Mt Ruapehu through the toe toe . .Last weekend I drove my youngest daughter to Wellington to begin her new life at University. We went as far as Fielding Sat to stay with my cousin Theresa and family, then on to Wellington on Sunday. It is a 7 hour drive from home through really pretty countryside most of the way. I chose to go down through National Park and back on the Desert rd, both trips on either side of the mountains. In the middle of the North Island are 3 large mountains and the biggest lake (Taupo) in NZ - a volcanic region with both Ruapehu and Ngaruahoe both letting off steam now and then. The weather was great both days, I just wish I had felt more like taking photos, instead I cried most of the way home - thank goodness for sunglasses ! Ellena is my baby and it has been just her and I for the last 10yrs - I miss her. . She has worked so hard and has wanted to go to Uni in the capital city for most of her High school years.
In the pic above Ruapehu towers over the small ski resort town of Ohakune - this place is very busy in the winter with many chalets and places to stay - not alot of snow on the mountain at this time of the year.
The Wanganui river winds its way from its beginning on the mountains all the way down to the west coast - through the King Country region I grew up in. I was shocked to see how small it is now compared to when I was a child - there is a dam controlling the water flow further up really reducing the amount of water flowing down - a real shame as there are some amazing rapids along the river and it is a wonderful place to canoe on.
Bee hives belonging to a commercial beekeeper in the King Country - I saw his hives alot along the road through to the mountains - he is one of the few who paints his hives all the same colour - I think they look good.
5 comments:
I love the drive to Wellington too. But I feel your sadness: we try hard to bring our kids up to be independent adults, able to go out and do the things they want to - then, damn it, that's just what they do! And we are left with this mixed bag of emotions: so glad they are doing their own thing, and yet missing them like hell xoxox
Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures. I understand what you are feeling. We have been empty nesters for just a couple years and it is quite a transition. It does get a little easier but they are still your babies in your heart!
I still remember the sadness I felt when my daughter left for collage.....there was a huge empty place inside me. Then I had to go through it again when my son left. It's different with a daughter though, we were always so much closer. I feel for you and just want to say "good job mom" because of you she's doing exactly what we wish for them to do, growing up and making her own way. Love all the pictures, thank you for sharing with us.
What a sad but beautiful short tale. What a fantastic drive to take together that I'm sure you'll both always remember fondly despite your daughter's temporary departure. Thinking of you.
Oh, I am glad I found this blog. Thanks for lovely pictures, I will visit often!
Post a Comment