remembering

Today was Anzac Day, and we did not get up very early, so no dawn parades here! At lunchtime we went for a wander around Queens Gardens and the Cathedral in Nelson to look at the wreaths laid at the war memorials.

World War I monument, Nelson Cathedral garden

Boer War monument, Queens Garden

The autumn colours were reflecting on the pond at Queens Gardens. The Gardens were started in 1887 in honour of Queen Victoria's 50th jubilee. The Boer War (1899-1902) Monument in Queen's Gardens was ordered from Italy, along with 45 others to go around New Zealand. We went to the memorial by the cathedral, which was erected after WWI, and couldn't remember where the WWII one was. Then on the drive home it dawned on me, it'll be the one at Anzac Park!

My favourite part of Queens Gardens is actually the newest - the Huangshi Chinese Gardens which were opened in 2007. The photos below were taken from the bridge that links the two part of the Gardens.We actually had our picnic lunch at the Japanese Miyazu Garden, so felt like we experienced a bit of Asia in Nelson today.

The ducks seem to realise that duck shooting season is about to start and that the safest place to be is here. I have great memories as a child coming here to feed the ducks. Now there is a sign saying it's not good for the ducks to be feed as they become dependent on handouts!

It's a bit strange having a day off in the middle of the week, so back to it tomorrow.