Pukemokemoke Reserve

The Pukemokemoke bush reserve is about 25 minutes drive from Hamilton, and the walk there is a similar length to the top (unless you do the longer Nor-East loop). It's a nice hidden away spot of bush, a historic pa site, and a good place to get a bit of exercise on a proper bush track. A map can be found further down this post.

Pukemokemoke Bush Reserve Sign

Pukemokemoke Bush Reserve  - Looking across entry bridge

The reserve was formed in 1993 after the land was donated by David Johnstone, and has undergone recent improvements. Since I was last here, new signs have been erected, and even a Gazebo generous donated by the Freegard family.

Pukemokemoke Bush Reserve - Log Hauler site with Gazebo

Of course, signs aren't the reason you come, nor is a gazebo, though it is the sort of facility I might make use of in the future. The real reason you'd come is that this is a nice patch of bush, some of it left from when the area was logged, and some regen, and convinient to town.

There are even a few old Kauri left, put please heed the warnings about cleaning shoes and gear because of Kauri dieback (Phytophthora taxon Agathis). Basic facilities are provided to clean your gear at the start of each track.

Pukemokemoke Bush Reserve - Kauri

In addition to aforementioned Kauri, the reserve also has all manner of other native trees, including large totara. The main track is a loop, you can depart in either left or right direction from the carpark. Should you go left, you'll climb up a steeper track, through the old Pa site and Kauri grove up to the Kawakawa grove. From here, you should ascend to the trig for worthwhile views, then back to the Kawakawa grove (this is a siding). Then, down to the Log Hauler site (where the above Gazebo stands), and back to the carpark.

Pukemokemoke Bush Reserve

Pukemokemoke Bush Reserve

Pukemokemoke Bush Reserve - view from trig tower

Pukemokemoke Bush Reserve - trig tower



Pukemokemoke Bush Reserve - Geodetic Survey Mark (Trig) A343



Pukemokemoke Bush Reserve (map is linked)



Inn the Park

A neat little moc from eurobricker NovaStar, entitled Inn the Park, of the sort of cafe you find in the middle of a park. Though it looks nothing like it, it reminds me of drinking iced tea in the Pavillion Kiosk in the Sydney Domain.

Inn the Park by NovaStar

Original topic

Winter Garden and Auckland Domain

What better place to go on Auckland anniversary weekend than Auckland?

The Auckland Domain has a lot to offer - particularly when Music in Parks is on - Jazz at the Rotunda in this case.

Music in Parks - Jazz at the Rotunda

The artist in question today: The Alan Brown Quartet with Gimel. Jazz seems ideal for this venue - the music carries well throughout the area, allowing you to enjoy the sights the gardens offer whilst not missing out on the music.

The band Rotunda, Auckland Domain (complete with band)

So what else is there at the domain? First off, gardens, and of course the Winter Gardens, built in 1913 as part of the Auckland Industrial Exhibition. As you'll see from the historic photo below - they haven't changed much, which makes me happy - I like the architecture of these wonderful glasshouses, and the Auckland Council does a great job keeping the gardens in constant bloom. A walk around the domain and winter gardens can easily consume half an afternoon... particularly if you have fond memories of it as a child.

Monarch Butterfly - Auckland Domain

Valkyrie Sanctuary - Auckland Domain

Monarch Butterfly - Auckland Domain

Winter Garden flowers - Auckland Domain

Winter Garden flowers - Auckland Domain

Winter Garden flowers and Bumble bee- Auckland Domain

Lilies - Winter Garden - Auckland Domain

Lilies - Winter Garden - Auckland Domain

Lilies - Winter Garden - Auckland Domain

Lilies - Winter Garden - Auckland Domain

Winter Garden - Auckland Domain 2011

Winter Garden - Auckland Domain 2011

Winter Garden - Auckland Domain 2011

Winter Garden - Auckland Domain 2011

Winter Garden - Auckland Domain - Historic undated photo

Hamilton Lake

The weather this morning wasn't too bad, considering a cyclone has just passed over, but it was still rather windy this morning, so my walk was in a reliable place - Hamilton Lake.

Sadly, I didn't think to clear out my SD card this morning, so about 10 minutes into the 45 minute loop, I'd filled it up. Photos below however.

The wind made the lake look more like a sea, with spray all over the paths. What made things even more interesting was the Waka Ama racing which was talking place.

Waka Ama - Lake Rotorua (Hamilton Lake)

Waka Ama - Lake Rotorua (Hamilton Lake)

Waka Ama - Lake Rotorua (Hamilton Lake)

Waka Ama - Lake Rotorua (Hamilton Lake)

Ducks near Lake Rotorua (Hamilton Lake)

In search of decent Fish and Chips

Fish and Chips are great, with one caveat - they must be made properly. Otherwise they are god-awful.

Over the last few months I've put up with a lot of the later - the problem is, the Seafood Bazaar in Rototuna was sold - to people who don't know how to prepare fish, nor chips!

I may have found a replacement - the Provincial Chip Co in the Cambridge Road shops in Hillcrest. (The premises used to contain Hillcrest Fish Supply, which wasn't bad either).

Sorry, no photos because the weather tonight is awful - a cyclone is rolling in - but the place is small and tidy, and very clean (easily the cleanest fish and chip shop I've EVER been in), and sells chips, a variety of fish, and a few gourmet-ish burgers and the like. I've only ever had the fish and chips here though.

My snapper was nicely crumbed, and the chips are real hunks of potato (none of this re-constituted rubbish), and everything was deep fried as you would expect, but most importantly, left to drip - you won't find grease on the paper or cardboard the chips came wrapped in.

Add some tomato sauce (or my preference, mayo), and you're set. If you're looking for a fish and chip shop in Hamilton, this place is worth the drive across town. 8/10.

Cape Palliser and the South Coast - July last year

The southern-most tip of the north island is a favourite place of mine - how can you go wrong with Seals as company? Possibly what Captain Cook thought, naming the area after his friend Admiral Hugh Palliser.

In any case, here are some photos of my visit there in July...

Cape Palliser - Lighthouse

Cape Palliser - Fur Seals

Cape Palliser

Cape Palliser - Stairs to lighthouse

View from Cape Palliser Lighthouse

View from Cape Palliser Lighthouse

Cow, near Ngawi - with reflections

What a depressing book: Britain's Lost Cities by Gavin Stamp

I bought a book the other day - Britain's Lost Cities, by Gavin Stamp (ISBN 13: 9781845135232) - and what a depressing book it is.

Britain's Lost Cities - Gavin Stamp

I've always assumed that much of what is missing in modern streetscapes happened over the last forty years or so, or during the Wars in the case of Great Britain and Europe. But, it turns out, much of the destruction was even earlier.
This book chronicles much of what has gone from the British streets, and how it came to be. The car is to a large extent responsible - while the railways had cut through the cities in Victorian times, they had a relatively small footprint compared to more modern dual carriageways and ring roads. By the 1930's, businessmen and planners where already drawing new plans for centuries old places, and much of the demolition had begun in earnest.

World War II of course provided the perfect excuse - a small amount of damage would be enough to excuse the immediate demolition of a building...

... and post World War II, the need for new housing and "reconstruction" would lead to more destruction still. (In places like Bristol they would demolish what was left standing rather than build where there rubble had been cleared).

This book chronicles it all, complete with many hundreds of historic photos, and leads you back to a time long gone. A very worthwhile read, particularly at just a smigeon over $25 NZ from the bookdepository, including freight.

There isn't much left of this scene: Hamilton, 1964

The following photo was taken during the Hamilton Centennial celebrations, in fact, the image was taken on the 22nd of August 1964. A question for all you Hamiltonians though - where was this image taken?

Hamilton Centennial Parade - 22 August 1964

The clues:
Only one building in the image still exists.
There are now trees in the middle of this street.
The South British buildings site on in the foreground now has a bank.

The answers:
The building that still exists was the Post Office. This is of course no longer a Post Office at all.
The parade went through the main street - the photo is of Victoria Street.
Victoria Street has trees - in particular since the Main Street upgrade which was part of City Heart.
The bank which is now in the foreground is Westpac. BNZ is in the background.
The Regent Theatre in the middle ground was demolished by HCC - they are now part owners of the Novotel on the site.

The "now" picture, taken the other day.

Hamilton 2010 - Victoria Street looking South from Ward Street intersection.

The King's Speech

Went to the Lido again yesterday - watched the King's Speech.


As the Duke of York, Albert gave a speech at Wembly stadium in 1925. Needless to say, that speech wasn't much of a speech, as the Duke suffered from a severe stammer. Could I say, the King's Speech was no good! This movie follows Albert through his life to become King George VI, and overcome his speech impediment. The last King's Speech in the movie was a great improvement, and just what the British public needed to here as the empire faced war with Nazi Germany.

Albert, or "Bertie" befriends and is treated by speech therpist Lionel Logue, in an amusing story which gives interesting insights into the Royal family at the time. I had completely forgotten about the quick ascension to the throne after his brother Edward, and the death of his younger brother, Prince John.

I won't reveal the story, but this is a must-watch. I'd give this movie a 9/10. I'll ignore the smear tactics that this movie supposedly glosses over the fact that King George VI was sympathetic to Nazism. As far as I'm concerned this isn't really a part of the story told here, as the story ends just as the war began.

A new Lego exclusive set: 10219 - Maersk Container Train

Still no word on the next modular building, but this emerged from the wood-work of the Lego site today. I'd definately like to own this one...

Lego 10219 - Maersk Train

Hopefully this set won't be too difficult to obtain, being an exclusive set and all...

What to do in Hamilton on a wet day? Waikato Museum

On a day like today, I often find myself wondering what to do - it's wet, so a walk is more or less out of the question, and there is little enjoyment to be had shopping on a wet day - it's busy and especially aggrevating when you don't need anything.

So, we went to Waikato museum. There are as always a few exhibitions on - only two of real interest to me, which are:

Never a Dull Moment focuses on Hamilton's history - and features much of the sort of history that I feature on this blog. There were even a few interesting photos that I'd never seen before, and a re-cap of much of the city's history. The history in this exhibit starts after the land-wars, and carries through just past WWII. Probably 30-90 minutes of material here.

Never A Dull Moment - Hamilton Stories (Waikato Museum)

Ngaa Pou Whenua tells the story of the four tribes that descend from the Tainui canoe - Waikato, Pare Hauraki, Raukawa and Maniapoto. While the exhibit is small, it is an interesting insight into the history of the tribes, and their modern form. Most enjoyable for me was some modern Maori art - a nice change from the ubiquitous traditional styles. The exhibit has maybe around 20 to 60 minutes worth of material.

Ngaa Pou Whenua (Waikato Museum)