Hannah and I headed to Palmerston North, which is 1 1/2 hours south of here, to spend a few days with my cousin Donna, and her Mum and Dad as well. On the Monday we took a drive to Wanganui, which is about an hour away from Palmerston. Our first place to visit was Virginia Lake, one of Wanganui's top scenic attractions. It was absolutely beautiful there. We took a stroll around the lake, and there were ducks, swans, and pukekoes everywhere.
a close enounter with a swan
Masses and masses of lily pads everywhere
Hannah and Donna checking out the bird aviary
Virgina Lake is also the home of the Winter Gardens, an Art Deco facade with a conservatory that houses lots of beautiful exotic flowering plants, and it also has a walled garden.
Hannah and my aunt Dorrie exploring in the conservatory
don't you just love the colour of this clematis
one of the many garden sculptures to be seen
another sculpture we found on our walk
After lunch, it was time to check out Kowhai Park, which is on the banks of the Wanganui river, and it has to be one of the best playgrounds I've ever seen. Hannah was in her absolute element.
a train to ride
lots and lots of seesaws, swings and slides
After all our playing it was time to have a wander up the main street and find a cafe to have a coffee, icecream for Hannah, and something to eat before we got back into the car to head back to Palmerston. We came across a Chocolate and Lollie boutique shop so I just have to share a photo of the handmade chocolates I couldn't resist buying:
from the back:
Hannah and Donna checking out the bird aviary
Hannah and I
Virgina Lake is also the home of the Winter Gardens, an Art Deco facade with a conservatory that houses lots of beautiful exotic flowering plants, and it also has a walled garden.
Some new "friends" Hannah made
Hannah and my aunt Dorrie exploring in the conservatory
don't you just love the colour of this clematis
one of the many garden sculptures to be seen
another sculpture we found on our walk
After lunch, it was time to check out Kowhai Park, which is on the banks of the Wanganui river, and it has to be one of the best playgrounds I've ever seen. Hannah was in her absolute element.
It has a brilliant paddling pool
Humpty Dumpty's wall, which Hannah didn't fall off, lol
a train to ride
lots and lots of seesaws, swings and slides
After all our playing it was time to have a wander up the main street and find a cafe to have a coffee, icecream for Hannah, and something to eat before we got back into the car to head back to Palmerston. We came across a Chocolate and Lollie boutique shop so I just have to share a photo of the handmade chocolates I couldn't resist buying:
from the back:
Mint Truffle, 42 Below Vodka & Feijoa,
in the front:
Limencello, Chilli and Manuka Honey
They were all absolutely scrummy, but wow, the chilli and manuka one blew me away!! The rest of our time away was spent either relaxing at Donna's or checking out all the New Year sales on in the shops.
Yesterday I started back at work after my three and a half week holiday, and although it was bit of a shock getting up when the alarm went off just after 6am, it was good to get back to work to catch up my work friends. Its going to be a busy few weeks now, getting up to date with all the paperwork sitting on my desk, and planning our programme for the next few months. We've also got a family wedding coming up in a few weeks time, and I've got another visit to Palmerston planned before the end of the month. Wow, its going to be February before we know it!
6 comments:
Looks like you had a lovely time -
Glad to see you are enjoying the sunshine, looks like you had loads of fun.
Beautiful sunny pictures!
Best wishes,
Tatyana
What a beautiful day you had, and such great memories. G;ad you could enjoy your time off!
Great photos Katrina. The weather looks fantastic.
Those chocolates look delicious. We went to Shoc Chocolates in Greytown a month or two back and four little chocolates cost $11! Two for me, two for DH and they were gone in less than 2 minutes. lol. They were tasty though.
My granddaughter Gracie could be Hannah's twin...the resemblance is uncanny! See my pictures at my blog! Love seeing all the summer sunshine you have while we are in our winter doldrums!
www.thelaceythead.blogspot.com
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