Taupo on the Barbery.

I'm indulging myself a little on this trip, and decided I'd be a 'tourist' here in Taupo- and I booked a trip on the yacht Barbery, a beautiful vessel that is coming up for its 90th birthday next year.

Our captain was Sarah, who had a great sense of humour, and lots of knowledge. She motored us out of the channel, then hoisted the sails once we reached some deeper water.

 

The views were stunning, and we soon got this superb view of Tauhara looming above the town of Taupo.

Here's the other yacht company out on pretty much the same journey as us. We sailed back to the marina pretty much in tandem.

We dipped in close to shore at Acacia Bay.

When we got to the area where the Maori carvings were, you could see all the ignimbrite cliffs from the first super volcano explosion of Taupo- which was bigger that Yellowstone's big eruption I was surprised to know.

The carvings were surprisingly modern, but as we were told, early Maori inhabitants didn't usually carve stone so never had those tools.

Sarah showed us on the chart how far we had come. It felt so far but was just one little corner of the lake- about 6% of its area. (The little 'arm' closest to the bottom right here.)

Coming back we had a bit more breeze. And our side tipped down. No wet feet though. But I don't quite know how people stay on board if the wind gets rougher. Yachties must have strength I don't!

All too quickly it seemed, we were back in the marina. We had been on the water for more than two and a half hours, but time had passed quickly by.

Thanks 'Barbs' as Sarah called the boat.

 

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Taupo morning

I woke this morning to a peaceful lake view from the motel, (minus the mountains which stayed covered with cloud.)

It was very peaceful over the road by the lakeside as well. What a great way to start the morning.

The motel owners were very friendly, (Executive Motel) and told me I could park there for the morning while I went sailing if I wanted to. But I decided to head down to the wharf area, and it was easy to find a park. I think there are many advantages to visiting Taupo outside the main summer season!

Once I was sure I knew where the Barbery was going to depart from, I headed off along the lake front nearby. Straight away I recognised this little beach: I'd shared a fish and chips tea here with a friend and her wee ones- and a summer crowd...

I saw people getting ready for the new tourist day. This float plane taxied around from its mooring.

This gate had pride of place. The plaque described how it was carved by Tene Waitere in 1927/28 and was donated by the Reid family.

I couldn't get over how friendly everyone was in Taupo. Even overseas tourists were saying hello along the lake front. Then I discovered this place, Replete Cafe, several blocks back from the shore. The staff were so welcoming that I felt as if I was having breakfast at a friend's place.

As I headed back to catch the yacht trip, I walked a different way. When I saw this view I wondered if this was where the Waikato River left Lake Taupo. Turns out it was.

 

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On the road- to Taupo

I decided it was time for a school holiday roadie, and today I came to Taupo, via back country Rangitikei.

A friend has moved onto a farm in the 'wops' - back country Manawatu/Rangitikei. It was a long, winding climb up a gravel road to reach her place. And what superb views she has from where she lives, way up high above the river far below. It was a treat, as a New Zealander, to go to such a beautiful, hidden part of the country.

And back down at the bottom of the hills is this NZ special- a one-way bridge.

I rejoined SH1 and headed for the Desert Rd. It was a little cloudy, but there were still some magnificent volcano views.

Mt Ruapehu above, and Mt Ngauruhoe below- both with cloud hats today...

Finally I arrived at Taupo, and from my motel I just had to cross the road to sit beside the lake. Taupo looked so very peaceful today, which always makes it hard to remember it is a caldera born of especially violent eruptions.

This evening I went to De Brett's thermal pools to relax. And I certainly do feel relaxed after that warm mineral soak. So, from Taupo, it's a goodnight from me...

 

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Christchurch Trip

Ooops, have only just realised I never posted here at all during my trip to Christchurch in the July school holidays. Making up for lost time then, here is a link to my album of photos on Flickr from this trip.

And here are two panoramic views from a friend's new house in Redcliffs, looking over the Avon-Heathcoate Estuary, and a view just before sunrise.

 There is a huge amount of rebuilding going on in the city, which is positive, but at the same time, I still found it so incredibly sad. It brought home to me how much damage the February quake wrought when it struck the CBD itself. So many buildings have had to be demolished, and others have to wait years for repair, so the city's heart has really been crushed. There are still few workers or shops in the CBD- mainly it was construction workers I saw there, plus a few tourists. (Mind you, it was winter and most tourists would have gone straight to the ski fields.)

People are gradually getting their lives sorted though, and friends of mine are now living in a beautiful house with stunning views over the Avon-Heathcote Estuary- I could easily sit in their lounge for days watching the weather and tides change, and sun rise and set.

There are plans being drawn up now for rebuilding the Catholic Cathedral, on the same site, and using some of the original materials- though nobody is sure yet how much of the original structure can be retained. Although I am not much of a church-goer at all, my great-grandfather was amongst those who contributed to the original building, so I am following progress with interest.



























One thing I did while in Christchurch was go on a Rebuild Tour- on a red bus- bookable through the iSite next to the museum- with commentary by one of the museum staff- well worth doing.

Sunrise over the River

Truly there was peace, 
and the singing of the world as it awakened...

taken while walking at sunrise by the Manawatu River

"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; 
the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, 
and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."
~ Isaiah 55:12

I lived- One Republic

Himatangi Beach

 Himatangi Beach in winter (June 27 2015)

 It is when I am walking in nature that I can often find the sacred- whether it be at the beach, or in the bush... This extract somehow sums it up.

from Terry Hershey’s The Power of Pause 
A fuller version of this is on the blog by Paul Campbell SJ- as Wisdom Story- 250. 

“Oh, Papa,” the son replied. “There is no need to worry. I go into the woods to pray. It is in the woods that I can talk to God.”
“Oh,” the rabbi said, clearly relieved, “But as the son of a rabbi, you should know that God is the same everywhere.”
“Yes, Papa. I know that God is the same everywhere. But I am not.”

Caress of God

  "Every day we are all called to become a “caress of God.”

Pope Francis

Weekend's Flooding

We had some 30mm of rain here in Palmerston North on Friday, then on Saturday the rains simply didn't stop. Though not torrential, it just kept on raining... People were becoming afraid we might have a repeat of the 2004 floods, but thankfully for us in the city, the stopbanks gave us ample protection. We had about 132mm of rain on Saturday, but fortunately, hardly any on Sunday, and the sun even poked through a little.

The same cannot be said for those in some other areas though- and our thoughts are with people in flooded parts of Whanganui- and in Waitotara and Whangaehu. And some in the rural areas not far from our city have suffered too, and it seems that the marae at Rangiotu, te Rangimarie, has been badly flooded.

Here are some photos taken near the river on Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday the river peaked around lunchtime, before falling again.

This first photo was taken on Saturday at the end of Ruahine St when the waters were ponding in an area where people can usually run their dogs. And the second photo was taken on Sunday when the waters had become a raging torrent- same spot.

These next two photos were taken from the 'lookout' over the river, near the bridge, just below the Esplanade. On Saturday I ventured out onto it, though you could hear/feel the water flowing through underneath. On Sunday, you could barely even see the lookout.

There were many sightseers on Sunday, taking a look at how our popular riverside walking track was no longer accessible.

 I'll go back another day to see how high on our flood marker these waters came.

And for now, all due credit to the engineers who designed our stopbanks. Though it may have been 'annoying' to lose access to the river when they were being constructed, when the rains come like this, we are very much glad to have them.

Canticle of the Sun

extract from Canticle of the Sun- by St Francis of Assisi 

 Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures,
especially through my lord Brother Sun,
who brings the day; and you give light through him.
And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor!
Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.

 

Praise be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon
and the stars, in heaven you formed them
clear and precious and beautiful. 

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind,
and through the air, cloudy and serene,
and every kind of weather through which
You give sustenance to Your creatures.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water,
which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste. 

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through whom you light the night and he is beautiful
and playful and robust and strong. 

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Mother Earth,
who sustains us and governs us and who produces
varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs. 

Photo of St Francis and the wolf- Gubbio, Italy, April 2015

Noticing in nature

feather, lying on old street in Nocera Umbria, Italy, April 2015

"Our very contact with nature has a deep restorative power; Contemplation of its magnificence imparts peace and serenity."

Saint John Paul II

Autumn's End

Take your time

“The whole culture is telling you to hurry, while the art tells you to take your time. 

Always listen to the art.” 

~Junot Diaz

Esplanade- early winter

I really do love the Esplanade in Palmy, especially for a quiet, calm, weekend walk- and the glory of the park is that it holds beautiful surprises, whatever the season. Today the sun 'hid' most of the time I was there, but autumn colours were still poking through, giving joy in early winter. Here are a selection of photos from this morning.

 This track is from the Esplanade mini-train line, and it reminds me of childhood, when Dad was a guard on the Railways who had to switch over the lines...

 There were still rose blooms in the Rose Garden, though on their 'last legs', and no doubt due for the pruning shears soon.

 In summertime brides will grace this pagoda, now looking a bit sad and wintry.

 The floral gardens have been replanted, to give colour over winter and in early spring.

 By the children's paddling pool- umm yes, will try and remember this in my panic.

 A rare pateke duck- being bred for release into the wild I think. Seemed awfully solitary for it in there today.

 Despite the grey. overcast skies, the leaf colours on this ginkgo shone forth into the Esplanade- one of several magnificent specimens.

 These leaves really do tell a tale of early winter.

 Crunch... snap....

 Fungi on the remnants of a rotting tree stump.

The sun came out just as my walk was ending- to highlight these autumn berries.

So, next time I go walking in the Esplanade, I wonder what new things I will see....