‘I never knew that.’  ‘I haven’t walked this area before.’ were two common comments from The WTC’s fortnightly Walking Group as they explored the Bason Botanic Gardens with the day’s leader Beverley Sinclair. After a brief introduction to Stanley and Blanche and the Gardens, they zig-zagged down Millennium Hill past the agapanthus collection and colourful Brugmansias, past the cork trees and South African plantings.  They headed for the Mowhanau Stream weir and up the hill. (There always needs to be at least one hill on these morning walks.) 

They gazed up at the ‘largest pinecone’ plantings, then along the Spring walk. A few late daffodils wafted in the breeze under the magnolias. Behind the Boothby Fernhouse, they learnt about Geocaching and were given hints as to where one ‘cache’ was hidden.   Admiring the views (and catching their breath) they talked about bringing grandkids to do the Red Kiwi Orienteering course.  They felt the braille dots on the orienteering post as they descended into the Native Walk and across the Anzac Bridge gazing at the Wetlands. No Westmere School children’s labels for the trees, which were installed several years ago, were to be found.  (Although the Plantsnap phone app was handy, a few more labels for leaders with failing memories would be helpful!)

They walked through the trees near the Flax Collection and up to the Rotary Lookout. Some admired the carvings while others had a go at Disc (Frisbee) Golf.  The bluebells were finished as they clambered through the long grass up the hill, through the Eucalyptus collection to the Native Arboretum and on to the Conifer collection. There was a short discussion about the definitions of firs, spruces and pines.  Completing the Ring Road they took a relaxing browse around the Homestead Garden. Gardener Nicole let us have a look in the tunnel house and showed us her ‘plant of the moment’, an orchid called Zygopetalum orchid (South America).

Morning tea in the Scoullar Room completed the walk although there was the offer of a quick run, down and up, the Millennium Hill Steps if anyone felt they hadn’t been challenged enough. It was a good morning’s walk, and the work of the gardeners was much appreciated.