Sunday 16 September 2018

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.

12 comments:

Susan Heather said...

Lovely photos. A friend phoned me a couple of hours ago to say they had just visited and that the bluebells should be at their peak in a couple of weeks which is when we are planning to visit. It was 'ROLAND' Sansom who created it hence Roland's wood.

Amy said...

ahhh thanks Susan, typo on my part, have now amended it - thinks this head cold has muddled my brain.

local alien said...

What an array of colour! You have a wonderland around you now.
Hope the cold gets better soon

gz said...

(O)

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Gorgeous photos Amy. Roland's wood is an absolute picture, the wildflowers are so pretty. I think you are right, it will look fabulous in autumn also, looking forward to seeing it 😊

William Kendall said...

Spring is certainly making itself known there.

Billy Blue Eyes said...

Nice woodland to walk around.
Almsehouses are for usually Poor Widows and are looked after by a charitable trust. They are normaly provided by a rich benifactor. Workhouses on the other habd are just that and tend to be where poor are sent if they are in debt

Bill said...

What a pretty place to explore. The flowers are looking good.

Andrea said...

What a lovely area you have there! It is so lovely to walk such well maintained parks and under trees. I love hiking in those areas like that in NZ, hopefully i will be back soon and might use your blog for reference. Thanks for visiting my posts too.

Sharon said...

Oh my gosh, I'm actually drooling! These photos are wonderful. This looks like a perfect place for a hike and to take in all that nature has to offer. Fantastic.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Beautiful place to walk...the bluebells and all the flowers and green, just perfect. Wonderful that it is now open to the public. ... we were both so interested in your comment on mine that you also have a Redwoods Park. We went to Google to read more about it. Thanks for letting us know that...I learn a lot from your blog .

NatureFootstep said...

so much to see on the forest floor in this forest :) Beautiful.

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