TRIP LEADER:  Meg Errington

Trip Report: Robyn Owen

Ten members from NPS travelled to Fishermans Bay Garden on Sat- urday 3rd December. This stunning garden is situated on the south eastern slopes of Banks Peninsula, overlooking the rugged coastline with the blue hues of the Pacific Ocean and green hills, at this time of year providing an ever changing colour back ground to this beau- tiful spot. We were blessed with a hot blue sky day, and a gentle breeze blowing off the sea. The owners Jill and Richard Simpson have placed a covenant on the land that feeds down to Fishermans Bay protecting and restoring the native bush and environment for penguin, seals, shags and other sea birds. Rare fern species have been found in this area. Although we did not see any penguin, you could see their favoured routes for getting off the beach and into the bush and long grass behind. Shags were nesting in the trees either side of the small stony bay, and seals showed off there prowess in the water, nothing like sitting on the rocks quietly absorbing the sun and sea air, seals and NPS members alike!

The garden has wide sweeping blocks of native planting on the seaward side, and more protected perennial borders on the sheltered western aspect. The old shearing shed, sheep yards and corrugated tanks have been incor- porated into the garden along with many whimsical garden features like Herbina, the cow sculpture and a large walk-in metal basket with colourful cushions. Every corner along the paths produces another colour snap, obvi- ously carefully planned by these visionary gardeners. We were very lucky to see this garden and coastline on such a beautiful summer day. A definite must see!

Google Maps:Fisherman's Bay

Meet Meg at the 'cabstand' between 9 and 9.15 on Saturday morning and then proceed to Fisherman’s Bay Gardens. Or meet at the garden about 9.30 am. The owners are Jill and Richard Simpson. The cost is $10 per head and people can pay that when they get there.

The 'cabstand' is the cross roads of Summit Road, Long Bay Road and Brocherie Road. Once there you drive on Long Bay Road until a ‘Y’ junction. Long Bay Road continues down to the right and Fisherman’s Bay continues on (almost as if it was still Long Bay) and basically it ends up at Fisherman’s Bay Gardens about 15 minutes later. Park in the car park.

On the same day as we are there, there is also a historical group and they are paying $25 for their guided tour and will be going down to the beach in the morning. As we won’t be having a guided tour, Jill has asked that we NOT go to the beach in the morning, or at least until the other group has returned.

We are welcome to stay as long as we wish and take picnic lunches with us.

Meg

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