An avenue ...

 ... a road having having trees at regular intervals along its sides.  I think they're lovely.  Wonderful dappled light and often quite cool.  There's a lovely avenue of oak trees in Cornwall Park, but of special interest is the plaque at the start of the avenue.

Commemorative plaque in Cornwall Park, Auckland.

It's entitled "The Trees" and it is inscribed thus,

They who plant an avenue of trees cannot in the nature of things hope to enjoy them in their maturity and grandeur.  They plant for generations unborn.  Much that we have and prize today comes to us from our fathers.  they did not make or build to last their time but rather that something worthy should mark their passage and be their memorial.

Makes you think a little doesn't it?  In this world in which we live I seem to be finding fewer people with the attitudes of the avenue designers and planters of old.  No real thought for tomorrow,  just the here and now and most things are disposable rather than maintainable and repairable.  Somewhat sad really ... or is this just progress?

Besides lovely trees and views there's also Acacia Cottage which has the distinction of being Auckland's oldest timber building.  Quite a bit to see and enjoy at Cornwall Park really!

One of the many fine specimen trees in Cornwall Park.

Acacia Cottage in Cornwall Park.

Looking towards Auckland City's Skytower from Cornwall Park.

Victoria Park Tunnel

South entrance to the new Victoria Park tunnel, Auckland, New Zealand

It's open ... well, just to foot traffic today.  Motorists will have to wait a few more weeks before they're allowed to drive through the new tunnel.  Finished ahead of schedule by a good couple of months this new cut and cover tunnel should make life rather easier for those folk on the North Shore as they battle their way home after work.  I can't say I'm convinced it will have either a significant or long lasting benefit, but let's wait and see.

9.30am and the gates opened.  Close by Victoria Park are a couple of 'evacuation' points which hopefully will only be used for the maintenance crews to access the tunnel.  It was through these evacuation points that we gained access to the road beneath.  Several flights of stairs and then, there it was.  All three lanes of the north bound State Highway One. The lanes seemed a little narrow, but perhaps that was just my imagination?

On leaving the tunnel we were impressed by the new skate park. I took a couple of shots of the Maori carvings you can see in the park that I've included at the end of this post.

Welcome to the tunnel!  Clever use of lighting ensures your eyes have time to adjust to the darkness as you enter and the bright sunlight as you exit.  This shot was taken at the Northern end of the tunnel as the road approaches Westhaven Marina.

Access way underneath Victoria Park.  The road is off to the right behind the wall.   Fireproof access ways are provided every 25m in case anything untoward happens on the road.

Contrast between old and new?  Traditional Maori carving and the more modern Skytower in the background.

Old style formatting with a light vignette to accentuate the traditional nature of this carving.

A lovely day

Looking towards Auckland City from Bastion Point.

What a glorious day we had with friends yesterday.  The friends had never visited Auckland before, so a quick tour of the sights was in order.  After living in a place for some time you often start to take things for granted due to their familiarity.  I must say that I've always seen Auckland as a lovely city, but taking visitors on a tour helped us to appreciate the place we live just that little bit more.  We are truly very fortunate to live in such a beautiful city.

Even thought the day was pretty overcast we had a great time.  Up "One Tree Hill" to enjoy the views across both harbours, check out the old buildings and wonderfully landscaped parkland.  Cornwall Park is a real gem in Auckland's jewelry of treasures.

After "One Tree Hill" we headed towards Mission Bay for Fish'n Chips at the Fish Pot Cafe, stopping off at Bastion Point on the way.  As always the fish was superb at Fish Pot Cafe!

A trip on the harbour, a walk around the viaduct and a sunset stroll on a western beach ended what was a wonderful day with old friends.  I'll end this post with a few more shots.

Rangitoto Island View from Bastion Point

Ferry Building, Auckland City.

Weymouth Sunset

Weymouth Sunset ... with a tern.