The Parents Tour.

We had an interesting group to show around Zealandia. They were a group of parents and grandparents doing a parallel tour alongside their children. The children were part of a choral group touring New Zealand and giving performances. The parents travelled separately and had a holiday of their own. They attended the concerts but that was their only obligation.
They were a knowledgeable group who were most appreciative of being shown around. As with most groups they found Zealandia an extraordinary place - a Jurassic Park adventure. As one in my group was assisted by a walker, we took the pace slowly and kept to the main path. Out on the lower dam I talked about the pateke or brown teal as one was swimming nearby. As I talked about how vulnerable they are and how they cannot defend themselves, the one in front of us rushed out of the lake to harass a mallard which had been doing nothing in particular to aggravate it. It chased it along the dam and over the grassy edge before being satisfied causing us to laugh and me to say that though it knew how to take care of itself as far as other ducks went, it had no idea with mammals, preferring not to fly, instead just standing still and hoping not to be noticed. We watched as it tried to get back into the lake. Finally after some thought it settled on a jumping flapping movement and an ungainly flop into the lake. I love their chocolate colouring and their small size.
We talked about the fence then headed up the valley. The green geckos were out in a small patch of sun cuddling up together. A pair of tui gambolled about but refused to sing. The tuatara were out sunning themselves. A small robin turned up to observe us.
I talked about various plants. Rangiora always captures people's attention. The settlers' name for it was 'Bushman's comfort' as it was handy toilet paper.

Rangiora has the largest leaves of the daisy tree family

Bushman's Comfort or rangiora

In the early days it was the fad of young women to write letters on them and  send them as postcards to their friends. One of our family's treasures is one of these leaves sent to my great aunty in 1905.  It is now in Puke Ariki, New Plymouth's museum.

A letter on a rangiora leaf sent to my great aunty in 1905 from Stewart Island.

In no time our two hours disappeared an we had to reluctantly make our our way back to the Visitor's Centre. A couple of the parents decided to forgo the evening concert and head back for a night tour.

Our long summer continues, giving overseas visitors a rather unrealistic view of our city but I am not complaining - long may it continue!