Historic venue

It may not look special but this is reputedly where New Zealand's first organised game of rugby took place, back in 1870.

The match, between two teams from Nelson, was inspired and organised by a guy who had spent time in England and seen the game played there.

New Zealand rugby has come on quite a lot since then and I fear the worst when the All Blacks play at Twickenham on Saturday, or as we know it here Sunday, at 0330 local. Will I get up for it, I wonder. Dave

Friday 28th November 2008

The relaxing walk on the beach

This morning saw us walking along the beach at Tahunanui, just outside Nelson, a lovely strand that appears to go on for miles, with drifting dunes and grassland behind that are protected from trampling in an effort to reduce erosion.

Dave wasn't really the only person out there, but there weren't many others.

Jean

Friday 28th November 2008

The less relaxing walk up Botanical Hill

The afternoon saw a different sort of walking. The goal was the summit of Botanical Hill, reputedly the geographical centre of New Zealand since John Spence Browning did a geodetic survey of the area in the 1870s.

The hill rises to an altitude of only 147 metres above sea level, but since the climb is from only a handful of metres at the bottom and the gradient is pretty steep in places, it presented a challenge to this unfit pensioner! I made it to the top though, gasping for breath, and was rewarded with some wonderful views.

On the way I was also blessed by seeing a yellow hammer. Various friends and family at home have seen these lovely birds in their gardens, but not me, so this was a special climb.
And is Botanical Hill the centre of New Zealand? No, it’s apparently in the Spooners Range, about thirty or so kilometres south west of here.

Jean