Wonderful Winter

My lovely Mum passed away a few weeks ago at the ripe old age of 88; I missed seeing her by a handful of days and then had a weather-disrupted trip to New Plymouth in order to give her a good send-off. Big bouquets to the staff of Stewart Island Flights and Air New Zealand who rearranged flights with compassion and efficiency.

A small change to my blog; I've intercepted some malware so have now disabled comments completely. It's a shame as your legitimate comments are much valued and encourage me to continue. I've just upgraded to wireless broadband so now have enough data to update Windows AND have some left over for blogging!

While I was in New Plymouth I spent a lovely sunny afternoon in Brooklands and Pukekura Park...

Bowl of Brooklands stage

Michael Smither's sculpture 'Aotearoa' in the lily pond

Pukekura Park water wheel

Kauri walk Brooklands Park

Pukekura Park Fountain Lake

News of another storm moving up the country looked as though it could disrupt my return travel. The morning of my flight to Christchurch dawned sunny and clear but then dark clouds gathered...

Early morning with the front moving in

My flight was at 11am and although it was delayed by 10 minutes we flew over the storm front and landed in Christchurch after it had gone through - now that's one way to avoid bad weather!

Back in the 'Naki

The nice thing about being back in New Plymouth was being able to make a cuppa for my Mum - and to give her a break from cooking dinner, washing the dishes and making the bed. Our elders of excellence are often misplaced in our hectic lives and it was good to be able to 'mother' her for a few days.

I've lived on Rakiura for over four years and the difference between island and city living magnifies with each visit. I notice the rubbish and the traffic more and can't get over the huge choice that is offered in supermarkets and shopping malls. City dwellers seem busier, smile less and are more impatient - or is it just me changing???!

The Coastal Walkway in New Plymouth

Lovely Autumn colours at Te Henui Walkway

I was a couple of months too early to be able to go inside the new Len Lye Art Gallery - the outside looks amazing and I'm looking forward to seeing Lye's kinetic sculptures out on display. On the down side it was sad to see the Real Tart Community Art Gallery close its doors and hopefully the region's artists will find a new outlet to showcase their wares.

The new Len Lye Art Gallery - the White Hart Hotel is to the right

Another view of the gallery

I read that the New Plymouth Airport is also tagged for another upgrade - there was plenty of space when I caught my plane but I think it was after the morning rush!

Airspresso Café at the New Plymouth Airport

Farewell to the western suburbs of New Plymouth

Aren't clouds beautiful?

High flying hermit

Two weeks off-island is a long time for this hermit but being in the big smoke makes me appreciate the fresh air and birdlife even more when I get home. I headed north to New Plymouth at the beginning of the month and I'll bring you pics of a different lifestyle in my next few blogs.

I'm very grateful to the weather gods for the nice calm flights and the sun was shining brightly in Invercargill as I waited a couple of hours for my flight to Wellington. Invercargill Airport is undergoing a major expansion - Stage I is underway at present and once this is completed everything will move to the left to allow Stage II to be built on the site of the existing terminal.

Invercargill Airport - Stage I of the rebuild to the left

Stage I - scheduled for completion early 2015

Existing terminal

I was cutting it a tad fine for my connecting flight at Wellington Airport; the pilot told us we were 10 minutes ahead of schedule so I wasn't expecting the final boarding call to be announced as soon as I started walking to the departure gate. My walk quickly escalated to a run and fortunately my backpack was whisked off one plane and on to the other at superfast speed. Well done, Air New Zealand!!

Clear skies gave stunning views of everything except Mt Taranaki - he decided to stay hidden for most of my visit.

Super clear views of the Central Plateau mountains

A trip to the big smoke

Leaving the island isn't a big deal logistically but it takes an effort for me to adjust mentally. Heavy traffic, tall buildings and a faster pace of life take a while to get used to after my sleepy existence on Rakiura!

Early morning looking over Halfmoon Bay as I waited for the flight

Flying off the island involves check-in at the Flights depot/Post Office 40 minutes prior to the flight. They weigh your bags, then you stand on the scales with your carry-on bag to get accurate weights for the flight. A free shuttle bus takes you up to the airstrip where you wait at the top of the road until the plane lands. A beautifully choreographed 'dance' between the plane and bus ends with them both in perfect position to transfer luggage and passengers.

Cloud front moving through over Oban

I had long waits at both Invercargill and Wellington airports on my way to New Plymouth. It's fun watching commuters going about their business; the well-oiled flight schedules herding people around Aotearoa and perhaps even further afield. We left Wellington as the sun was setting - I was sitting on the wrong side of the plane to see Mt Taranaki against the sunset but had great views of Ngauruhoe, Tongariro and Ruapehu on the Central Plateau.

The Weather Gods blessed me with great weather during my time in Taranaki for all but the last day and I enjoyed getting back on my pushbike and getting lots of walking in as well as a day tramp to Omaru Hut on the Matemateonga Ranges. The carpark at Kohi Saddle is about halfway between Mt Taranaki and the Central Plateau so we had a feast of stunning views of all the volcanoes.

Mt Taranaki - still my mountain

Mt Taranaki dominates the landscape from all of Taranaki

The Spring growth in New Plymouth was well in advance of Rakiura with native clematis and kowhai in full flower. Heaps of birds around where I was staying although the majority were mynah birds. I even saw a magpie hobnobbing with a bunch of seagulls on the beach.

The kowhai is in full-flower

A visit to Pukekura Park is a must and while you're there visit the Fernery and Display Houses. The blue orchid in the centre of the photo looked artificial and I had to feel it just to check it was real!

Beautiful coloured orchids in the Pukekura Park Fernery

There's a lot of building going on in NP including a new subdivision and retirement village not far from where I lived in the 70s. The new Govett Brewster/Len Lye gallery is starting to take shape and it will be interesting next time to see the fluted exterior walls that will covered in stainless steel. It's a lot fancier than the planned Rakiura Heritage Centre but I guess the island will only get a fraction of the visitors too.

New Plymouth clock tower (left), new Govett Brewster extensions (middle)
and the restored White Hart Hotel (right)

Curious cows near Stratford

Mt Taranaki from the Stratford side

The new ward block at Taranaki Base Hospital has been completed and it's so much nicer than the old ones. The rooms are spacious and light with 'quiet' flooring so trolleys don't rattle - and the staff were happy and relaxed. Each bed has its own TV although I'm not sure if all the patients could work out the console that controlled it!


Last day view of the mountain from Ward 2A, Taranaki Base Hospital 

I returned to the island with a heavier bag - great to stock up on a new pair of gumboots, have an eye test (thanks AA for the free check) and sort out new glasses. It was also lovely to see family and friends and help Jen celebrate her retirement. For now though, it's back to island living, kiwi in the garden and welcoming the Spring.