[Sam B]

I usually think that I live in a slightly uninspiring part of NZ, scenery wise, but it looks fantastic at the moment! I'm really enjoying my drive to Tokoroa each day. The Waikato defo looks best in Autumn. The hills are really green, and look like a rucked up green blanket (they are a weird lumpy shape round here). The lack of native bush isn't such a problem, because there are loads of deciduous trees and they look wonderful - gold, red, brown, yellow. And because there's hardly any wind here, the leaves stay on for a long time (unlike Cornwall where they all seemed to drop off in one windy night).

In the morning, the air is crisp, there is mist rising over the Waikato and deep blue skies; in the evening, the light is really special and the sky seems to go on forever. Just need bonfire night to top it off!

[thezorbster]

The autumn colours seem to be going on forever here too - so beautiful! Plus we went to a fireworks display a few weeks ago which made it seem like a proper autumn! (except it wasn't cold, damp, foggy and miserable) - it was warm enough that we didn't really need coats on.

Glad you're enjoying the landscape Sam.

[pinkpiggy]

Autum is one of my favourite times of the year. I love to see all the different colours unfortunately don't get to see much on my drive into work. I'm also enjoying the red skies in the evening.

[Danny & Julie]

I agree the Waikato looks stunning in Autumn. Have you been to the Arboretum near Whatawhata? We've been a few times, I'll attach a photo from last weekend.

[kowhai]

The Hamilton City Gardens are well worth visiting at this time of the year too.

http://www.tourism.net.nz/new-zealand/attractions/sightseeing-and-leisure/gardens/hamilton/hamilton-gardens/index.html

[lockstock]

It really is gorgeous here in Hamilton - especially the Gardens. Perahps worth mentioning that we go there regularly and the dogs now consider is their own!

[Potato]

Autumn is one time of the year when I think those crazy settlers were onto something :D
Yes, they may have brought with them rabbits and ferrets and starlings and sparrows (and so on), but I'm so glad they decided to plant heaps of deciduous trees. The NZ bush, which normally is so beautiful, is not as inspiring in autumn as the exotics.

Central Otago has a reputation for autumn colours too :)

http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/3237/img5144os7.th.jpg (http://img234.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img5144os7.jpg)

[pinkpiggy]

I agree the Waikato looks stunning in Autumn. Have you been to the Arboretum near Whatawhata? We've been a few times, I'll attach a photo from last weekend.

Lovely photo. We haven't been to the Arboretum yet but it was recommended to me just this week. Now on our list of places to visit. :nice1 BTW, how's the house?

[Danny & Julie]

Paula the house is great, glad the stress of the build is over!!! It completely took over our lives. We are getting settled in now & enjoying the rural life. Still lots to do with the land but we have forever to work on it:)
We take the dog to the Arboretum quiet often because it's not far from us. Its a nice walk.
How are you? Still in Rototuna?

[sweetpea]

The hills are really green, and look like a rucked up green blanket (they are a weird lumpy shape round here).

Wow! I thought I was the only one who thought the Waikato was beautiful. I love the rucked up hills - can't decide whether it's the underlying stone or the livestock use that makes it that shape, maybe a bit of each - and all the green.

Haven't got up to Cambridge yet (next year!), only over Kawhai Harbour/Te Kuiti/Te Awamutu way.

[Sam B]

This is the kind of thing I mean, hard to really capture it in a photo though:

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/brydons_2007/DSC_5972.jpg

[pinkpiggy]

Stunning photo Sam. Where is it?

Julie - Glad to hear you're settling in okay. We moved to Pukete at end of April - can you believe the same road you've just moved from!

[Sam B]

It's the park in the middle of Cambridge - urrr, I think it's called Te ko utu or something, can't be bothered to get off the sofa and look it up!

[Carey]

Wow, looks fab, can't wait to see it with my own eyes!
Like you we LOVE the native bush; please tell me there are a few bits near Cambridge? That you can get into?

[Sam B]

Yes, there is Maungakawa (v large hill) about 5-10 minutes drive out of town which is shrouded in protected bush and has a lovely walk. There is also Maungatautari, a mountain 15 minutes away with loads of protected bush and lots of walks. Apart from that there little bits and pieces here and there where the hills are too steep to graze. But the whole of the Waikato is generally lacking in native bush and native birds. Although the king country not so much.

If you look at my photo, you can see the bits of bush on the hills behind.

[Sam B]

Oh yes, the river has native bush growing on the banks in the centre of town, and has nice river walks.

[vixxann]

Sam, that's a lovely pic - thanks again for posting all your photos - gives me a smile on my face and reasoning behind all this madness at the moment :nice1

[Belmont Babes]

Also look at Lake Karapiro today, about 5km out of Cambridge. I wanted to walk up Maungatautari but the lazy Men in my life said they were too tired after Soccer. Another day.....

[pinkpiggy]

Great photo Nat. Remember to post on the Mega Piccy thread. :nice1

[vixxann]

Nat - I'm drooling over that :)
simply gorgeous

[StevieD]

Te Ko Utu park, lovely place to have a walk, the lake was actually a tributary of the Waikato river until the Taupo explosion debris blocked it off.

Nice pic Sam as always :nice1 Have put a pic of Jan and our mate admiring the scenery from her farm yesterday looking towards lake Karapiro

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e397/bluekiwi100/DSCF3389.jpg

[Danny & Julie]

Julie - Glad to hear you're settling in okay. We moved to Pukete at end of April - can you believe the same road you've just moved from!

We were almost neighbours :laugh We moved out the beginning of March. You'll love Pukete, I'm guessing you are by the river? Can't think of any other houses that were up for sale. Enjoy your new house, next time I'm in Pukete I'll come & say hi.