Road Trip 1: Auckland to Hamilton

My dear friend Kathy Light gave me a car to drive during my stay in Auckland. As in the US this year, I took advantage of the wheels to see people I would not have been able to see otherwise - not during such a short time in New Zealand, anyway!

As I drove toward Hamilton, I saw the sign I have seen for years as I drove south, advertising a herb garden with high tea. This time I stopped. It was a delicious treat for me.




















In Hamilton, I stopped off in the beautiful Hamilton Gardens, before meeting my friend Annie Perkins of the Green Space.

Being spring, I knew there would be some lovely flowers in bloom. And I was not disappointed. Take a look:

Auckland's North Shore in Spring

Ah, spring in New Zealand. I returned just after the tulips bloomed. This time I am staying with Donna Diamond and her daughter Megan, from church. Donna has a small guest room she keeps set aside for people who need a place to stay for a bit - whether due to a need to get some space from others. I have been very blessed to be in her guest room during my time in Auckland - because it has been an especially wet and cold spring, and life in a tent would have been really really miserable.

Being in Mairangi Bay, I am close to the beach, and one can walk for miles along the beach at low tide. Here are some photos of the North Shore in October:




















My sister Sandy sent a care package to me for my birthday. I had Donna take a photo of me enjoying the birthday present she sent to me: Carlsbad Oblaten sweet wafers and beautiful peony napkins. I made some flower arrangements for Donna. One is growing out of my head in the photo.

















I had a most beautiful cup of coffee at a north shore cafe - I had never seen one done like this.















After my first Sunday back at Harbour City Christian Church in Takapuna, I walked all the way back to Mairangi Bay, and took these photos along the way. The rock formations are volcanic and sedimentary.