Posted in Christchurch - wider, Seasons & Cycles, tagged Christmas, trees, Waimairi Beach on 30 October 2017| 7 Comments »
Shops have started to set up Christmas displays. Our supermarket already has mince pies and ‘Christmas meringues’ for sale. The display I find most attractive is this lovely Christmas tree complete with candles.
There are several of them in full flower at Waimairi Beach. This particular one has a cabbage tree beside it, for a bi-cultural display.
“A tree with candle and with cone
can definitely set the tone.”
Posted in Christchurch - Central, tagged autumn, trees on 11 April 2017| 6 Comments »
Red and gold trees are everywhere at present, and they frame the rebuild.
BNZ demolition framed by trees
New Central Library framed by trees
New Oxford Terrace Baptist Church framed by trees
Colourful trees close to home
“In every direction I see
a red or gold autumnal tree.”
Posted in Christchurch - Central, Earthquake, tagged Christchurch, earthquake, trees, victoria square on 18 August 2016| 2 Comments »
Four ‘signatory trees’ which were planted in Victora Square after the earthquakes by representatives of the Crown, Council, Kai Tahu, and Community will be moved as part of the Victoria Square revamp.
Signatory trees in Victoria Square
Apparently the current location is too damp for some of the species, and in time they would obscure the view of the Town Hall. Plus they are planted where people may wish to sit on the north-facing bank. You’d think these matters might have been considered before the trees were planted.
“They planted trees without due care
and now they’ll be moved to elsewhere.”
Posted in Christchurch - Central, Christchurch - wider, tagged trees on 31 May 2016| 2 Comments »
Today’s walk was around Waltham, and included Tennyson Street, which has beautiful trees on both sides.
Trees on Tennyson Street
As I headed home from the bus stop, along Cambridge Terrace I noticed a large number of stakes in the ground beside the river all along the section between Manchester and Madras Streets.
Stakeout for new trees
Apparently they mark places where new trees are to be planted – all part of the Avon-Otakaro River Precinct. It seemed to me that there would be too many trees and they will be crowded. I was told that many of the old trees will go because they’re near the end of their life anyway. I guess we have to accept this, but I’m sad to think old trees will go.
“It takes so long to grow a tree
I wish they’d let the old ones be.”
Posted in Travel in Australasia, tagged Hanmer Springs, Hot pools, trees on 13 October 2015| 2 Comments »
Travelling to Hanmer in springtime gave us beautiful views of lambs in fields, and trees in colour.
Louise and I had a lovely long soak in the hot pools. Some of these now have wonderful jets that provide aquatherapy massage. This was too fierce for me to stay under them for long, but Louise loved it. She was even brave enough to go on the waterslide. We wandered in the forest, and enjoyed views of snowy mountains.
“A trip to Hanmer’s just the thing
for relaxation time in spring.”
Posted in Christchurch - Central, Earthquake, tagged Avon River, Christchurch, earthquake, river, trees on 26 April 2015| 7 Comments »
Walking around our loop of the river used to be a one of my pleasures. Since all the houses have gone I find it less enjoyable. Where I used to walk daily I now go only every few weeks to see what changes have been made, hoping the experience may improve. Where homes once stood there is now grass and trees, but the whole area is surrounded by a strong wire fence. Stern notices say “No unauthorised access, no dumping”. It’s very clear that all the land now belongs to CERA and no visitors are welcome. I appreciate they want to keep vehicles off, but surely they could allow people in? Perhaps via a stile? It seems hard that those who used to live here are now totally forbidden. Foragers, too, are not allowed, so fruit just goes to waste.
On the riverbank signs warn “Polluted water! Please avoid contact”. The ducks are there, but no kayaks these days. As I walk round I see only a few strangers. In the past I would have met and spoken to local people. Now it’s hard to be sure which piece of land belonged to which family.
A large oak tree has broken in the wind. The centre is obviously rotten. I wonder if the remaining part will stay, or be removed?
Broken oak
It’s all sad. The only good news is that the Holiday Inn on Avon is finally being demolished. We’re glad to be rid of this broken eyesore, and it seems unlikely to be replaced soon, but who knows . . . . . .
“This area, once such a gem
is now a scene for requiem.”
Posted in Christchurch - Central, tagged autumn, Christchurch, trees on 21 April 2015| 3 Comments »
This tree’s golden leaves brightened a damp day.
“Our leaves take on a different hue
and signal summer’s truly through”
Posted in Travel in Australasia, tagged Auckland, Eden Crescent, trees on 3 January 2015| 7 Comments »
In Auckland there were pohutukawa everywhere, usually in full flower. They looked absolutely wonderful.
In full flower in Ponsonby
On the beach at Takapuna
close-up flowers
in Albert Park
Braced trees by Eden Crescent
Pohutukawa petals on the steps at Eden Crescent
“Pohutukawa, red and green
are vital to our Christmas scene.”
Posted in Travel in Australasia, tagged Auckland, beach, Liberal Catholic Church of St Francis, Outhwaite park, Travel, trees, volcano on 28 December 2014| Leave a Comment »
I woke to a blinding sunrise, which surprised me as our windows face west. As my awareness surfaced I realised the sun was being reflected in a glass-walled building opposite.
Being Sunday we planned to visit the Liberal Catholic Church of St Francis where we were married and our daughters baptised. Past the hospital and Domain we stopped in Outhwaite park, site of a ‘pocket’ volcano. This is one of Auckland’s smallest volcanic cones, which erupted 50,000 years ago, slightly later than the Domain volcano. The park is the legacy of the Outhwaite family and has a small hall which would make it an ideal wedding venue.
The Church service was Prime, because they now have Eucharist only every second week, and I was intrigued to find the lay celebrant was a woman. There were only seven in the congregation, including us, and I gather that’s not unusual. The celebrant told me that on a really good day they might get fifteen. Numbers are dwindling as for many traditional churches. I wonder whether there will be any service at all next time I’m in Auckland. The Christchurch branch has folded since the earthquakes, and I miss the opportunity to go occasionally in honour of my mother who was a lifelong member.
Later we visited Newmarket and Parnell, then I met with two old schools friends and thoroughly enjoyed catching up with them.
“I seized this opportunity
as church is now quite rare for me.”
Posted in Cottage Life, tagged birds, cherries, fruit, garden, trees on 22 December 2014| 8 Comments »
Today I harvested our cherries. Our “dwarf” Stella tree is tall and has abundant fruit, but the birds eat most of them. I managed to put nets over a couple of low branches to save some fruit for us.
Covered branches
Today I removed the nets and counted 99 cherries as I carefully harvested them. They are absolutely delicious, sweet and juicy.
99 cherries
Eight years ago I managed to get just twelve cherries, so things are improving. I know the birds have had hundreds, if not thousands. They leave the stones all over the ground, and even have the cheek to deposit pink guano on the patio.
“Our cherry harvest’s good this year
but birds have had the bulk, I fear.”
Ruth's Reflections 