This morning we woke to bright sunshine and heat – by bedtime it was still 21 C; a nice surprise when we were expecting rain. We enjoyed the morning on the patio and answering emails. We had planned a trip to Hamilton Gardens for a terrace lunch; but with this heat we decided to wait until late afternoon and do grocery shopping first. We shopped for meat: beef, lamb, venison and chicken are in abundance! We chose minced beef for a Mexican plate & lamb butterfly chops. Tom couldn’t resist the lamb sausages for a BBQ on the patio! We dropped in to say hello to Hans at his cheese shop; more wonderful smells and 2 more taste sensations.
Around 3 pm we drove to Hamilton Gardens. The grounds are free admission with a series of round-a-bouts, paths and passageways to various gardens. Five collections of garden types exist. We managed to visit 4: Paradise, Productive, Fantasy and Cultivar. The Paradise and the Cultivar were favourites but all were a treat to the eyes and nose! We pinched the Herbs, smelled Perfume flowers, tapped the pumpkins, spoke of Maria & Emilio at the zucchini flowers and roamed the Rose gardens – something for everyone. We were stress-free by the time we left! Lesson 1: the large globed purple flowers that flourish here are Rhododendron and not Hydrangeas! Helen & Liz – you will love the colours!
In the Paradise collection, the Chinese, Japanese and India gardens were a retreat for calm & meditation; the English a sea of White Daisies & Roses; the American designed for kids with wading pools. The Cultivar we left for last and stayed in the Rose Garden the longest! We strolled around Turtle Lake. The turtles as well as the ducks came to see if we had food. Families were enjoying the lake’s cool breeze as they fed the ducks and birds; obviously a regular pastime. We were home before 7; didn’t need the map, took a bypass route and no detours! We have arrived! End of Day 8 - Kia Ora
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