It's been a while since I’ve put pen to paper, so to speak. Not because that there isn't anything worthy of report or comment. Far from it. There's plenty upon which I could bash out a blog or two. But it's all so dark and miserable and that's not what I want this blog to be. But I can't just give up writing (shame I hear you say!). So here is a more traditional "what we did on our holiday" account. Not that we're on holiday of course but you know what I mean.
With the other half of the household off to get a culture fix, courtesy of Bill Shakespeare and the Pop-Up Globe, I found myself with a free afternoon to while away.
Within a few minutes more, the open greenery gives way to natural bush courtesy of Alberon Reserve. Okay, so I’m not sure it it’s natural or not but it could be as it looks just like all of the others I’ve been in. And they were. So in the absence of any other evidence I’m claiming that it to be so. Here, away from the glare of the sun, the palm trees rustle gently in the wind and Tuis (they’re a bird in case your wondering) belt out their song. Or songs. Or, if you prefer, their impression of R2D2. It’s uncanny. Don’t believe me, well pop over here and find out.
Unfortunately the reserves don't go on forever so periods back in the suburbs or needed. Thankfully, given that the sun is at it's strongest this time of year, pÅhutukawa trees offer brief respite from the searing sun. The tree flowers from November to January with a peak in mid to late December, with brilliant crimson flowers covering the tree, hence the nickname New Zealand Christmas tree. And they are simply stunning, if a little short lived. Pretty soon, especially if a summer storm comes through, the flood will be stained blood-red with hundreds of thousands of tiny fronds.
Once out of the shade and shelter of the bush, traditional New Zealand Villa’s line the street. A what is a typical New Zealand villa I hear you ask? No, well I'm going to tell you anyway. The Victorian villa began to appear from around 1860’s when Europeans started arriving in large numbers. Built completely with native timber, NZ villas were generally single storey detached buildings, although two-storey villas were common in affluent suburbs and where land was scarce. With decorated verandas, high ceilings, small windows and wide hallways, they have been a part of Kiwi life for generations. It can be said though that the villa was built for appearances, meaning that there was more thought put into how it looked from the outside instead of how it functioned inside for the occupants themselves. In other words....bloody cold in the winter!
The next reserve, Ayr Reserve, is the largest on the route. The path winds down a steep, bush covered slope and runs along a gently babbling brook for most of its length. It's lovely down here - cool and quiet and a good place to make up some distance without worrying about dehydration or sun stroke. Just as I emerge back into the light I hear the familiar summer sound of willow on leather.
Cricket! Thomas Bloodworth Park is the home to Parnell Cricket Club and a game is in full flow. I stop briefly to watch.....nope still can't understand the rules.....so press on up Ayr Street into Newmarket Park. Whilst I get my breath back from that hill, here's what Wikipedia has to say about Newmarket Park.
In the early European history of the area, the gully containing the park and the Slaughter House Creek (now Newmarket Stream) was used as a rubbish dump. In the 1930s, an employment scheme created a flat area on the higher western slope of the gully, approximately half-way up to the railway line. This initially served as an athletics track, and later for midget car racing and as a golf driving range. After being leased by the Auckland Football Association in 1962, it became the site of New Zealand's national football stadium, with many international games played here. However, in 1979 a large landslide occurred, which took away one of the grandstands and part of the playing field. After this, the park fell into disuse, with another large landslip also occurring in 1988.
Now, and especially today, Newmarket Park is a splendid place to take a breath, grab a drink of water and enjoy the last place for peace and quiet. Soon we'll be in Newmarket. Right can't put it off any longer. Final push....
The last few streets are full with the scent of Star Jasmine. This fragrant smelling plant is quite often found in flower beds and growing up and around walls in Auckland. More often than not, you can smell it before you see it as it's scent is so distinctive.
A quick dash through Newmarket Rail Station and we're here. As this is the second last Saturday before Christmas, Broadway, the main street in Newmarket, will be full of shoppers. In this heat it's not for the fainthearted so luckily it's only a short scoot along the street to my final destination, and the only worthwhile destination in Newmarket. The Lumsden Free House! Yey! I just hope they’ve got a nice cold beer waiting for me......
With the other half of the household off to get a culture fix, courtesy of Bill Shakespeare and the Pop-Up Globe, I found myself with a free afternoon to while away.
My first reaction was to grab a box of chocolates, plonk myself on the couch and catch up on unwatched movies, box sets or a level or two on my trusty PS4. So even though some wise person noted that time you spend enjoyably wasting isn’t wasted time, or words to that effect, it was far too nice a day to while away indoors. The sun was shining, a gentle warm breeze was blowing and it would’ve been a real shame to miss it by sitting in front of the gogglebox. Besides, it was so bright that the screen was barely visible. Couldn’t see a thing. It was hopeless. So outside it was.
After a liberal application of factor 50+ I was off. But where to go? Town would be rammed, the beaches equally so, and I’ve been to the Domain numerous times already this week. Ahh, what was called for was a stroll through the reserves....or small parks if you prefer a more familiar phrase. So, if I could be so presumptuous to be able to divert your attention from world affairs for a few moments, here is a mini diary of my afternoon stroll.....
Being in Parnell, we are lucky enough have a multitude of options on our door step. Not only are we very close to the city and a short run from the beach, but we also have a few hidden green gems. By carefully plotting a route through quiet suburban streets it’s possible to link the reserves and get from Parnell to the neighbouring suburb of Newmarket. It’s a nice route just to walk but I had another goal in mind.
Within a few minutes I was in my first of the reserves, Scarborough Reserve. Only the distant hum of traffic and the occasional bang from the port belies the impression that you are in the New Zealand bush. Miles from civilisation and out on your own. Except you’re not. Within a few hundred metres there are residential dwellings. Call it a trick of the light or just good planning. Either way it doesn’t take long for suburbia to loose it’s grip.
Within a few minutes more, the open greenery gives way to natural bush courtesy of Alberon Reserve. Okay, so I’m not sure it it’s natural or not but it could be as it looks just like all of the others I’ve been in. And they were. So in the absence of any other evidence I’m claiming that it to be so. Here, away from the glare of the sun, the palm trees rustle gently in the wind and Tuis (they’re a bird in case your wondering) belt out their song. Or songs. Or, if you prefer, their impression of R2D2. It’s uncanny. Don’t believe me, well pop over here and find out.
Unfortunately the reserves don't go on forever so periods back in the suburbs or needed. Thankfully, given that the sun is at it's strongest this time of year, pÅhutukawa trees offer brief respite from the searing sun. The tree flowers from November to January with a peak in mid to late December, with brilliant crimson flowers covering the tree, hence the nickname New Zealand Christmas tree. And they are simply stunning, if a little short lived. Pretty soon, especially if a summer storm comes through, the flood will be stained blood-red with hundreds of thousands of tiny fronds.
Once out of the shade and shelter of the bush, traditional New Zealand Villa’s line the street. A what is a typical New Zealand villa I hear you ask? No, well I'm going to tell you anyway. The Victorian villa began to appear from around 1860’s when Europeans started arriving in large numbers. Built completely with native timber, NZ villas were generally single storey detached buildings, although two-storey villas were common in affluent suburbs and where land was scarce. With decorated verandas, high ceilings, small windows and wide hallways, they have been a part of Kiwi life for generations. It can be said though that the villa was built for appearances, meaning that there was more thought put into how it looked from the outside instead of how it functioned inside for the occupants themselves. In other words....bloody cold in the winter!
The next reserve, Ayr Reserve, is the largest on the route. The path winds down a steep, bush covered slope and runs along a gently babbling brook for most of its length. It's lovely down here - cool and quiet and a good place to make up some distance without worrying about dehydration or sun stroke. Just as I emerge back into the light I hear the familiar summer sound of willow on leather.
Cricket! Thomas Bloodworth Park is the home to Parnell Cricket Club and a game is in full flow. I stop briefly to watch.....nope still can't understand the rules.....so press on up Ayr Street into Newmarket Park. Whilst I get my breath back from that hill, here's what Wikipedia has to say about Newmarket Park.
In the early European history of the area, the gully containing the park and the Slaughter House Creek (now Newmarket Stream) was used as a rubbish dump. In the 1930s, an employment scheme created a flat area on the higher western slope of the gully, approximately half-way up to the railway line. This initially served as an athletics track, and later for midget car racing and as a golf driving range. After being leased by the Auckland Football Association in 1962, it became the site of New Zealand's national football stadium, with many international games played here. However, in 1979 a large landslide occurred, which took away one of the grandstands and part of the playing field. After this, the park fell into disuse, with another large landslip also occurring in 1988.
Now, and especially today, Newmarket Park is a splendid place to take a breath, grab a drink of water and enjoy the last place for peace and quiet. Soon we'll be in Newmarket. Right can't put it off any longer. Final push....
The last few streets are full with the scent of Star Jasmine. This fragrant smelling plant is quite often found in flower beds and growing up and around walls in Auckland. More often than not, you can smell it before you see it as it's scent is so distinctive.
A quick dash through Newmarket Rail Station and we're here. As this is the second last Saturday before Christmas, Broadway, the main street in Newmarket, will be full of shoppers. In this heat it's not for the fainthearted so luckily it's only a short scoot along the street to my final destination, and the only worthwhile destination in Newmarket. The Lumsden Free House! Yey! I just hope they’ve got a nice cold beer waiting for me......
