Trip Reports,  June-July 2013

Cambridge Tree Walk
9 June 2013

As 32 of us walked down the main road through Cambridge in steady rain, we passed between the magnificent London Plane trees and noticed the mosaics of “equine stars” on the pavement, before reaching a striking sculpture of a mare and her foal. 

In the town we saw a unique building: the old GPO which was damaged in the big Napier earthquake and was repaired and extended the following year, thus having the insignia of King Edward VII at one end and King Edward VIII at the other!

 The Japanese Momo fir and Himalayan spruce in the Souter House garden were the next attraction, before we walked over Victoria Bridge (over a century old) and down to the Waikato River.  Here we walked along the rushing waters to the next bridge which, though built before the Victoria Bridge, was not as old due to the original having collapsed.  

Returning on the other side of the river, we encountered a small waterfall, greatly swollen on the day, but very few of the many species of fungi we had spotted on the recce.

 By now many of us were thoroughly soaked and ready for lunch, which we had in the museum garden before having a look through this little gem of a
collection.  The rain cleared then, so we enjoyed both lunch and museum.

Our final walk was to the Cambridge Domain, the site of a volcanic crater. Tracks led down to the crater lake and we walked around it admiring the autumn colours before climbing back up to where the bus waited.

Farrell's sculpture of mare and foal.

Momo fir (L) & Himalayan spruce

Going down to the river

Thanks to Des, John, Praemi and Sharleen for doing the recce and mustering the group on this rainy day.

The older end of the GPO building

Auckland Botanic Gardens & Totara Park
23 June 2013

The best - known camellia - tea! (Camelia sinensis)

Starting the climb through Totara park

It threatened rain but we didn’t mind that, as we looked forward
to seeing the Gardens as few people do.  The Botanic Gardens aren’t simply a collection of pretty flowers and big trees; the native and endangered tree collection is impressive, the Camelias are stunning at this time of year, the water features and sculptures are restful to be around and the different exotic areas of the gardens are interesting and educational.

We first met up with old friends of the Club, Trish and her grandson Damian, and had a good walk around most of the Botanic Gardens.  As we returned to the café for morning tea, the rain came down and was almost over when we headed for Totara Park.

The walk to Totara Park was invigorating, with some steep climbs – just what we needed to keep ourselves warm. 
We passed a couple of “waterfalls” that wouldn’t have existed in the summer months, climbed up interminable steps, only to descend almost as many steps, it seemed!
 
However, it was a good work-out and the view from the very top was wonderful!  It was not clear enough to be able to see Te Aroha, but the waters of the Manukau Harbour were easily visible.  Coming out of the park at the Redoubt Road end, we had our lunch watching some horses being groomed and
being made ready for action the following day.  
 
Thanks to Derek’s good organisation we had an early return home.

 

On a well kept track through Totara Park

The cattle were sitting, predicting more rain!

Eden Gardens and Mt Eden
7 July

It was a beautiful, calm morning to enjoy the Eden Gardens, all to ourselves. We climbed to the top lookout to enjoy the view over the gardens and out to the Gulf.  We explored the paths at will, and saw some of the 6000 bulbs sprouting, also some vireyas and early camellias in bloom.  After a relaxing coffee at the café we walked to Withiel Reserve, then climbed Mt Eden to enjoy lunch with a view.  The small numbers of walkers allowed for some divergence and a steady wander through this attractive area of Mt Eden. 
Thank you Brenda for planning this lovely day and Margaret B for leading.  

 

A tui was hiding amongst the camellia blooms.

Hillary Heights

Kanako and Kevin in Withiel Thomas Park.

St Heliers Parks and Reserves
21 July

A relaxing mid-winter walk on a great day.   Parking at Glover Park, we walked up and along the cliff top of Glover Park and across the road to Churchill Park, part of which is still a working farm. From here we went on down to Roberta Reserve and then crunched our way across the shells  to Sandy Point  It was low tide and at this point we were very close to Bucklands Beach.  We continued on through the Tahuna Torea Nature Reserve to Kotae Beach Reserve where we stopped for lunch - watched by hopeful gulls and a random pukeko -  before starting our return back to our cars.    A great day enjoyed by all.
Thanks to Derek and Gail.

Looking across to Rangitoto

Sue on the boardwalk, Tahuna Torea Nature Reserve.

Up close and personal with a banana tree flower!

Sandspit at low tide.