Tahuna Torea Reserve

Spring is right around the corner and we are realizing maybe this will be the rainy season this year in Auckland.  We have had more rain this past week than usual.  We still had a mild day Saturday so checked out the Tahuna Torea Reserve again along the Tamaki Estuary.  With this tramp we have pretty much covered the whole area surrounding Tamaki Estuary.  We were treated to breathtaking views of the bay and surrounding areas as well as a well marked bush walk, mangrove lagoon, and sandy beach.  Our hiking boots got a work out in the muddy areas.

You have to love these wooden paths through the bush --- all well maintained by the Auckland Council.

A view across the estuary from Point England.

This pukeko was a happy bird --- a woman with a whole basket of bread was providing teatime for all the birds.

A little history for you!

It rained all Saturday night and we woke up to very overcast skies.  After a wonderful skype with Hunter, Beth, (love the painting) and Katie (love the new hair), we decided to go back to one of our favorite coastal walks along Mission Bay and up to Achilles Point.

This is a view of Rangitoto Island from Mission Bay as we started our walk.  That little cloud expanded and expanded and finally let loose on the return stretch. It continued to pour for the rest of the afternoon.  We were glad to stop at a cozy restaurant and watch the sturdy kiwis nonchalantly walking in the rain.  

"Rain, Rain, go away

Come again some other day".......

Wait a minute I didn't mean rain again on Monday ------

Animals --- Harbors ----- Art

We visited yet another regional park Saturday.  Ambury Park included a peaceful shore walk along with an opportunity to observe several farm animals.  It was a mild overcast day that held off on the real downpour until we were home and ready for a movie.

We just can't get enough of these little cuties------

And I couldn't pass on this huge pig.  There were 5 little piglets in the shed.

Off to Beachlands on Sunday.  This is the last beach on our peninsula.

We were able to follow this track to Pine Harbor where we did enjoy tea at a bordering cafe.  It was a beautiful day.

David relaxing!

Pine Harbor

David with his life boat!

And this guy peaking over the gate seemed to welcome all to the Beachlands neighborhood.  Trav, I think he would fit right in at your house.  

Although our weekends have been filled with walks and tramps through regional parks and all the local beaches,  the week days have been filled with beautiful gardens and art work.

Huge lilies along our back fence

Orange Flowers near our side deck.

Beautiful arbor in front garden

My first painting

A zumba dancer for a little pick me up for a fellow zumba dancer in my class.

Oh yeah --- You know what that means!!!

Rain ----- Rain

Well we finally have seen what a few days of rain showers and heavy rain storms can look like.  The sun might pop out and trick you and then a heavy downpour might follow.  Perfect for snuggling on the couch with a movie.  We did sneak in a quick walk at the Macleans Road Reserve which starts in an open field, winds through the bush and ends up at Eastern Beach.  Here are a few photos.

Walking through the bush actually protects you from the rain.

Chris, Carol,  Archie the dog, David, and Rachel at Eastern Beach.  The water was greenish blue with the storm.

Sunday proved to be a perfect day for the Auckland War Memorial Museum.  This is a beautiful museum in downtown Auckland.  David navigated beautifully with  his Garmin giving directions.  The museum has 3 floors with a huge Marine Exhibition, Pacific Islanders history and culture, a beautiful Maori Exhibition,  a Natural History exhibition with a highly interactive gallery on volcanoes, and the top floor is a War Memorial.

David is examining Rajah, Auckland Zoo's famous wayward elephant whose unpredictable behavior led to an early demise.  He has been a resident at the museum since 1930 and is at the entrance to "wild Child" a very interesting exploration of play and routine that transformed the wild colonial child of the 1880's into the modern child of the 1950's.  The clothes and toys of the 50's were very familiar to me. I especially enjoyed a display of puppets used to develop language and reading.

I was fascinated by the Taonga Maori (Maori Treasures).  This was a storage house owned by a leader in the community ---- a sign of prestige.  Red ochre was common in many buildings and statues to signify the blood that was shed.

Maori statues representing ancestors

This is the last great Maori war canoe (Te Toki a Tapiri).  It is carved from a giant totara tree.  It  held 100 warriors.  This picture does not do it justice!

The marine exhibit allowed you to get face to face with New Zealand underwater life and the Natural History exhibit placed you in a small room that experienced a simulated volcano.  Oh Yeah --- I jumped!

One other interesting display was entitled "murder house" -- It was a dental office with a dental chair and "the drill".......

Great Museum and rainy day adventure!

Continuing to Ramble---

Saturday started with our typical visit to the Howick Market for veggies, pita, and hummus.

It was proving to be a mild day although rain had been forecasted.  So off to explore.  We joined the dog brigade at a noted wetlands reserve which had a well marked trail but seemed more appealing to the 4 legged crowd.  Feeling the need for more walking we returned to the Pakarunga Rotary Walkway from a few weeks back and took a different trail that culminated at the Panmure Bridge.  I'll let the pictures do the talking.

View of Mt. Wellington

Hmmmmmmm  David looks awfully excited about this boat ----- Is this a dream come true?

The clouds do move in but "No Worries" we have our LLBean Rain coats.

Sunday was onto the ferry to Auckland and then to Devonport,  a picturesque seaside village.

We were drawn there by the Crafts Market but really enjoyed the charm of the village stores and cafes. 

We walked up Mount Victoria which again provides a panoramic view of Waitemata Harbor and Auckland City across the way.

David in the bunker with one of the few remaining disappearing guns.  Mount Victoria was a military position for an expected Russian invasion.

We also visited the Torpedo Bay Naval Museum which provides the history of the Royal New Zealand Navy.  David enjoyed taking the following picture -----

And then of course built into any adventure,  tea time.

That's our friend Carol joining us for a wonderful day at Devonport ---- again a mild, sunny day when rain had been forecasted.

I will sign off with a picture of a black swan from the dog park.