Kiwiana, Tulips and Warships.

With another beautiful Spring day in the offing for Friday an arrangement was made to accompany Caravan Club friends Don and Pamela to the Botanical Gardens in Wellington.

Kiwiana at Wellington Botanical Gardens  as part of the Rugby World Cup.

This fountain was installed in the Wellington Botanical garden in 1946 and refurbished in 2009.

Brazilian Coral tree in the Wellington Botanical gardens.

Along with other Council departments the Parks Department had set up a display of the flags of countries competing in the Rugby World Cup in Tulips and other flowers to create the right colours. Some of the flags were very good but some needed a stretch of the imagination.

The South African flag in flowers. Part of the Rugby World Cup.

Rugby pitch in flowers with the flags of Scotland and Argentina at the Botanical Gardens.

The Tree House in the Wellington Botanical gardens.

After spending an hour or so in this part of the gardens we ventured up to the Lady Norwood Rose Gardens for a picnic lunch. By this time the temperature had risen to a balmy 19⁰C drawing many office workers out of their offices for lunch in the sun and fresh air.

Looking down from the Tree House to the duck pond.

Lady Norwood Rose Garden, Unfortunately a little early for flowering. The Carter Observatory is on the skyline.

With the whole of the New Zealand Navy in port for their 70th Anniversary we headed off to Oriental Parade and the Overseas terminal where HMNZS Otago and HMNZS Te Mana were tied up. From the end of the Overseas Terminal we could also see the rest of the fleet tied up on wharves on the opposite side of the harbour. Unfortunately the ships were not open to the public until the week-end which coincides with the Rugby World Cup matches at the Wellington Stadium. With France versus Tonga on Saturday and New Zealand versus Canada on Sunday Wellington is going to be like London during the recent Royal Wedding, chaotic, so we thought we would stay at home for a change.

HMNZS Te Mana at the Overseas terminal for the Navy's 70th anniversary.

HMNZS Otago and Te Mana at the Overseas terminal.

HMNZS Canterbury with Pukai and Hawea astern

HMNZS Te Kaha another ANZAC class frigate.

Whilst driving around the waterfront we couldn’t help but notice all the temporary camp sites for motorhomes which were full to the brim. We have never seen so many rental motorhomes in one area at the same time. We estimated that we has seen at least a hundred motorhomes in all.  Amazing what something like the Rugby World Cup does to a country’s economy and what councils can do to accommodate such a huge influx of visitors.

The Chaffers Marina at the Overseas Terminal.

Pedal power to view Wellington’s waterfront.

Temporary parking for motorhomes near the Overseas Terminal. Museum Hotel in Cable St which was moved and nicked named the Hotel de Wheels.

Beautiful Oriental Bay. A lot of the sand came out of old sailing ships used as ballast when lightly loaded with passengers.