Holidaying in New Plymouth

Mt Taranaki reflected in the Pouakai Tarn

Caper Egmont Lighthouse

SS Gairloch wreck

Govett Brewster art Gallery

By the Camphouse at Egmont Visitor Centre

Poets Bridge at Pukekura Park

Te Rewa Rewa Bridge

Tongaporutu

The Three Sisters at Tongaporutu

Elephant Rock

The Scout and I recently returned from our annual winter holiday.  This time we went to New Plymouth, on the West Coast of the North Island, a beautiful coastal city dominated by Mt Taranaki.  We were blessed with the most fabulous fine but cold weather, so each day were able to see the snow topped mountain from pretty much everywhere we went.

Probably the highlight of the trip was doing one of my bucket list day hikes - The Pouakai Tarn track. Its a relatively easy walk, approximately 6.3 km of boardwalk and stairs, uphill to the hut, downhill to the tarn and vice versa on the way back.  We were fortunate to have a gloriously fine wind free day, so were able to get the fabulous reflection photos the tarn is renowned for, even though there was ice on it.

New Plymouth is a beautiful city, lovely street art, a coastal walkway, great eateries and galleries, and parks.

Well worth visiting.

 

April - Looking Back

Another month gone and we're now officially feeling proper autumnal weather.

It's been a busy month, my knee is just about totally healed now, so I'm able to go for decent walks and sleep comfortably.  I still haven't tried a proper hiking track yet though,

The Scout and I went out to the beach at Orere point and enjoyed a beautiful walk, with a stop off at Waitawa Regional Park looking out over the stunning inner Hauraki Gulf.  It was warm enough that we should have taken swimming gear with us.

I've been sewing -  some beautiful new cushions for my sofa with some gorgeous Designer Guild fabric offcuts and a deep inky linen blend bias cut skirt.  The pattern is the Clo Bias Skirt from Soften Studio, and its a very comfortable easy to wear and make skirt with an elastic waist and drawstring.  I think there will be more of these added to my wardrobe.

Finally after about 25 years living in Auckland, I had my first visit out to Muriwai beach on the West Coast.  Famous for it black sands and surf.  We walked, ate well, slept and read, a just enjoyed a lovely relaxing weekend away.

 

January - Looking back

 

Well the first month of 2025 is over, and my intention of blogging twice a month has already passed.  So this post, hopefully not too long and rambling, is a summary of the highlights and fun stuff I did during the month, starting at the end of the month, as the title says - looking back.

• The best part of January is always my summer break away at the beach.  Just my husband and me (it's quite lovely now my kids are young adults and can look after themselves now), at our favourite beach at Mangawhai Heads.  I paddle boarded each morning before breakfast on amazingly clear calm waters, lazed around reading, ate gelatos and had a fabulous day boogie boarding at the surf beach,  We took a day trip to Whangarei and visited the Hundertwasser Art Centre and the Packard Car Museum.

• One of my intentions this year is to finish the top of my "make it up as I go" quilt.  I haven't touched this since 2023, so have sort of forgotten what I had intended.  I've since drafted a rough plan, and jotted down some ideas, and have started some epp which will be appliqued to a panel.

• I'm trying to walk each morning for 30 minutes before I go to work.  I've noticed its already getting darker in the mornings, but I have been treated to some amazing sunrises.

• I have lived in Auckland for 28 years and never walked up to the top of Mt Eden the highest volcano (196m) in Auckland.  It is dormant and offers fabulous views across the city in all directions.  I finally got to do it on a warm and rather blustery day.  

• My first garment make for the year is the Gibbons Slip Dress from Elbe Textiles.  Its a relatively simple dress, cut on the bias, so fits beautifully but not tightly.  Mine is made from a black linen viscose blend from spotlight

Wishing you all a wonderful February.

Things Here Lately

 

From the travel files  

• The Scout and I had a weekend away in Coromandel town.  We booked into a lovely Airbnb, that had chooks (fresh eggs), friendly dogs, a goat and cat.  Lovely little garden nooks and garden art too. We ventured into the morning market, ate out  and just relaxed, read and walked.

From around my neighbourhood 

•   Spring is upon, I love it when the flowering crabapple and acacia trees are in bloom

From the sewing room

•  This is the Kingfisher top from The Sewing Revival.  Perfect for those smaller pieces of fabric.

From the garden

• Slim pickings this time of year, the jasmine gets foraged from the coastal banks of my neighbourhood walkways, as does the pink Queen Anne's lace.  I'm currently topping up the flower beds with fresh soil, and have lots of zinnias and new to me summer flowers sprouting away from seeds.

Happy weekending to you all.