Purple pleasure

 Spring is finally here, and the wisteria at Kuirau Park is looking fantastic this year.

Sulphur, Steam, and Visitors

Larisa and Marcus are visiting from Germany.  They spent the day at Waiotapu and Kerosene Creek.  We showed them around Kuirau Park.

There are plenty of mud pools, and hot water pools to get the whiff of sulphur.

 The large hot water spring near Lake Road is my favourite part of Kuirau Park.  Lots of colour and steam.

 Anneke and Markus wanted to see how deep the mud was.  All the way up the stick.

 I  don't know what bird this is.

 At the end, a soak of the feet in the footpools.

Markus, Larisa and Oscar

Green Corridor Opening

Exciting evening.  The new Green Corridor from Government Gardens to Kuirau Park was officially opened.

The green corridor goes down Hinemoa, Tutanekai, and Haupapa streets.  The urchins couldn't wait to try it.

Erik, Oscar and Anneke started off at the Redwoods, with a group of friends, and cycled into town.  The event started at the Arts Village, lots of green going on.

Anneke rode ahead with Tom and Lewis.

 There was a massive turnout, of all ages, and different sizes of bikes.

  Erik and Oscar were in the "third wave".

Everyone gathered at the playground at Kuirau Park.

The Kapa Haka entertained.

The storm moved closer and the children played until it rained.

When it rained, the children relocated to the foot pools instead.

Kuirau Park in the Springtime

Tighe and Quinn explored Kuirau Park, while we waited for the cyclists at the opening of the Green Corridor.  We could see a storm coming, and I hoped the riders would be finished before it rained.

Look Mama, no hands.

 The rhododendrons looked fabulous, and the urchins found plenty of things to climb.

The tulips stood tall, and the bedding flowers were a rainbow of colour.

 The wisteria over the bridge perfumed the air, and I loved the stormy sky.

 Near the foot pools the Azalea's were blooming, and provided colour near the playground.

Kuirau Park with Sophia

Sophia is visiting from Germany, so we got to play tourist, and showed her around the free thermal park of Kuirau Park.

Sophia enjoying the footpools

Lots of steam and sulphur and mud pools.

I always imagine this is what New Zealand looked like at the time of the Dinosaurs.  Very primitive.

I just love the colour and shapes of the algae