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!

Creative Kawakawa 4

Kawakawa is famous for the Hundertwasser Toilets (left). I didn't realise that there was a lesser known but just as attractive 24 hour facility behind the more famous establishment.

Creative Kawakawa 3

Creative Kawakawa 2

Creative Kawakawa 1

State Highway 1, Kawakawa

Yes. The railway runs right down the middle of State Highway 1 in Kawakawa.

Bay of Islands Vintage Railway

It's over a month since we went on holiday to the Bay of Islands but life's been pretty hectic since then and I've only just managed to go through all my photos. But seeing as I didn't manage to send any postcards, I think you'll probably all still want to see our snaps.

White Rabbits!

Karekare 4

Karekare 3

Karekare 2

Karekare 1

Mt Taranaki

Orchard

The orchard at the Kaipara Coast Sculpture Gardens was in full bloom with blossom on the apple, almond, plum, nectarine and peach trees. It was actually even more impressive than the sculpture.

Last of the summer flowers

Most parts of the Kaipara Coast Sculpture Gardens were moving into spring but I found just one hydrangea blossom that was still hanging on from last summer.

Recycled Rust

These were my favourite finds at the Kaipara Coast Sculpture Gardens.

Kaipara Coast

We took a trip up SH16 a few weeks ago to visit the Kaipara Coast Sculpture Gardens, before the 2012 trail was closed for new works to be installed. I was delighted to find that the competition to design a mailbox had been held again and was quite taken with this entry. It wouldn't solve the problem of our mail getting soggy though.

White Rabbits!