SheepWorld

Well I had to expand on the photos on flickr and spread my love of SheepWorld. I've managed to visit twice even though I've only been in the country 4 months and really should be exploring more. Having been limited by transport (or rather the lack of it) I took a touristy trip back in April, in rather a lot of rain. I went again when Jason, Yvonne, James and Sophie took a trip (I'm not going to turn down a day out with transport). Better weather the second time and a picnic.

SheepWorld describes itself as a Farm and Nature Park and is located just north of Warkworth, which is about an hours drive north of Auckland. There is a most fabulous sheep and dog show, I learnt a lot about both sheep and sheep dogs. There is a hands on sheep sorting moment, a display of the talents of sheepdogs and a shearing demonstration. Then a wonderful moment to feed some lambs.

The farm has a small selection of animals but is in a wonderful setting. There is also an eco trail, play and picnic area. On my second visit I learnt rather too much about eels and managed to feed one with Sophie - yes too scared on my own - needed a five year old to help!

The shop is full of great sheepskin products and I brought a fabulous pair of slippers that are keeping my feet quite toasty now the weather is a bit chilly. I will be going back when Adam arrives, but probably in the spring and will savour more of the goodies from the cafe.

3 months in.....

Well there you go, I've been here 3 months. All is going well and I feel settled and getting on. However, did have a strong need to get out of Auckland and see some of the stunning country I've moved to. So in a spell of 5 days off I booked a last minute trip to the South Island. As well as being very excited, I was very impressed by how easy everything was. It helps being on the bus route to the airport (2o minutes away) but still thought the whole outing was stress free and easy to do.


So what did i do. Well, a morning flight to Christ Church (with bubbly you'll be glad to know - it was a celebration after all) which takes just over an hour. I had a slightly depressing grey wet and cold afternoon in the city. I did however see my first kiwi which was very exciting, I now hooked. The weather then got worse and the snow came.....however this was good news. I spent the night in a fab backpackers (but very full of young people who made me fell old) and got the early morning free shuttle to the train station to catch the Tranzalpine Railway.

Using the Lonely Planet guidebook I'll bore you with details of this trip. Billed as one of the great rail journeys of the the world is travels from Christ Church across the southern alps to Greymouth on the west coast. It starts by speeding across the Canterbury plains - we did not speed however as the snow of the day and night before meant the points were frozen, so we plodded through the stunning snow scenes.

It then climbs a labyrinth of gorges and hills known as the Staircase, made possible by a system of viaducts and tunnels. In emerges in to the Waimakariri and Bealey Valleys (stunning says the Loney Planet - they are right). It then reaches the snow covered peaks of Arthurs Pass National Park.


I spent the night at Arthurs Pass township (very Northern Exposure like - but smaller and with less people). Again stayed in a fantastic backpackers (Emma your book you gave me is being put to good use). Did some walking in a snow filled wonderland, it was cold but thanks to clothes lent to me by Rachel and my flat mate Katrina I was warm and cosy as I climbed up to waterfalls, over bridges and through the trees.


The next day after another short walk (I stopped climbing Avalanche Peak as it was icy and I didn't think it was a sensible thing to do alone!) I re boarded the train to continue the journey to Greymouth and the west coast.

After leaving Arthurs Pass station you enter the longest of the tunnels, the 'Otira' as 8.5km it was built between 1908 and 1923 and has a 1:30 gradient. There is a dramatic change in the scenery as you emerge on the other side. Now on the the west coast (traditionally will have the opposite kind of weather to the east coast), there are forests and lakes (it was misty and rainy but still dramatic).



We stop for a hour in Greymouth and then return to Christ Church, this time with the sun setting over the mountains. The train has an outside viewing carriage so you can really feel part of the passing scenery. This is very cold, windy and shaky but a must and a very entertaining of mixing with your fellow passengers.

I then had another night in Christ Church, the following morning was clear and bright so I enjoyed a walk round the city centre. Strolling along the river Avon, climbing the 134 step to reach the top of the Cathedral and had a look round the rather lovely art gallery (and spent to much at the gift shop). A flight back to Auckland with a stunning view of Mount Taranaki peaking through the clouds, completed the little and first of many jaunts around the county.


Lots of photos on flickr site.

Maungakiekie

Maungakiekie, Cornwall Park or One Tree Hill. Either way it is only a ten minute walk to one of the entrances from my flat, so I frequently pop for a walk. I also walk home through the park after a night shift - I catch the free shuttle bus to the 'other' hospital which sits on the side of the park.

Cornwall Park was presented to the people of Auckland in 1901 by the city's 'founding father', Sir John Logan Campbell. Sheep and cattle graze, there are several broad avenues of various trees, the volcanic slopes rise to the summit of One Tree Hill, the site of Logan Campbell's grave and one of Auckland's most prominent natural landmarks.




The park has great walkways, marvelous kite flying spots, picnic areas and a lovely little visitors centre - Huia Lodge - that often has local artists work on display and for sale. There is also Acacia Cottage, a small building that has been moved to Cornwall Park and was a cottage that John Campbell lived in.



Most importantly there is an wide selection of ice cream at the coffee place (actually quite posh and very lovely looking - must go in sometime) by the visitors centre, so after my walk to the summit to sustain me round the park, I am - in the name of research only - trying all the flavours. Always with a waffle cone - I know how to live!!


Maungakiekie means 'Mountain of the Kieke Tree'. It is now topped by a single obelisk. There was a sacred totara tree that stood until 1976, this was replaced by a pine tree. The pine tree was attacked as a protest over felling the original tree. Despite trying to protect the tree with steel cables, the tree was removed in 2000 (after a chainsaw attack in 1999).




The park also contains the Stardome Observatory which I'm still to visit, but they do various 'shows' each night.

Devonport

I wrote about my trip to Devonport on the 3rd April post (I think that's the one), here are a few pics. Sorry didn't get one of the group I joined or the birthday cake I ate. It was a lovely walk on a really warm day, walking on the beach was great. The shops were a real treat and reminded me of Battle a bit, but also quite like St Ives. Great second hand bookshops and lots of art places. Will be going back soon.