April 1st was our last day trip out. It couldn't have been a nicer day, the sun was shining and the sky an amazing blue and it was of course wonderfully warm. Today we went to Shakespear Regional Park on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula. It has been surrounded by a huge 1.7km predator fence and work on eradicating pests and keeping them out of the park has been going on since 2011. In 2011 when Dad and I last went there, work had just begun.
The view of Rangitoto in the distance, I grew up with this iconic landmark.
I remember a rhyme or song we used to sing when I was at school
'Three little chimney pots, sitting on Rangitoto...they all blew up, never to blow again'
Istayed at Motutapu Island, just behind Rangitoto when a child and have walked up this volcano.
The beach is lovely, wonderful soft sand and beautiful blue clear water.
I very much enjoyed strolling along the beach, looking for sea shells.
What could be nicer?
Just wandering, dreaming and taking in the wonderful fresh clean air. No noise apart from nature doing its work.
My Mum & Dad enjoyed their walk as well.
Of course there was the fabulous bird life.
Oyster Catchers
Dotterels
Reflections
Another glimpse of Rangitoto from a different angle
In pairs, walking side by side
Searching for food.
Putting on a show
Who you trying to impress?
There are some wonderful walks that we have done in the past, but not this time, we just kept to the easy beach and off beach track.
The area is steeped in history.
Parkland
Bush
There are information and warning signs up, requesting you take care of the bush.
Maps of various walks.
We decide to go on this walk.
I enjoyed walking through the lovely native bush
So peaceful and nice and shaded after the heat of the sun.
Strolling along the boardwalk
Marvelling at the plants
Discovering holes, nooks and crannies
Which of course had to be peered in.
Hello, anyone at home?
It seems not.
I wander on.
We come to a little waterfall, that had no water! The summer has just been too dry.
Chatting
Posing!
Just a hint of a trickle may be?
Back along the track we go.
Reflections.
A series of information boards.
We got to see...the Tui, the New Zealand Wood Pigeon
Paradise Ducks, Pukeko
Part of the park was acquired b the army during WWII and the end of the peninsula was an important defence site during the war. The arm constructed a range of defences including pill boxes, searchlights, electrified barbed wire entanglements and an anti-tank ditch. Some of these still remain and are highlighted on the heritage trail, which unfortunately we couldn't do this time. The Ministry of Defence still continues to use some of the adjacent land.
These information signs tell us about the fences and defences in the past and present.
We were lucky enough to see this little Grey Warbler
Pukeko
The fabulous Tui
The NZ Wood Pigeon enjoying the flowers/fruits of the Cabbage Tree
Awesome photos, I do love that one of the tui.
ReplyDeleteI've just caught up with all your posts since I left New Zealand and I have to say that I feel totally emotionally drained with tears running down my cheeks. I was on the beaches in the warmth looking at this familiar views and those familiar birds (spectacularly wonderful Tui photos as I've commented before). The idea that I might not see them again just is devastating.
ReplyDeleteOh I am so sorry about this, but can to some extent fully understand how you feel. I have been feeling much like this since I got back for many reasons. A huge part is of course the country, the space, the views, the warm, the people but of course for me also are the family that I have left behind, Mum with Alzheimer's and my Dad having Prostate Cancer and not being there for them. To have ties and experiences of both the UK and NZ is especially difficult due to the distance. It has left me feeling rather out of place, or out of sorts since I have been back...difficult to explain really. I've been planning to write a blog post about it, but haven't been able to find quite the words.
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