Summer pics

Not sure where this is, Westmere I think.

At the end of the regatta.

B.

Bad parenting

During one of our afternnon walks in Rotorua over New Year we ended up in the seagull rookery behind the Government Gardens. We didn't realise what it was until we stumbled across some big, fluffy, flightless, juvenile birds and nests of eggs.

Apparently at the first hint of perceived threat the adults all take to the air and head for the hills and leave their kids to look out for themselves. Hows that for bad parenting!!!!

B.

Xmas - seems so long ago

Well it's been a while ago now and a bit of water under the bridge since then, but more about that later (perhaps). Spent Christmas in the Bay of Plenty with a week in Rotorua, just for old times sake.

Just trying to remember what we did while we were there ... we did get out and about a bit, lots of walking and a bike ride around the lake. It seemed far enough riding it, without running as they do for the Marathon. It was a bit of a nostalgia trip really in some ways visiting and recalling the places from long ago when I spent my early years there.

Went to the Blue Baths for a swim, in many ways so much the same as when I remember going there as a child for our school swiming lessons ... the wringer for your togs, the notices on the wall, the changing rooms (I could even remember where I used to sit to get changed), all just the same.

The Blue Lake, we used to go there regularly for an evening picnic. I always thought they were further away though, and I had forgotten how cold the water was. But a great tonic after a walk along by the Green Lake on a very hot day.

An amble around the inside of the Government Gardens building/tudor towers/bath house, or whatever they like to call it these days. I remember going there with my mother. She and a group of others used to gather there for their spinning and weaving get togethers once a week.

The springs around the other side of the lake. We used to go there on Sundays, buy sandwiches from the tearooms, watch the trout, ... and get chased by the geese! We used to visit a friend nearby who also used to do spinning, weaving and natural dyes. I can't remember what her name was but it may have been Mrs Drysdale. But back to the springs ... they now look like a tip. What a shame that a great place for kids has gone to ruin.

Queen Elizabeth hospital where mum used to go for her arthritus treatment.

And the list goes on ... Oh the memories ... and a great Christmas break.