Our Kumerahou in full bloom

This small self set Kumerahou by the boardwalk to our deck is in full bloom.

Aren't We Beautiful

Three Piwakawaka chicks in the Kanuka viewed from our deck. They await their next meal from a parent.

Kiwi Calling

Most nights for the last couple of months we have been hearing a male Kiwi calling in our valley.
Every day we see Brown and Californian Quail.
The wetland chirps almost continually with the calls from the many Matata.
Today the Banded Rail added its squawk.
Yesterday morning we heard the Spotless Crake.
Pi, Melva's friendly Piwakawaka, has a mate and a nest. It continually shuttles back and forth from the compost bin to the Manuka where their nest is located.
Riroriro warbles its bell like call in the Kanuka. No sign of nesting but they must be nesting near.
Pipiwharauroa sings and sings from the bush.
The bittern flew over again yesterday.
There is a lot happening at our place.
Take a walk on the yellow tracks and boardwalk shown in the picture below.

Spring - How the seasons change

Spring - Currently around our property we have Manuka, Mingimingi, Toropapa, Kowhai, Kowhai Ngutukaka, Puawānanga, Koromiko, Mairahau, Kumerahou, Hangehange, Coprosma, Batchelors Buttons, Rosemary and other garden plants in flower. All year round there is always something in flower
Great for our bees emerging into spring and beginning to expand the hives.
We also have Cailfornian Quail, Brown Quail, Matata, Tui, Piwakawaka, Kukupa and all our other bird friends about looking for mates.

Winter Holiday in New Zealand - North Island by Camper Van

On July 26th we picked up our Opollo Camper in Auckland and headed South. On our three week holiday at last. Our route took us to Wellington via New Plymouth and West of Mt Egmont then back to Auckland via Wanganui Stratford, Taumarunui, Tokaanu, Rotorua, Whakatane, Tauranga, and Katikati.

We had lots of interesting stops and side trips throughout.
Highlights were:

• Mt Messenger Bush views at the tunnel on the way to Mokau and New Plymouth.

• Mt Egmont

• New Plymouth Coastal Walkway and bridge

• Paritutu Rock - New Plymouth

• Cape Egmont Historic Lighthouse

• Kaupokonui Beach

• Turuturumokai Historic Pa Reserve - Hawera

• Hawera Water Tower - No photo

 

• Waiinu Beach

• Wanganui - Durie Hill Elevator and Tower War Memorial and Historic buildings.

• Foxton Windmill and Flax Stripping Museum.

• Paraparaumu - Southwards Car Museum.

 

• Wellington - Cable Car, Zeelandia, Pencarrow Head Lighthouses. South coast to Owhiro Bay.

• Stratford - Glockenspiel

• Dawsons Falls & Wilkies Pools on Mt Egmont

• The Forgotten Highway - State Highway 43 to Whangamomona and on to Taumarunui. Beautiful old growth bush reserves. Whangamomona Pub.

• Tokaanu - Hot pools. Free camp at the boat club.

• Orakie Korako Geothermal Park.

• Waiotapu - Free geothermal mud pool on Waiotapu Loop Road.

• Rotorua - Top 10 Campground with thermal pools. A walk through Kurau Park.

• Whakatane - Kiwi Boy sculpture. Kapu Te Rangi Historic Reserve and lookouts.

• Waihi - Historic Ti Tree Cafe Eatery

• Of course we liked our Van