A small walk about

As the weather is getting warmer we have enjoyed a few short walks.  I thought I would share of few of the things I have observed.  Some are pretty facinating if you ask me!

This is a tulip tree.  I know Auckland is not the only place that you can see them but I am amazed at how big the blossoms are....as big as a head!  We see these all over the place.  This is just a small one.

We went to Pupuke Lake yesterday.  We actually saw it just over a week ago and thought it was lovely but were surprized when we were told that you cannot really walk around it because so much of the lake-front property is privately owned.  We did walk by it yesterday and realized how difficult it really is.

Some interesting things about the lake.  It is less than 1 mile across and is less than 4 miles around.  At one point it is less than 300 yards from the sea.  It is a freshwater lake in a crater of an old volcano.  At its deepest point it is over 100 feet deep.  It does not have any rivers or creeks or streams filling it so fish cannot reproduce and it has to be stocked.  During the summer it is a busy place with lots of people playing it in.  College teams practice rowing on it.

It used to supply the area with drinking water but has not done so since the 1950's.  There is an old pump station.

It is used as a theatre for local groups etc.  There is something there this coming week so we will have to decide if we want to go and see it.  There is also a small restaurant that is open sometimes.  It looks from the menu that it is a crepe place featuring many breakfast items.  It does not, however, open before 9 on any morning so I think it would be a brunch place.

Dad's comment:  hum...you get pu and puke in the same water.  I don't think I want to drink it!