With thoughts starting to turn to home, we are torn between wanting to hang out in this lovely location and explore further afield while we can. We briefly entertained the idea of hopping over to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands but in the end decided it would be simply country bagging for the sake of it. And nobody has ever accused me of that!
So we have compromised. This weekend has been spent in and around Auckland, trying out the few bars and coffee shops we haven't yet visited and catching up with yet more old friends, this time from Nareesa's Stirling University days. But we have been a bit remiss in getting any pictures, which will probably make this blog even more boring than usual. During the week we will take a short trip to the capital in Wellington as our last hurrah!
An afternoon sharing wine (oh dear, not again!) in a couple of Auckland bars with Ken and Theresa, was followed by a monster walk home due to cancelled buses. Well, not that far really for anyone who knows where Constellation Bus Interchange is, but enough to make us head for the local Indian Takeaway on the way home. Had to sample that Goat Curry on the bone (just me obviously)! So despite that lack of anything like a useful plan, another good day was had by all. Sorry we forgot to take a picture with Ken and Theresa! Instead you get the takeaway menu! Thrilling eh?
It has been a very windy weekend but not cold, so yesterday we ventured to The Auckland Museum in The Domain,
...and One Tree Hill in the One Tree Domain, adjacent to Cornwall Park. It being Sunday the public transport was a bit of a challenge but we made it in and out and had some fabulous insight into Auckland history (which of course I have forgotten) and brilliant views over the CBD from One Tree Hill - which currently doesn't actually have one tree.
Given I have little to say about the weekend, other than it was yet another great few days here, I might as well give some potted history of the One Tree. Look away now if you are easily bored! Hopefully it's reasonably accurate.
Originally the summit was known for its single totara tree or pōhutukawa tree. Whichever it was, it was cut down by a Pākehā (New Zealander of European heritage) settler in 1852, in an act of vandalism in one account, or for firewood in another. I would argue, it was an act vandalism whatever the reason.
In 1875 an exotic Monterey pine was then planted to replace it by John Logan Campbell - who donated the land for Cornwall Park (though I wonder what right he had to own it in the first place), and who is buried under the obelisk which is actually a Maori memorial. Campbell repeatedly tried to grow native trees, but the trees failed to survive – with only two pines, surviving for long. In 1960, one of the two was felled in another attack.
The remaining tree was later attacked twice with chainsaws by activists to draw attention to injustices the New Zealand government had inflicted upon Māori. The second attack in October 2000 left the tree unable to recover, and it was removed the following year by Auckland Council due to the risk of it falling. In 2007, the chainsaw used by activist Mike Smith in the first attack was placed on sale on auction site TradeMe and then listed on eBay. The chainsaw is now in the collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. I don't know if they had to bid for it on eBay!
In 2016 nine young tōtara and pōhutukawa grown from parent trees were planted. The strongest single tree will eventually remain. And we will be back full circle!
And here they are, with views over Auckland!
I can see why this place has special meaning to many Aucklanders. It was a great place to visit, and had a feeling of spirituality. Or maybe that was just me. Especially after the effort of climbing up the difficult way, led by you know who (no, it wasn't me!)
I think that might have been Nareesa’s way of getting me back for Coniston Old Man, Connemara Bogs … and many other past transgressions on my part!
Our weekend ended with some rather nice Pinot Noir and cheese with "our" neighbour Gill. It's going to be hard to leave when the time comes!
I'll finish with our local walk to Browns Bay for coffee this morning. Its becoming a habit! Best at low tide.
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