At the conclusion of my last class at Quilt Symposium Manawatu, my father whisked me away to Tongaporutu in the Taranaki region. The drive was 3 1/2+ hours and I was keen for us to arrive before sundown. We just made it.Tongaporutu is a small settlement at the mouth a river by the same name located to the north of New Plymouth and Mount Egmont (pictured below).
The hamlet is bisected by State Highway 3 and the Tongaporutu bridge. To the east of the bridge are 24 or so freehold properties, an old-fashioned village hill and some tennis courts. To the west of the bridge, heading towards the ocean, is a series of 26 iconic, brightly coloured baches (holiday cabins) held under contentious council leases.
In this direction are also the famous white cliffs; beaches of black iron sands and the “Three Sisters” (although one sister eroded away a few years ago) rock formation.
Chris Gin – Creative Commons Licence
The Maori have a concept of turangawaewae – a place to stand. Although Tongaporutu is my father’s second home, it has a become a place where he feels especially connected and contented. I have only visited one time before and was keen to return and see it through his eyes. This message greeted me at the breakfast counter:This was the view from the deck. The river is tidal and presents a constantly changing vista:
Henry the heron and the oyster catchers (Owen and Olive) are regular visitors:
There is no internet, and you have to hike up the hill to get cell phone reception, but the house has all the accoutrements of a well-equipped holiday retreat: National Geographic magazines; jigsaws; pre-loved paperbacks; binoculars and other assorted nick nacks:
The weather was so glorious, I went for a walk. Here is a selection of shots before my camera battery expired:
When the tide came in, the river turned opalescent turquoise:
I kayaked up the river a mile or so, transported to another world. I also had a wonderful swim.
As the tide receded, three brothers came to play, their laughter ringing loud and clear through the valley:
It was a wonderful tonic to rest in this special place before travelling north to Auckland for more teaching, exhibiting and family time.
Take me to the river, drop me in the water
Take me to the river, dip me in the water
Washing me down, washing me down
jo johnson says
Great place. loved the river photos and can see one of your quilts from the one of the water the children are playing in! There is a fabulous spot on the McDonald river(head of the namoi) in NSW (full of platypus too). One of my favourite “homes” Jo