Kerikeri - Fairy & Rainbow Falls

As mentioned before. one of my favourite places in New Zealand is Kerikeri and I always enjoy the walk from the Kerikeri Basin through the bush to Fairy and Rainbow Falls.  

Fairy Falls.

It is just so tranquil

Listening to the water running over the rocks.

Loved the shape of this - reminded us of a face... the keeper of the trees.

Rainbow Falls.

I think I have shown this photo in my 'highlights' the other week,, but loved the way the light shone through this fungi growing on the tree.

Of course the New Zealand bush is never complete without lovely little fantails flitting around.

A Walk around Stowe Gardens.

Mark and I have been going out most days recently - making the most of the sunny weather while we have it.  I think on average we have been walking 6 - 8 miles a day, so should be getting fit as well.

Today we went to Stowe Gardens.  It was lovely and quiet as all the school holidays are now over and all the children are back to school.

We try to visit places we can take Percy to, and this is one of them and he enjoys the walks as much as we do.

This little finch was flitting around the outside eating area...hoping for scraps no doubt!

Not sure what this plant is, but it was quite unusual and attractive.

Stowe has a huge amount of unusual buildings and monuments.  This of course is built in a Gothic style.

There were some cute lambs in the fields.

The Chinese House - I think we missed this last time we were there.

Looking up towards the fields with the sheep and lambs in and also the Gothic House.

The Folly

Loved the reflections.

It was an enjoyable afternoon walk.

Ashridge Estate

Yesterday we enjoyed a walk through Ashridge Estate to Ivanhoe Beacon and back again.  The day was lovely, although there was quite a bitter nip to the air.  I had a t shirt, two jumpers and a gillet on as well as my warm woolly hat!  But nevertheless it was an enjoyable 6 mile walk.

The valley of Incombe Hole

Windmill in the distance

The chalk lion on the hill that can be seen from the approach to the beacon.

Hawk soaring through the air.

Caterpillar

The beacon marker ...some how I thought it would be a bit more impressive than this.

Walking back through the woods of Ashridge Estate you can see the bluebells almost in bloom - we must go back next week as they will look glorious!

A tree trunk covered in vines.

Painting in NZ

I bought some acrylic paints and an art pad while I was away in NZ....the 'paper'/canvas was not quite what I expected though and wasn't the nicest to paint on.   Here are my efforts....not especially happy with them, but good to keep practising and trying different things.

Heron on rock.

Late night fishing

Grey

Pencil sketch of a rifleman.

Staying in Kerikeri, New Zealand.

I managed to have a few days away while in New Zealand and hired a car for a week so I could visit my friend in Whangarei and then drive on to Kerikeri to stay - one of my favourite places in New Zealand.

I went with a lovely friend who lives across the road and up the hill to my Mum and Dad.  It was great fun to have company and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  We stayed a couple of nights in a fabulous Motel called Avalon Resort.  It was so peaceful and quiet and we would have liked to have stayed a third night (or even longer if I had had the time and money!), but unfortunately it was booked for the Friday night. 

It is set down in a little valley, well off the road, so just perfect.  Only four individual Lodges and a few units by the pool area, we had 'Air' which was the one furtherest away so very private which is just the sort of thing I look for when staying somewhere.  We had an enjoyable spa on Wednesday, the first night after a late afternoon hike and enjoying a fabulous meal at 'The Pear Tree' in the Kerikeri basin.  Actually the meal was so good we went back there the second night and I ordered the same dish!  Venison - it was cooked to perfection.

The photos of Avalon Resort where we stayed.  Paradise!

Looking down from our lodge.

Looking back up at it.

The spa pool

Naturally spring swimming pool.

Fish pond.

The room I slept in.

Lounge and dining area.