2012: Looking Back

Mt Ruapehu 2

Mt Ruapehu 1

Camoflage

Lunch in the sun

Lollies

Happy Christmas!

Fencepost

Weka

The campsite where we stayed in Russell was teeming with birdlife including a number of noisy weka or native hens. I probably shouldn't have fed them toast crusts but I did.

Woodshed

Monarch Butterfly

Sea Fresh Oysters

Hedgehog Crossing

Russell Church

Old Russell

These are just some of Russell's lovely old buildings. The Pompallier Mission is in the top left and New Zealand's first Customhouse is bottom right.

Russell Wharf

Duke of Marlborough, Russell

Bay of Islands

Okiato Walkway 6

Okiato Walkway 5

Okiato Walkway 4

Okiato Walkway 3

Okiato Walkway 2

Most of the walkway was lined by native plants but we found this lovely touch of English springtime at the end of the boardwalk.

Okiato Walkway 1

The Okiato Walkway runs across the mangroves between Russell and the car ferry port at Okiato. 

Dotted amongst the mangroves are blue-tinged manganese boulders which fell from a flying-fox which carried rock in a bucket from the mine atop Mt Tikitikioure.  

Boat Shed

Russell Ferry

Russell Harbour

Four Square, Russell

We stayed in Russell during our Northland trip. This little colonial town is famous for its beautiful old buildings, some of the oldest in the country. I don't think that the Four Square supermarket on the wharf is one of those but it is one of my favourites.

Kawakawa Backstreets

Lava Tree

This unique sculpture can be seen from the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway.

White Rabbits!