Hills Road Walk

I have still got a few posts left in me about my travels at the end of last year – feels odd writing that as I haven’t yet acclimatised to being back in the UK. I keep expecting to see my grandson having breakfast, or being able to go for a walk along a beach. Sigh!

One reason for visiting New Zealand was to meet my son’s partner’s family and in particular, her parents who live in the delightful surfing town of Raglan on the black sands of the west coast of the South Island, about 2 hours south of Auckland. This is the Waikato region; a landscape formed by volcanoes creating a lush, fertile green pastoral heaven. It is no wonder that Peter Jackson picked this region for the home of the Hobbits (Matamata).

Raglan is overlooked by Mount Karioi in the Pirongia forest park, an extinct volcano. Although it would have been amazing to trek into the forest and among the Podocarps, such as rimu and totara which are found at lower altitudes, along with tawa and tree-ferns, the weather was against us, being too wet a lot of the time. I did manage a short walk along Hills Road, where the ‘in-laws’ live, with views towards Mount Karioi and Whaingaroa Harbour. Join me on this walk and enjoy the wonderful views all around in this picturesque part of the country.

DSCF9144
Mount Karioi in the background
Whaingaroa Harbour
Tui Bird
Wild flowers
Whaingaroa Harbour
Wild Daisies
Wild Daisies
Hills Rd
Hills Rd
Wild flowers
Hills Rd
Dairy Cattle
Daisies
Unusual mailbox

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If you enjoy a walk, short or long, then you may enjoy visiting Jo’s Monday Walk where you are in for a treat.

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Heyjude

I have lived in the UK for most of my life, but when young I definitely had wanderlust and even ended up living in South Africa for several years which was a wonderful experience. I now look forward to a long and leisurely retirement doing what I like most - gardening, photography, walking and travelling.

49 thoughts on “Hills Road Walk”

    1. I have heard many comments about NZ being like England, but I saw nothing that reminded me of home. This region has the bright green of Wales, but on the whole it reminded me of parts of South Africa.

  2. Did you get to see a Kiwi in the wild? I spent 3 nights with a guide trying to find one. At the end of the third night we shrugged our shoulders and gave up. We walked back to the car and there, 10m from the vehicle, on the edge of the car park, was a real live genuine Kiwi.

      1. Blehhh. That is definitely cheating. Probably better than spending 3 nights in the cold seeing nothing though.

  3. I have heard it compared to England too, but I don’t see that. Volcanic black sand, hot springs, all sorts of things that we could never see here. Saying that, some of the landscapes above look strangely familiar to anyone who lives in the UK.
    Regards as always, Pete. x

  4. So beautiful…lovely photos Jude, as always, and particularly love the soft focus around the cows! I can imagine it must be very difficult getting used to being back in Blighty, especially with our weather after all the lovely sunshine where you were. Not to mention that wonderful family time and with your grandson…I remember how I used to feel not only when I came back ‘home’ to England to visit for weeks with the kids and then return ‘home’ to California, and then when my mum would visit us and then leave after a few weeks. It used to take me a while to get used to everything again. A very strange feeling indeed, I used to feel quite lost for a time. I hope you are okay 🙂 xx

    1. I’m fine Sherri – thanks for your concern – it is difficult to adjust, but I suppose I have become used to a long distance relationship with Lorenzo’s half-sister over the years. Fortunately my son comes over here every couple of years, but you don’t have the same relationship as you probably know all too well. Time with the family went all too quickly and he won’t be a baby forever, but I am glad I had the chance to hold him and get to know him, he’s quite a character and I think he’ll get up to all sorts of mischief once he is on the move 🙂

  5. So beautiful Jude. We have begun chatting about a trip to Australia and New Zealand. Each of your posts from your trip convinces me more. 🙂

    1. Well worth it Sue – and this is from someone who loves Canada! You and Dave would be in your element in the south island!!

  7. LOVE the new look, Jude! New Year, new look? It’s really fresh and lovely. I notice you have a local walkabouts there in the sidedar so I’ll have to have a peek.

    So green and fertile looking. NZ really is the UK but with a soupcon of something, don’t you think? Beautiful photos. I look forward to a few more strolls with you. Many thanks 🙂

    1. New year, new theme – not sure about it yet, but I will either get used to it or change it. So far no-one has complained ❗

  8. These pictures make me drool. Could be the frigid weather here, but I’m much rather pack up and walk those fields and roads in your pictures. I can smell the wonderful, clear air. Sigh. Thank you for sharing.

    1. It wasn’t that hot there then, but easier than the heat in Sydney for walking. And despite the cloud cover the sun in NZ burns so slap on the sunscreen Tess and enjoy the quietness of the countryside (and the views of the sea).

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