Here are some of Roland's photos from the
early days, illustrating bare farmland, a few friends to help, and head
full of vision for beech woodland, bluebells and a place for dogs to
romp around, and a strong and generous heart to make it all happen...
Sadly,
few of the photos have names or dates - I'll add what there is / that I
can decipher from the blurred fountain pen writing on the back. If you
have any information, or indeed other photos, you'd like to add, just
let me know.
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| A lovely copper beech. Note the
pipe which reaches down to the bottom of the tree hole and this allows
an even deep watering - and with a solid mulching of 4 - 6 inches this
keeps the trees watered and cool over the 4 months of drought. |
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Roland on the right, 1987
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| Very early days - the hills beyond not yet planted in pines - Waitangi forest. |
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| This
is Tony Crate, March 1987 who helps me every week. His enthusiasm for
this project is a great encouragement. Having a person alongside the
beech tree gives an idea of the size. |
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| Two of the people helping me, August 1986 |
An
approximate view of lake site - the slopes behind we will plant ? next
year, God willing. The spring arises just below the old pump shed -
looking forward to ? this area still full of wild life. There has been
an old cattle water hole here in the past.
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This is the block we first planted, August 1986.
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| Looking
up the valley from the fence. The forest will come right around the
slope on the right. Inlet Road top of photo where the power lines are.
The first planting of beech up near that round macrocarpa top middle of
photo. |
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| General
view looking down the valley to the spring pump shed and future lake
site. This valley now starts over by the three gums. The stand of gums
which are in the neighbours shields us from most of the south and
southwest winds. |
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| A
closer view of the valley. The left hand slopes will be where the new
beeches will be planted. Since this was taken over 400 places have been
prepared on these slopes for this year's planting. |
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| A
nice place for rhododendrons and camellias one day. A small group of
about 100 redwoods will be in the background of the photo at the top of
the slope in the photo. This is the stream which is fed by the spring. |
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| Looking down on the gum forest from the top of the left hand slopes of the valley. |
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| Bluebell plantings 1991 |
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| This
looks out over Uncle and Aunt's farm - very nearby where I will build
some day - this is an early morning photo, 4th April, 1987 |
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| Cedus atlantica |
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| Dot Tucker |
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