Progress of a Wellington garden

23 Nov '06 8:32 am

This is the home of my daughter and her family in Wellington ,NZ .It is set deep in the bush overlooking the beautiful harbour .You can see the South island from their deck.
The first photo is looking towards the deck they built around their home .The tree is a South island beech ,where native pigeons like to sit and survey everything .They have mostly natives which grow happily ,but there are a few other plants such as the wisteria on the right ,which greets visitors as they climb up the steep track .
Dixie

23 Nov '06 8:36 am

This is looking in the other direction .(wisteria on the left ) A grape vine clambers over a pergola -a shady spot in Summer .The steps in the background go up to the back garden where they grow vegetables.
Dixie

23 Nov '06 8:40 am

Cromaghty - the neighbours' scotty visiting .The wisteria is about to flower ,and you can see two acers...The steps are really steep and go down into the bush from where the scotty is .
Dixie

23 Nov '06 8:46 am

This was formerly an area overgrown with weeds .There were also huge clumps of agapanthus which I helped dig out and brought to my home .
They paved the whole area with bricks themselves ,and inlaid mosaics ... Here they are concreting the bricks in ,as it is easier to keep clean and tidy .The photo is taken from their living room ...
Dixie

23 Nov '06 8:55 am

Time to stop for a discussion.
The road is away over by the distant trees ,reached by climbing up and down zig zag paths .( door to door salesmen NEVER call ! )There are seven children under the age of five living in the bush here ,and one of the Dads made a super tree hut for everyone to play in ,just out of sight below this area .
Dixie

23 Nov '06 9:02 am

The last three photos were taken last weekend.
My granddaughter and I made a mosaic stepping stone for the area where the steps go up to the vegetable garden .She really liked wrapping the tile up carefully in an old towel ,and hitting it with a hammer to break it up .
Then we glued the broken pieces in a flower pattern on to the concrete circle ....Red on a white and yellow background .Here she is stirring the grout ready to pour on and smooth out.
Dixie.

23 Nov '06 9:51 am

I have just found this photo I took quite a while ago ,from the deck of my daughter's home. It is looking towards the entrance to the Wellington harbour ,with Cook Strait beyond .The south island can be seen on a clear day beyond the main city area in the distant right of the photo .
This is a very steep position ,and overlooks the rooftops of houses beneath. The ubiquitous plastic chairs and table have now been replaced with sturdy wooden outdoor furniture.
Dixie

23 Nov '06 1:22 pm

It's just beautiful where they live. A paradise.
It must be wonderful sitting there taking in the view. Smile

24 Nov '06 4:20 am

Yes, ditto what Anna said...a wonderful paradise...such a glorious sight, indeed!!
Garden progress pictures are great too. It's a lovely wonderful feeling when I see young couples working together on a home project and roping in children and parents to aid too! Thanks, dear Dixie for sharing these loving scenes! Very Happy

29 Nov '06 3:25 am

Dear Dixie,

I just discovered your post! I think Jacqueline expresses exactly how I feel! Your children -- and you! -- are so lucky, so blessed having such a place to live as your home! They are so lovely all of them working together under the sun in their paradisiac garden!

A N. Zealand friend had once told me, that N. Zealanders are somehow "shy" or timid, when they leave home, going abroad...Oh, how I understand them! Leaving THIS blessed , harmonious and serene birth land of yours, going abroad... Sometimes could feel like a strike on the stomach...depending on the place, of course...

Progress of a Wellington garden

Progress of a Wellington garden

Wellington

another view

formerly overgrown

discussion

making a mosaic

Wellington Harbour entrance.

A serene Paradise..