kauri museum at Matakohe

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Uncle George and Auntie Beb invited us for a day out to the museum yesterday. It takes about an hour to get there by car, its south a bit and west a bit, and on the largest harbour in the southern hemisphere, we think ( George put me right about the "estuary" -- its a harbour, since estuary implies only one river. I thought I'd got it wrong!). It was really interesting, dealing with every aspect of kauri trees and the forest. you know how I love amber, well there's a huge room full of kauri gum pieces, looks just like amber. 2 pieces had dead geckos trapped in them, I've never seen that before, and some had been carved into lighthouses (with flashing lights), clocks and palaces. My favourites were just plain untouched or polished a bit. There was a piece of kauri there 30,000,000 years old. it was dug from a swamp, and a local woodcarver had made some things with it and said it was no different from recent wood, even smelled of wood. The swamp kauri is pretty valuable, so i think George will be having a close look round the paddocks (not fields!) today.
We came home on a spectacular route over the Brynderwens, a range of hills that give breathtaking views over Whangarei, well we were coming that way. if you went towards Auckland, I expect you'd see that!!!!!


Sorry the photos are dark, I lightened them last night, but it hasn't transferred to the blog.

And who is the late night visitor to the blog I wonder. The statistics tell me the times of viewing, is there an insomniac. Or could be a new Zealander, now I come to think of it.

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Photos

morning tea
that has to be the first stop, provided by Beb and eaten on a bench outside the museum.

the plank
cut from a single trunk. And all the woodwork you can see on the gallery is also made from the same tree. I love the colour.

quilt
there was a quilting exhibition taking place, and this was my favourite. Must have been my day for geckos. Joyce, I include this for you, remember that day in the summer holidays?

Beb in the bath
You can't take her anywhere (twice). But she would climb in the kauri bath!

George and Alex
Well, at least you can see them!

Comments

[Biggaspade]

Where?
Come on Carrie. Where is all the in depth factual reporting full of latin names and incredible species? I cant cut and paste this into the ITF newsletter. Next committee meeting on Tuesday - be there (or be square). Jay.

[Higblog]

Latin Names
well just watch this space! You never know, what is about to appear on a day to day basis. I am learning quite a lot from my cousin, Robyn who mixes rhododendrons with azaleas!! ha ha