When we had the base course for the drive put down, and the entrance block work put up, it became clear that the plane trees we planted 3 years ago were quite a way off centre with where the drive ended up being placed. Also, over the 3 years it became clear that some of the trees were growing at different rates. So, we had a tree spade come in to dig up all the trees, swap them all around so that the heights were more balanced, and place them very accurately and symmetrically on either side of the drive (within an inch or two).
Above: A photo taken of the trees last year. One wouldn't want to dig out 30 of these with a spade and shift them by hand. The other good thing about the tree spade is that all the bulbs which were planted around the base of the trees were transplanted as well.
Above: Tree spade cutting the hole
Below: Planting the trees
Peter has been busy knocking out wooden squares to go around all our new trees, to hold the mulch and bulbs in. He has got it down to a fine art. We should have plenty of timber left for building the potting shed, and making borders for the Lime Walk and Bluebell Walk.
We have planted up the second stretch of the driveway with a further 14 Plane Trees, and have been at work mapping out and planting up Badger's Wood. We have also started planting up all our urns and pots with fresh potting mix and spring flowers, and have started preparing a site for our boutique vineyard, which we shall share with you in our next post.
While we have been busy at that, the Dorset Horns have kept giving birth to late lambs. No more Highlands yet. They must be due by the end of this month though.
Well, Manly March is at an end and Easter is almost upon us. So too are my clinical finals in Melbourne - one month today. So, with much to do, We turn our focus to the task at hand.
After the exam We will return to the Country Estates of Britain series, with 3 posts waiting in the wings. Till then onwards and upwards, like this Plane tree, planted in the driveway only 3 years ago, which at the time was the height of Peter's Wellingtons!
Welcome to the 5th post in the Manly March pictorial series: Wings fixed and rotary...
Private Jets
Forget all that queueing at the LHR or LAX; all that personal intrusion by the polyester-clad guards as One is forced to strip down almost to One's under garments, empty out One's neatly packed luggage, and be irradiated from head to toe in a scanner. Just simply step out of your limo and alight the steps of your private jet...
Arrived refreshed and ready...
for business...
or pleasure....
Private Choppers
If landing strips seem a waste of good space, why not invest in a chopper.
Excellent for reaching those hard to reach places, and those places without a landing strip...
Good enough for a Diamond Queen
NB: Willowbrook Park does not condone the use of environmentally unfriendly modes of transport. These posts are all in the name of fun, marvel and wonder! Incidentally, one of my colleagues owns a plane in which he often flies away for the weekend and sometimes to work. His plane costs about $150 per flying hour to run, whereas a helicopter costs about $500 per flying hour to run. So for style and economy the fixed wings have it.
Well, it was a great weekend. Well organised and well attended - as you can see, heaps (well over half of the people there) were in 1930-40s attire. Two Cruise ships had come in that day, bringing with them over 4000 tourists as well. Here is a pictorial synopsis of the weekend...
The day kick started at noon with the annual parade of vintage cars...
The motors provided a stunning backdrop for fashionable flappers and the dashingly dapper alike...
There were some traditional takes on Deco fashions...
and some not so traditional ones...
During the festivities, the armed forces put on several displays and performed ceremonial duties...
and military outfits were de rigeur for some...
Then the Red Checkers put on an amazing display of Aerobatics during their airshow...
They were flying mainly over the bay, I guess for safety.
The beach itself was lovely, with a clean blue sea and a display of yet more vintage automobiles...
And the amateur photographers were out in force (myself included)...
There was a swing band, called Brett's New Internationals. They were really good. Unfortunately they don't have an albumn out, but I really think they should...
During the day I became fascinated with the vintage hood ornaments / car mascots..
I can remember seeing Lalique car mascots years ago on the BBC Antiques road show and being wowed at the time. So in the afternoon I decided to make a study of some of the 200 bonnets on show. Here is a selection of my efforts...
There were also quite a few vitage motorcycles on display...
and even some traction engines...
We stayed with friends who offer boutique accomodation on the bluff hill overlooking Napier. They also run a great wine tour company called Vines and Views. Definitely the friendliest and best value tour of the Hawkes Bay Viticulture tours, run by Ross, who has worked in the viticulture industry for years.
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