Similar to Open Garden Day in the villages in summer, this event took us around some of the most fabulous gardens in the area.
Rather than walking to each one however, they were a 15 minute drive apart and the owners took you round personally!
There was a delightful Chinese garden, with bonsai and carved wooden furniture. Tiny, dainty walkways and pebbled paths fringed with bamboo. We expected to see pandas at the end!
There were gardens which reminded us of home, with foxgloves and roses climbing over walls. One with beehives and sweeping lawns; we bought honey taken from the hive that morning and sat and ate cream scones among the orange blossom.
One of our favourites was built up from the mangroves on the bay, winding paths with different coloured acers and stunning views of the sea. The owner had an impressive collection of orchids and an amazing selection of vegetable beds. The lemons were bigger than your hand!
My personal favourite was designed by Ted Smythe, incredible waterfall frames of Waiheke island and the views out to sea. There was an impressive hukka of dragon trees and decking that flowed out to the beach. I could have stayed all day!
The confirmed family favourite were the Whitford Bird Gardens, where a group of us were taken round by the artist owner, Blake Twigden.
We were told amazing stories of his travels, shown his incredible paintings of birds and met birds who looked as if they had been painted - unreal! And waterdragons... We even had a tour of his artist's studio. On my list of 'wishes' goes his painting of the bird of paradise we saw there!
The photo shows the girls next to a tree grown from One Tree, when it was cut down - a piece of living Auckland history.
All in all a sunshiny, gorgeous day! Oh, and Devon the teddy was welcomed to the family!
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