods, charities, clothing etc.  Apparently it's been running every year in October since 1970 and has been extremely popular even since.

Warkworth is one of those places that has grown immensely, 20-30 years ago it was a small country town - now it has branched out with those moving out of Auckland.

Anyway, after doing what we had to do we were glad to get out of there and head home.

The 10km Puhoi River

On the day we moved to Kerikeri my daughter and I left an hour before the other 2, when we arrived we were an hour late. This is one of the reasons why. The Puhoi River is situated just out of Auckland and just before the town of Warkworth. Such a lovely quiet little town. This river flows southeast from it's source 10 kilometres through Warkworth, through Puhoi then ending at the coast of Whangaparaoa Peninsula. It's mostly used by Kayakers who enjoy the local scenery.

I hope your week has been good so far. For me it's been pretty insane. My 2 days off start today and I have absolutely no plans but to relax. Daylight savings started today so us Southern Hemispherers put our clocks forward last night in preparation of Summer.

The beauty of Sandspit, north of Auckland

Yesterday I managed a quick visit to the lovely Sandspit which is about 10 mins drive out of Warkworth, north of Auckland. It's so quiet & peaceful here, not many houses around the area but there is a yacht club and a wharf where the boat leaves for Kawau island.

This image of boats moored in the estuary just gives it more of a perfect holiday destination especially on this sunny, warm winter's day.

Great food, great coffee - Ginger Cafe, Warkworth

This morning was one of those lazy Saturdays where I enjoyed time with a good friend.  They make great coffees with a real oomph to them and lovely food.

It's the Ginger Cafe in Warkworth, north of Auckland. Despite it being a busy little eatery all the waiting staff are friendly and happy to help. This is definitely one of my favourite places!

Snorkeling at Matheson Bay - December 2013

Here's one I took just before Christmas last year. The teens love to visit different beaches, this is one of their favourites called Matheson Bay. This man and his wife were getting ready to go snorkeling. Not sure if they ended up catching anything but some divers that came out after he went in came back with a bad full of Kina.

Coffee with the teens at The Farmhouse Cafe

Over the summer holidays the teens and I have kept busy. While food shopping in Warkworth the teens and I, only a rather cloudy drizzly day spent some time looking round op shops & having lunch at the very nice Farmhouse Cafe.  It's not often you get rain at this time of year but it's been very welcome so no complaining from this end :-)