Sunday 9 Dec
We drove around 5 hours to New Plymouth. This is
the first time on the motorways, as last visit we avoided them, so we
got to see some new towns and scenery. Purple Agapanthus lillies are
flowering everywhere, and there are also lots of Hydrangeas which
have been planted, but thrive without care along the roadsides. Once
we settled into our accommodation Braemar Motor Inn (cheap but clean)
it was time for a walk downtown to get a few supplies, before a
longer walk along the Coastal Walk towards the Port. Dinner was
delicious NZ organic free-range pork chops, broccoli, white sweet
potato and NZ Chardonnay.
Monday 10 Dec
We decided to go South-west, and pulled into a road which seemed to
lead to some shorter walks up the Kaitake Range. The area was called
Lucy's Gully and we walked up Waimoku Track through stands of huge
pine trees.
Darryl went a bit further up the track than me, but we
arrived back about the same time, as I took it very easy going
downhill, so as not to risk my knee. This was a really beautiful
area. Next stop was down to the edge of the Tasman Sea to look at the
wreck of the 'Gairloch' on the rocks. This was from 1903, and most
has rotted away, but a few iron spines still point to the sky.
Then
further around Mt Taranaki was the Pukeiti Gardens. The Rhododendrons,
which are featured here, were almost at the end of their flowering,
and the Giant Himalayan Lillies were about to start, but we did find
some of each in flower. There were lots of other colourful and
interesting plants, and as well as plenty of NZ natives along the
walks. A huge colourful pigeon was a highlight of the walk.
After lunch we drove back towards the coast and the clouds lifted and
we were treated to some fabulous views of Mt Taranaki over lush green
fields.
The next stop was Tupare Gardens. These cascade down the side
of a hill to the Waiwhakaiho River, which bounds the gardens along
two sides. Darryl cooked delicious gluten-free herb sausages for
dinner.
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