Luvapuzzle: New Zealand April 18th -Hamilton to Rotorua

We started off our day with a trip to the local Hamilton (Taitua) Arboretum. This is situated on the outskirts of the city, and we entered from the wrong direction, but we enjoyed our hour or so of strolling amongst the trees , chooks, and amongst the ponds on a lovely sunny day.
There were quite a few families out for a stroll today too.

These were the size of a small pine cone. This one is dry

This one is fresh.

A better example of my "butterfly tree" from yesterday

Bamboo tunnel

Very felonies able ginkgo leaves in the sunlI got.

There were many roosters, chickens, ducks around.

Stepped hillside. We have seen lots of these this trip.

Letterbox for you Kay

From our parking spot we could see a large white building below. We were curious as to what it was, so found our way back down the hill to find that it is a huge Latter Day Saints temple. They appear to be building a whole new suburb around it!

Just past here we saw a cow's water trough on wheels. Maybe this is so they can move it to higher ground when needed???

There are numerous hedges and corn crops at the sides of the roads.

Our next stop was the tiny town of Tirau. Here someone has been very creative with corrugated iron.

The sheep houses a wool information centre and the dog is the tourist information centre. Local businesses and community organisactions have also got on board enthusiastically.

We decided to give the 9 km walk to and from the springs nearby miss. We will have plenty of exercise tomorrow it seems.

We made our way to Hamarana, where we have an airbnb for the next 3 nights.

We were greeted with the news that the anticipated kayaks are in the boat shed which is flooded and locked closed until the lake level drops. The lake is the highest it has been for at least 50 years with winter on its way.!

We have a back until of our own, with living and kitchen area and a lovely bedroom . It will suit us very well.

We finished up the day by heading into Rotorua for a spot of sightseeing and some dinner. Icecream for the icecream boy in the fancy "Eat Street" section of town.