New Zealand Adventures - Part Three: Heading North & Waro Rocks

Monday 14th March was the perfect day to head north.  Our person planned to drive up to visit her friend in Whangarei for a few days and then head up to Kerikeri for a couple of days.  We were very excited as had heard all about both Whangarei and Kerikeri from Hitty Madge who went last year.

We had a good view of the road ahead.

On the way up Highway 16 we stopped at a lovely look out point and could see the Kaipara Harbour in the distance.

The scenery was stunning and our person felt quite emotional seeing it again - it bought back some wonderful memories of various trips she has made in the past.

Here we are - you can't beat the blue sky with hills and harbour in the background.

It was a bit hard posing with the three of us!

Our person's friend Rosemary lives on 10 acres just outside of Whangarei and has a beautiful property that backs on to hills.

Her garden was looking lovely.

We enjoyed having a tour of the garden.

A perfect Hitty sized pumpkin!

Lovely flowers in the garden.

The following day Rosemary took us out to see the Waro Rocks, LakeWaro and walk round the Yvonne Stewart track.  You can just see us sitting on the size.  A close up was taken, but well it didn't flatter us one iota - we were just blurs so we decided to omit that picture.

The History of the Lake can be read about here.

This beautiful lake has been made from what was the quarry at what is now this lovely Scenic Reserve.  More can be read about it here and here.

Isn't it just beautiful?

The rocks were all sorts of different shapes and sizes.

Round the other side of the lake we stop for a breather and to take in the view.

This is one of the smaller rocks!

We felt rather small ourselves sitting on it.

There were some informative boards along the walk for us to learn about the history of the place.

Fascinating!

Some Black Shags and a pair of Paradise ducks enjoying the lake.

More to come tomorrow...

New Zealand Adventures - Part Two - Meeting Friends & Omeru Scenic Reserve

One lovely afternoon Hitty Helen R, Hitty Helen M and Hitty Madge went with their person to visit her friend.

They enjoyed sitting beside the charming fish pond to watch the fish.

.

The sun was shining and the fish were enjoying the food sprinkled in for them.

The girls gazed across the paddocks..

...and enjoyed a swing on the chair with their friends Wren and Linnet who were also catching up with each other after almost a year apart.

Later on they ventured up to Omeru Scenic Reserve to see the waterfalls.

They sat in front on Waitangi Stream Cascade and enjoyed listening to the water.

It was such a lovely afternoon.

Hitty Helen M

Hitty Helen R

Hitty Madge

The waterfalls were looking great - although it had been a hot summer there had also been enough rain at times to ensure the waterfalls were showing to full advantage.

The water truly sparkled!

Two Hitty Helens' New Zealand Adventures - Part One: The Journey and Orewa Beach

Way back on 22nd February, Hitty Helen R and Hitty Helen M set off with Hitty Madge to New Zealand.

They pose for their photograph in front of the Air New Zealand plane they are soon to board.

A closer look at the aircraft.   

It is going to be a very long flight and they hope they can sleep through most of it.

They wait patiently in the lounge ready to board.

As if by magic they arrive and  before they know it they are sitting on Orewa Beach  late afternoon a few days later having fish and chips, including kumera chips which were quite a novelty to them.

They are amazed at the size of the beach and the expanse of sand and can't wait to go back another day.

Their wish is soon to be granted it seems.

They can't wait to get down on to the beach...

The two Hitty Helens are so delighted with the warm weather.

The three girls spent a pleasant 1/2 hour wandering along the beach before it was time to venture back.