[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
Helen427
Level 10
Auckland, New Zealand

The Farm of Old MacDonald - Red Cross Shop, Takapuna, Auckland , New ZealandThe Farm of Old MacDonald - Red Cross Shop, Takapuna, Auckland , New Zealand

 

Old MacDonald Had a Farm.... spotted on a recent visit to the North Shore Hospice Charity shop at Takapuna, North Shore, Auckland , New Zealand.

 

What an incredibly talented person they are to create and knit Farmer MacDonald in all his glory.

I innocently couldn't resist rearranging the display a little to ensure it brought more joy to those passing by in these challenging times we are living in

 

@Dale711 @Mike-And-Helen0 @Emilie42 @Emilie @Macdonald0 @Derekafarmer0 @Farmery0 @Owl-Farm0 @Farmhouse0 @Bay-Farm-LLC0 @Chick--And-Ann0 @Hen4 @Dogan6 @CoWano0 @Goathote0 @Horse2 @HorseTail0 @Cjmhorse-Gmail-Com0 @Horseshoe-Bay-Living0 @Pig-Shed0 @Lambs0 

Helen427
Level 10
Auckland, New Zealand

Rangitoto Island from Takapuna Beach, Auckland New ZealandRangitoto Island from Takapuna Beach, Auckland New Zealand

 

On your marks..now I think I'll fly to Paris to see Dale and Dan!On your marks..now I think I'll fly to Paris to see Dale and Dan!

 

Ah a little streching firstAh a little streching first

 

Yoga before flying helps relax mYoga before flying helps relax m

 

A look to the right to see the flight path is clearA look to the right to see the flight path is clear

 

 

Good morning to all Community Centre folks and especially to those stuck indoors perhaps struggling with one's mental and physical well being during these challenging times.

May you take comfort with Nurturing with Nature, and add your own photos to this topic.

 

@Dale711We stopped and reflected on your travels to Takapuna Beach here in Auckland New Zealand, and despite us not yet having met in person, know you miss your time at the beach...

 

Love to you all

 

@Mary996 @Mike-And-Helen0 @Stephanie @Anna @Ian-And-Anne-Marie0 @Helen350 @Victoria3 @Rebeccah1 @Amanda6 @Abraham7 @BandY2 @Cody9 @Candice14 @Debra300 @Emilie @Emilie9 @Emilie8 @Emilie42 @Alex-and-Maria---Preffered--0 @Fred13 @Fredrick5 @Frida1 @Georgia14 @Greg @Heidi4 @Henry9 @Henry7 @Indigo7 @Irene2 @Jodie8 @Jack3 @Karen2 @Kan1 @Leo5 @Love4 @Mandy7 @Mark11 @Nana2 @Nando5 @Omar0 @Olivia7 @Papaya0 @Pook1 @Quincy @Queen9 @Riet5 @Reggie6 @Susan2 @Susan17 @Terri9 @Terry3 @Uni3 @Ulna0 @United-Residence0 @Victor3 @Windy1 @Walt8 @Exaltacion0 @Yuki3 @Jessica-and-Henry0 @Huma0 

@Zubin1 @Zoonia0 

A lttle more breathing in the sea air..A lttle more breathing in the sea air..

 

Mary996
Level 10
Swansea, United Kingdom

Wonderful pictures @Helen427 . Thank you so much. I feel I have had a complete Johnathan Livingstone Seagull experience now. Yay!!! xxxxxxxx

@Helen427 @Mary996 

It is my wish and a goal, I has wanted or achieved after a long time, Auckland,New Zealand.😍

Nevertheless, I need to add a new destination to Swansea, UK. 😍 

Mary996
Level 10
Swansea, United Kingdom

Yay! @Dale711 

I insist that you come over as my guest. I shall torture you with my terrible french!! xx

Helen427
Level 10
Auckland, New Zealand

@Helen427 

Bonjour, de Paris, 

                                   ‘You have a beautiful art of not only capturing smiles but souls!’💕

 

Thank you for sharing the wonderful photos. 

Helen427
Level 10
Auckland, New Zealand

OOPS about the photos around the wrong way perhaps @Stephanie you can be so kind to flip them around Please??

Thanks

Helen427
Level 10
Auckland, New Zealand

Rolling waves at Takapuna Beach with Rangitoto IslandRolling waves at Takapuna Beach with Rangitoto IslandSealife swept ashore in the incoming high tide wavesSealife swept ashore in the incoming high tide wavesSea Shells and leaves on the Sandy SeashoreSea Shells and leaves on the Sandy SeashoreSeaweed swept ahoreSeaweed swept ahoreMarine Green SeaweedMarine Green SeaweedSeagull feather and Sealife swept ashoreSeagull feather and Sealife swept ashoreViews to Rangitoto IslandViews to Rangitoto IslandWP_20210408_17_00_16_Pro_LI (2).jpg

 

Enjoy a visit to the sea side at Takapuna Beach with Rangitoto Island in the background.

Tourists used to frequent the baches/ beach houses at Rangitoto Island and once there was Deer living there.

Tramping Groups also used to travel there for day trips in the early 1900's.

Some of my Guests have spent the day at Rangitoto to explore a nearby island in the Gulf.

I personally despite living in Auckland have yet to visit it...one day maybe.

I did enjoy my swim, or should that be floating in the waves the same day I took these images.

The water is still quite warm for swimming.

 

@Mary996 @Dale711 @Helen350 @Nick @Anna @Stephanie @Paul65 @Fred13 @Jessica-and-Henry0 @Sandy4 @Emiel1 @Emilia42 @Debra300 @Inna22 

@Mark116 @Mike-And-Helen0 @Lizzie @Quincy @Brian @Catherine-Powell @Laura_C @Laura_R 

@Ria16 @Alon1 @Miloud0 @Maud-Et-Miloud0 @Mada3 @Melodie-And-John0 @Marit-Anne0 

@Alexandra316 @Nathalie-Gilles0 @Franck392 @Yasmin2 @M199 @Pat271 @Till-and-Jutta0 @Sheila546 @Wilson28 @Essaouira-Beachlife-Moro0 @Michelle1709 @Drew-and-Tarah0 @Maryann208 @John5097 @Nancy817 @Stan-And-Juris0 @Louise0 @Bronwyn38

@Hugo550 @Liv-and-Victoria1297

Mary996
Level 10
Swansea, United Kingdom

Love it @Helen427 . Thank you so much.

Was the island overgrazed by the deer?

Helen427
Level 10
Auckland, New Zealand

@Mary996

 

Thanks for your question.

 

I understand a Professor Arnold Wall, a Botanist of some kind, son of George Arnold & related to Jane Seymour from House of Seymour, decided that they shouldn't have Deer on the Island, nor other exotic species.

 

Sadly the wider ranging Domains Act, previously Reserves Acts in the earlier part of Legislation in 1800's, appears not to have been factored into account over the years, hence we to this day in New Zealand have millions of Taxpayer dollars spent without thought to rid the country of Rats, Opossums, Stoats.

 

This is despite the fact we have few rats lurking about,  an ecological system and people now disposing their endless rubbish humans create in a different manner - Rubbish used to be either eaten by rats who were eaten by cats or burnt not end up on the land leaching and destroying nature.

Ah consequences!

 

Interestingly the article mentions Castor Trees, we have a suburb named Castor Bay in Auckland where Castor Trees once grew and provide humans with Castor Oil to keep healthy.

 

 

Harmful Exotics - Rangitoto Island. Misguided Energy

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19321129.2.45?

 

Rangitoto Visited - Inspection by Board Island in Good Condition

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19350617.2.110

 

This article is about the nearby

Motutapu Island from 1894

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18940201.2.33

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mary996
Level 10
Swansea, United Kingdom

exploring the island on horseback sounds very sensible xx

Dale711
Level 10
Paris, France

Hi @Mary996 @Helen427,

I would love to join And explore the island.🤗

Mary996
Level 10
Swansea, United Kingdom

Yay...the intrepids xx

Helen427
Level 10
Auckland, New Zealand

@Dale711 @Mary996 and others, I would happily welcome yourselves and those coming over to Auckland, or to Auckland from other locations around New Zealand, and explore Rangitoto Island.

 

Welcome back to New Zealand and our borders been open to those of you living in Australia as of 19 April 2021.

 

Hope to see your reservations pop through in my listing and only too happy to share stories and have you stay.

 

Central To All Home & Location, Remuera, Auckland, New Zealand