Week 38/52 - 'Nothing In Common'

Last week I had the best fun with my dear friend Denise.  She sometimes doesn't work Friday and last Friday was one of those.  We had arranged to go to the Waikato Cherry Tree Festival so she came down Thursday afternoon.  This encouraged me to dragged the old vacuum cleaner around the house.

Next I got the guest room sorted and

Wavy Envied the hell outta my hair.

Denise arrived with a bunch of Daffodils and loads of treats to eat and drink, she always comes with plenty of supplies.  This time I was ready, I made her one of my woolen hearts filled with Lavender.

We headed round to our friend Vicki's place where we chatted, laughed and pre loaded on nibbles before we went out to meet the rest of our 'Nothing In Common' ladies.

Here we all are, Me, Denise, Karen, Vicki and Cherie. We chatted,  laughed, ate and drank.  Nothing in Common except we get on super well and we have all known each other for at least 20 years, and we really enjoy each others company.  It got loud at times but we were all very well behaved and home by 10pm, that is early for us!!  We had a Festival to attend and the other three had work the next day so we were super grown up for the evening.

Friday morning arrived so after breakfast, showers and getting ready for our day we were out the door off to Matangi/Tamahere.  The Cherry Tree Festival was being held at private residence, the English Cherry Tree Manor, that opened its home last year to this festival.  

The couple purchased the land 22 years ago, apparently it was a flat empty paddock back then.  They planted 40 Cherry trees among other trees along the edges of their 125m driveway.  They would find people in their drive taking photos so they decided to start the Cherry Tree Festival.

 

The blossom was stunning and seeing our native bright yellow Kowhai among it was just gorgeous.  We walked the length of the drive breathing in the beauty with a gazillion other people, it was very busy.

Their home is an old 1930's house that was transported down from Auckland in 5 parts and sits on their 5 acre property.  I would love to have gone inside.  Opposite it on the circle driveway was one huge Cherry Blossom Tree.  Our timing was impeccable as we got to see some traditional entertainment.

After the Tai Chi

we decided to wander around

the rest of the beautiful gardens.

There were these beautiful stone walls and wooden gates everywhere , I was in heaven.

We followed a bamboo fence that lead us to the most delightful pond with a weeping cherry tree and Gazebo.  My photos just don't do this garden justice, it was amazing.

This stilt walker was getting ready to do her thing when we were leaving, so glad we got to see her.  Very cool outfit, and how she manages those tall stilts is a mystery to me.

We then drove to Hamilton Gardens as it was now Lunch time and the worms were beginning to bite!!  Also the Tulips were all on show as the Tulip Festival was on the following day.

As they are every Spring, SPECTACULAR!!  Of course we had to lay down as 'tip toeing through the Tulips' just isn't allowed!!

We also went into the Victorian Glass Houses where the flowers inside look so good they didn't seem real, oh but they are!!

What a beautiful colourful day it was, spent in the sunshine with a beautiful friend.  Denise headed back to Auckland and I carried on with my afternoon.  Back to my own very colourful garden.

When the boys were little there was a saying the teachers at school would say to all the children: "To have good friends you need to be a good friend".  How very true is that?  I think I must be a good friend as I have many amazing people in my life I can honestly call GOOD FRIENDS!!

So wear one!!