As we've had a busy couple of weeks, we decided to spend this weekend in and around Wanganui. It wasn't a bad day on Saturday, so we decided to take a look at Wanganui races, the first race meeting since we arrived. The race track is a short walk from our house, and we could hear the loudspeakers from our garden, so we donned boots and macs - just in case, and walked over to the race track. Unlike race meetings in the UK, there was no charge for admission. I guess they think they will make their money on the cash you spend on food and drink whilst you are there, they obviously don't know Andy at all well! No money was spent on refreshments, but we did manage to lose about $20 (£10) betting on the horses, so I suppose that's something.
Another nice day on Sunday so we drove out to Bushy park, an old New Zealand homestead and grounds which have been left as the landscape was when the Europeans first landed. Walks here are described as bush walks, and we saw many native trees and some birds. apparently they have kiwis there but we weren't lucky enough to see them, nocturnal we understand. Only seen a stuffed kiwi so far!
Our horse was 5th in this race, about the best we did all day!
I think this is called a Ponga - a rather beautiful tree fern. The emblem of New Zealand is the silver fern and that's a Ponga too.
I like the ponga x
ReplyDeleteSo do I, really pretty isn't it? Dad was pleased with his artistic talent here!
ReplyDeleteFab photo of the ponga! Pity you didn't see a real live kiwi of the feathered variety!
ReplyDeleteHow about going to The Kiwi House which I believe is near Waitomo Caves with the glow worms which you must see! If you are really daring you can go black water rafting- on big rubber tyres over wet rocks! Or as we did (Kim & Natalie said not to the other for us) the boat goes along with the guide pulling a rope along the ceiling - perfect silence. There is even a "loft" with perfect where famous opera singers have performed - aka Kiri Tekanawa! If you go to the Kiwi house you will definitely see kiwis!! And learn all about how they are trying keep them from extinction. Don't recall ponga but did see lots of fern(moreso in South Island). Just enjoy every minute!
ReplyDeleteAah - have replied to earlier posts but realize did not complete the necessary for publication! Oops!
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