[Festival] Using Nature to Nurture and de-stress your mind

Helen427
Level 10
Auckland, New Zealand

[Festival] Using Nature to Nurture and de-stress your mind

Hosting is like these lambs, a blending of cultures and colours without barriers. Gotland sheep are from Sweden and there felt is used for slippers and shoes.Hosting is like these lambs, a blending of cultures and colours without barriers. Gotland sheep are from Sweden and there felt is used for slippers and shoes.Hello from Helen in New Zealand!

 

I love hosting because it’s great for our mental and physical well being, to share and enjoy nature and heritage.

 

Some of my loveliest guests have said they like the details in my listing and that their families helped them decide who to stay with which I think is sweet.

 

They’ve contributed in their own ways as to how I've evolved in my hosting, as have the fabulous members here in Community Centre. 

 

Spending time amongst nature is one way of maintaining one’s health. I’ve a wee garden with Monarch Butterflies along with been Centrally located to a variety of gardens and areas where rural life is still present.

 

Occasionally my guests get to meet and spend time walking my friend’s dog, Zara the Jack Russell who has had a head rub from Prince Harry! 

 

Zara the Jack Russell Taking time out to tiptoe through the Tulips!  “Shhh, don’t tell Park staff, honest I was only smelling the flowers for my mental wellbeing!”Zara the Jack Russell Taking time out to tiptoe through the Tulips! “Shhh, don’t tell Park staff, honest I was only smelling the flowers for my mental wellbeing!”

I give guests cuttings from my garden & Tulip bulbs that were gifted to the people from Cornwall Park, One Tree Hill, Auckland, New Zealand when there garden staff remove them to replant the garden beds so we can all share the love and beauty of nature to unify as one people in the world.

Tulip and Anemone flowers with the Simmental Cows originally from Switzerland grazing with National Women’s and Greenlane Hospitals in the background at Cornwall Park, One Tree Hill, Auckland.Tulip and Anemone flowers with the Simmental Cows originally from Switzerland grazing with National Women’s and Greenlane Hospitals in the background at Cornwall Park, One Tree Hill, Auckland.

Cornwall Park, One Tree Hill Domain Flower GardenCornwall Park, One Tree Hill Domain Flower Garden

Central To All Home & Location is like a Monarch butterfly… metamorphosing.Central To All Home & Location is like a Monarch butterfly… metamorphosing.

 I gift some of my Swan Plants to share the love with our delightful "Monet the Monarch" caterpillars & butterflies.

Swan Plant flowers and Monarch butterflySwan Plant flowers and Monarch butterfly

Screenshot 2019-08-27 at 14.19.22.png

Monarch butterfly resting it’s body between the Geranium leaves, that I grew from a cutting, immediately after it came out of its chrysalis - Guests like a safe & comfortable resting place too.

Milk Station Chrysalis and Monarch caterpillar with Milk Plant Seed PodMilk Station Chrysalis and Monarch caterpillar with Milk Plant Seed Pod

Monarch butterflies enjoy living in my Swan Plant, Geraniums, Lilies, Sweet Peas and Lavender plants. The Sweet Peas were grown from seeds, their pods produce seeds Hosts can share.

gusano 7.jpgIt can take between a couple of minutes to ten minutes for a caterpillar to form into a Chrysalis. Note the butterfly formation and silk spun to balance itself and protect itself from spiders and other insects.It can take between a couple of minutes to ten minutes for a caterpillar to form into a Chrysalis. Note the butterfly formation and silk spun to balance itself and protect itself from spiders and other insects.

Chrysalis go into a darkened state a couple of days before they transform into a Butterfly.Chrysalis go into a darkened state a couple of days before they transform into a Butterfly.

Male Monarchs have two black markings on their wings / Female butterflies which don’t can lay up to 1000 eggs.Male Monarchs have two black markings on their wings / Female butterflies which don’t can lay up to 1000 eggs.

Honey Bee and Female Monarch butterfly close encounter on Lavender flower in the gardenHoney Bee and Female Monarch butterfly close encounter on Lavender flower in the garden

Bumble Bee on my Mexican DaisyBumble Bee on my Mexican Daisy

Central To All Home & Location is close to Cornwall Park / One Tree Hill Domain, Auckland where Irish settlor, Thomas Henry, created one of the original farms which is to remain in perpetuity as a Domain for the betterment of all New Zealand people.

It’s a friendly place where one can mix with nature, see lambs & sheep, pat the calves, cows & bulls, enjoy flowers from all nations, play archery, cricket, rugby league and relax away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

This lamb was just born and taking its first steps. Isn’t nature amazingly beautiful?This lamb was just born and taking its first steps. Isn’t nature amazingly beautiful?

Lamb rounding up the Ducks and Ducklings to safety in the other paddockLamb rounding up the Ducks and Ducklings to safety in the other paddock

Baby calf meets it’s dad the bull whilst it’s mother the cow restsBaby calf meets it’s dad the bull whilst it’s mother the cow rests

Screenshot 2019-08-27 at 14.38.25.png

Guest Corrin, NYC, USA, who had not seen lambs since she was a child, making new friends on our visit to the Park. We nicknamed these bottle fed lambs Louis, Henry, William, George and Arthur. They are all Rams growing up and still recognise Zara and myself.

 

It’s fun to incorporate Guests in day to day life in one’s location.

Our Guests mental health and well-being is important to, animals and nature can help one relax and ease homesickness.

 

Do you take your Guests to places they may not have experienced before?

Kowhai Tree, New Zealand Native Tree, Cornwall Park where you may see Tui birds,Kowhai Tree, New Zealand Native Tree, Cornwall Park where you may see Tui birds,

Screenshot 2019-08-27 at 14.41.05.png

When Guests wake up in a different place they can be like a newborn animal waking up to new surroundings.

 

“Maaa, that was a great sleep, Baa, nice to meet you!”

 

This twin lamb a couple of days old woke up with a yawn whilst its companion kept one eye open on watch.

New Zealand is known for woollen products like carpet and clothing. We used to have more sheep than people.

 

 

Hosting guests who have chosen to stay with me in my home & share an interest in history and stories is a passion I enjoy. 

Forget-me-Not flowers and Periwinkle planted on Mount Hobson Domain are some of the self  regenerating Botanicals gifted to New Zealand people by David Hay and Son, Montepellier Nursery in the 1880’s so future generations would not have to worry about financial expenses in the years ahead.

Flowers of all nations were planted in areas for our betterment, so we would all feel Welcome and at home wherever we are in the world and originated from.

 

Do you have an area in your location like that to share with your Guests?

 

If not, help create one, 2019 is 100 years since the start of the Peace Commemorations after World War 1 ended.

Forget-Me-Nots with Honey Bee and CinerariasForget-Me-Nots with Honey Bee and Cinerarias

Screenshot 2019-08-27 at 14.47.00.png

Periwinkle, one of Her Majesty The Queen’s favourite flowers on a tree that fell over during a storm in the 1930’s, The Depression era, left to decompose naturally where centipedes, millipedes, lichen and other species make their home.

The remains of a Living Fence, a Hedgerow Rose, on the boundary of Mount Hobson, Dilworth Avenue entrance.The remains of a Living Fence, a Hedgerow Rose, on the boundary of Mount Hobson, Dilworth Avenue entrance.

Mount Hobson is named after New Zealand’s first Governor Captain William Hobson. His Grave is in the Symonds Street Cemetery where they are undertaking a restoration project.

 

Dilworth Avenue is named after James Dilworth, who once owned Mt Hobson and gifted land for a school for disadvantaged boys. He is buried in the nearby St Marks Anglican Church grounds where one can reflect on how those early settlers before us lived in much more challenging times.

Botanicals in Exhibition Hall Gardens, Auckland DomainBotanicals in Exhibition Hall Gardens, Auckland Domain

I’m very thankful we have access to fabulous newspaper & photographic archive websites dating back to the early 1800’s where sage one’s before us recorded valuable information.

 

Whilst I’m a host in a more recently built home such archives have helped improve my knowledge as a Host to share with those interested in family, world history, 23andMe and Heritage.

 

Have you considered researching your own home and location for it’s history in similar archives to include in your listing and to share with Guests?

 

Thanks

204 Replies 204

That's so gorgeous @Stephanie 😉

 

Love Daffodils, do you have Daffodil day collection for The Cancer Society in the UK ?
Or for those who are based in other countries of the world do you have a Collection for Cancer and promoted with Daffodils?

 

 

 

 

@Dale711 @Nick @Liv @Katie and everyone-else?

Stephanie
Community Manager
Community Manager
London, United Kingdom

We do indeed! I have a daff and a poppy always on my coat @Helen427 

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Please follow the Community Guidelines 

Salut @Helen427, @Helen350 @Stephanie@Nick@Katie, @Anna 

 

Love Daffodils🤗

 

Jonquille est en français un nom vernaculaire qui désigne plusieurs plantes, généralement du genre Narcissus.Jonquilles in Paris streetJonquilles in Paris street

 

Helen350
Level 10
Whitehaven, United Kingdom

Hi @Helen427 , Yes I have bumble bees , & other bees in my garden all summer long!

We've had a colder winter than usual, so not much sign of Spring here, except for snowdrops, which are in my garden and in the hedgerow in front of the house and along the lane.

 

Usually in Spring, the first flowers after the snowdrops are self propagating Pulmenaria/Lungworts, which the bees LOVE! Often up by now, but ground was frozen till a few days ago. Air temp 8 deg at present.

 

- Tomorrow is forecast to be the first weekend of Spring! - 10 degrees! (But 53mph winds + rain showers, so gardening/sitting outside will have to wait!)

Helen427
Level 10
Auckland, New Zealand

How's the garden sitting outside now it's summer in the UK @Helen350 ?

Nice and crisp here in Auckland this evening, clear skies and moon shining above.

Nothing beats a fresh start to the day, knowing the sun will be shining later, does it?

Helen427
Level 10
Auckland, New Zealand

@Lizzie @Miloud0 @Stephanie @Mike-And-Helen0 @Susan17 @Cathie19 and @everyone-else

 

Thank you @Lizzie Yes there are more photographs and detailed information in my listing, including photographs not featured in my contribution to this current ABB Community Festival of Hosting.

 

Take a peek here

https://www.airbnb.co.nz/rooms/23257352?preview_for_ml=true&source_impression_id=p3_1566771494_Fedil...

 

I love meandering over to Cornwall Park, up to Mount Hobson, Auckland Domain and Parnell Rose Gardens to de stress and show my Guests who appreciate having time out with nature.

 

There's always something new to see and enjoy or explore.

 

The Garden beds are changed every know and then, the animals always spring a surprise with their antics and one never knows what surprises and joy they will bring!

 

Did you grow up in the city or country @Lizzie  and other ABB & Community Centre users?

 

I'd love to hear your stories how you Nurture yourselves with nature.

 

All the best

Central To All Home & Location

Auckland, New Zealand

 

 

Helen427
Level 10
Auckland, New Zealand

@Lizzie  and @everyone-else

 

Yes my guests have taken delight in taking to finding the monarch butterflies in my garden and the flowers.

Natasha from the UK who stayed with me for a couple of weeks and I were always out there looking at their progress and watching there cheeky characters.

 

They do remember who we are surprisingly.

 

Natasha cherished her time meeting a Praying Mantis for the first time, alas I'm not sure if it was mutual - must try locate a photo for you to enjoy!!

 

Cathie19
Level 10
Darwin, Australia

Just gorgeous @Helen427 . Thanks for this wonderful post.

 

What it reminds us is that no matter whether we are young or old, Green time is important. The more “screen time”, the more “green time” needed.

 

We breathe and interact better. It assists our well being and also our state of mind.

Therefore as hosts, whether we have a large property or a studio apartment, nature is needed to nurture. A few hardy plants on a balcony or next to a tv cabinet will always make us feel better than an artificial one.

So if we and our guests are nurtured in our surrounds, then we will have a better, overall experience.  Not to forget the improved air quality.....

Be creative, be green.... 

:)🌻💐🌴🌲🍃🌱🌱

Lizzie
Former Community Manager
Former Community Manager
London, United Kingdom

Totally agree @Cathie19. My desk has two happy plants on it, one I rescued  back to life, from a colleague of mine....it's growing quite big now. I find it is a handy place to keep your stationary! 🙂 

 

Robbie junior.jpg

 

It's funny how much I enjoy looking at my plants grow and knowing that they are healthy (you know pretty quickly when they're not happy! eep)

 

I also find they are very good talking points for discussions! 🙂 

 


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Helen427
Level 10
Auckland, New Zealand

How's your plants looking @Lizzie ?

Has it grown much since you took that photo?

Helen427
Level 10
Auckland, New Zealand

Thank you @Cathie19 

Always enjoy your contributions.

What's with the Marker Pens on the pot plant?

 

Shower water is always great to water the garden & plants with!

Helps the environment to

Susan17
Level 10
Dublin, Ireland

Lovely post, @Helen427., and fabulous pics. Gorgeous part of the world you live in. 🌼🌹🥀

Helen427
Level 10
Auckland, New Zealand

Thank you @Susan17 

 

We are very fortunate to have had sage one's before us to create such beautiful places for our betterment.

 

Have you visited New Zealand?


Thomas Henry,  a local from your part of the world, did a fabulous job of ensuring we had a rural environment as he originally owned what is now known as Cornwall Park and One Tree Hill and ensured part of it was kept as a Public Domain.= back in the earlier part of 1800's.

 

Maybe the Henry family descendants, along with others who traveled afar to start a new life,  should do a reenactment of his navigation around the world on a replica sailing vessel.

 

It would be quite timely with the flow on of Captain Cook's anniversary travels, as should those before him and his crew.

 

All the best

Apologies @Helen427, I'm only seeing your response now - I still don't receive notifications when I'm tagged (even when my number is attached 😉)

 

I haven't visited New Zealand (yet!), but it's definitely on my wishlist. I was actually all set to move there way back in 1994, and was thrilled to bits at the prospect. At the time, I was working as a croupier in a Knightsbridge, London casino at the time, and had been recruited by one of our best (and nicest!) customers to go and work in NZ, in a brand new casino he was instrumental in setting up in Christchurch, which as far as I can recall, was to be the first proper gaming club to open it's doors in your beautiful country. 

 

Fate intervened in my plans though, and I discovered a few weeks before my scheduled departure date that I was pregnant with my first son, so that happy little surprise (shock!) put a stop to my gallop, and took me on a very different - but even more thrilling - path than the one I'd been so carefully and meticulously planning 😉

 

I'll definitely make it there someday though! 

Stephanie
Community Manager
Community Manager
London, United Kingdom

@Susan17 @Helen427 It's amazing hearing what different and exciting lives we have lived (so far!) 

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