7Nov
Taranaki Sustainable Backyards Trail
The Taranaki Sustainable Backyards Trail was a new feature of the Taranaki Gardens Festival this year. It showcased the grittier side of gardening.…
Moa by Jack Marsden Mayer
7Nov
Return to the Naki and Waiongana
Last year we were blown away by the incredible gardens in The Taranaki Garden Festival. This year was no different. Unfortunately the weather…
15Nov
Eva and Heina at home in Whanganui – a happy reunion
We have not visited Whanganui for some time so we made the tourist pilgrimage to i-Site and obtained an Arts Guide. In case…
10Nov
Jack Marsden Mayer – animal driftwood sculptures
"Just come to the back door, you can't miss it there's a dragon's head on the wall nearby; and I'll come down and…
10Nov
Paloma Gardens – a trip to a foreign land
We only found Paloma Gardens by chance. Derek was speaking to Jack Mayer (he of the driftwood sculpture fame) discussing our website project…
6Nov
Farewell to The Naki
9 days and 28 gardens later our Powerco Taranaki Garden Spectacular journey comes to an end. Having managed only 60% of the gardens…
5Nov
Gravetye – an ode to discipline
What’s not to admire about Gravetye. It is a testament to the owners’, Jenny and John Pease, design skill, green thumbs and most…
5Nov
Puketarata Garden
We arrive at Puketarata Garden feeling a little frazzled. Coming through the gate into the parking paddock we manage to clip the gatepost.…
30Oct
Day 3 : Jewels in the Crown
Tupare There are some absolute gems in Taranaki's garden tiara and today we visited two of them. First up, on a bright and…
29Oct
Day 2 : Let the sun shine in
The weather clears, the sun appears. Yaaaay! We seem to have spent so much time this year in Garden Artisan HQ (our motor-home)…