Very quiet Oponini

This is one very quiet place in the off season times of Autumn, Winter and Spring. Oponini is located on the west coast of Northland. In 1855, John Webster, who had arrived in New Zealand in 1841, bought 700 acres of rough land at Opononi and established a homestead and pastoral farm which he developed into a showplace, entertaining vice-royalty several times. He also built a wharf, gum-store and a trading store. In 1894, Webster put the house and farm on the market. The store and gum store were taken over by Alfred Sprye Andrewes who later converted the gum store into a two storey hotel.

Opononi became famous throughout New Zealand in the summer of 1955 and 1956 due to the exploits of a dolphin called Opo. The Opononi Post and Telephone was opened in 1892 and operated until 1989. The road between Opononi and Omapere was developed in the mid 1930s leading to ribbon development. In 1959, a fire destroyed the Opononi Hotel and Opononi Store. Information from: Hokianga Tourism.

On the brief time we were there it was very quiet, the pub was closed and the only sign of action was a fishing charter taking people out into the harbour. A nice spot, but a bit too quiet for me.

It's all on in the vege garden

Over the last 6 weeks or so I've been watching my vege garden quite closely. The plants have gone from being tiny seedlings to being about 3/4 way grown.

That's about the size of it - this was fully built and full of soil when we first moved in, all we had to add was some manure and water.

As I've mentioned previously I like the idea of companion planting which is adding herbs and certain flowering plants to combat those nasties we don't like in our gardens. The Calendula plants have just started flowering and the basil, mint and parsley are growing nicely. All up I have in there miniature Silverbeet, Beetroot, Red Lettuce, Green Lettuce, Broccoli and Cauliflower.

Linking up with Our World Tuesday.

A spring visit to Roland's Wood

Earlier today, as it's day 1 of my 2 days off every week we got out to explore a local place called "Roland's Wood".

This is somewhere that you could liken to an English woodland with a Kiwi twist. Lots of blossoms and Magnolia flowers.

But also carpets of Bluebells covering the ground as well as various Beech trees, Oaks, Gingko, Tupelo.

Different pathways to different areas of the park made it a nice Spring outing - good to get out especially as I'm getting over a head cold.

Pink and red Rhododendrons lined one of the pathways near the top.

This Rhododendron bush was near lots of clumps of Daffodils and Jonquils.

The other half walking along one pathway further down the hill. We didn't realize though until we were starting to leave that it is actually a dog park and there were some very well behaved pups there wandering around.

Lots of orange Clivia also enjoying the woodland scene. This park was originally owned by a local man named Roland Sansom who retired in Kerikeri and bought this 30 acres of land from his parents.

It was here that he started planting Bluebells along with various trees, shrubs and bulbs in 1985.

Sadly he passed away in 2001 but the area is now owned by a trust and under the care of the Far North District Council. I'd like to see what everything looks like once Autumn comes in March/April so maybe I'll be back to visit then.

Camping at Rangiputa

Rangiputa Beach is one place that is so just peaceful and beautiful. This tiny wee beach side settlement is located within the Karikari peninsula and consists of 2 settlements - 1 is Whatuwhiwhi and the 2nd is Tokerau beach. Very quiet, beach and when we were there exploring it we were the only ones around except for someone launching their boat from the ramp.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

Mystery object at Taupo Bay

When the other half and I stopped at Taupo Bay a few months ago on our Northland journey we spotted this strange looking thing on the beach with pieces of driftwood in it.

At first I thought it was some kind of sink or basin then we realized it looked like an old washing machine bottom, like one of the retro wringer ones our parents probably had. Looks like it's been well used.

Linking up with Our World Tuesday.

Bees and lavender

We don't own our house, we rent it - apparently it was owned by an elderly lady before the currrent owner purchased it. It has quite an amazing garden, in the front there is a mixture of cottage garden type perennials and annuals plus some miniature natives like flax.

Around the back there are 2 large lavender plants - I'm quite amazed how many bees are covering it at the moment, they just seem to love them. Bees are one insect I try to encourage and in my vege garden I have some cauliflower, broccoli, calendula, marigolds, beetroot, parsley, thyme, salads and lettuces and spinach. I'm very aware of planting the companion way where you put herbs next to certain vegetables, it's a more natural way to garden. Hopefully by Summer there will be bees and ladybirds in there too keeping the nasties away.

Summer days at 90 Mile beach

This is one place I want to get back to once Summer comes from December until March. 90 Mile Beach is one of those places that goes on and on stretching from Kaitaia up to Cape Reinga. It's on the west coast of our North Island and is approx 88 miles long.

Its beach and sand dunes are popular with tourists - this area has been the culprit of quite a few shipwrecks in the old days. Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear drove along here in one of their episodes with James May.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.