vilakins | Hamilton Gardens and Vilagrad Wines

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Hamilton Gardens and Vilagrad Wines

Yesterday we went to Hamilton for the day. We met my friend Tanya for lunch at a riverside pub, then walked along the river to the Hamilton Gardens. These are absolutely beautiful and they have six international gardens there, including the new Indian one which opened last year. We visited all of them and next time I'll plan to spend more time there. All my photos are in an LJ gallery, but here are some favourites which aren't like the ones on the official website.

Hamilton Gardens

italian
The Italian Renaissance Garden

chinese1
Courtyard in the Chinese Scholars' Garden

chinese2
Pool and bridge in the Chinese Scholars' Garden (with Greg on the bridge)

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The Japanese Garden of Contemplation

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The pool in the Japanese garden

Vilagrad Wines

Then we went to Vilagrad Wines for dinner and a show. We got there about an hour early so we wandered around in the sun, sampled some wine, bought four bottles of it for our holiday up north later this month, and relaxed inside with more wine. I was very impressed. The grounds are beautiful, the wine excellent (it was deservedly won awards), and the food delicious. Inside, you eat under a translucent roof and vines, all intertwined with fairy lights. :-)

outside
Me having a chardonnay-traminer outside. Hee--I so want a Vilagrad director's chair! I look a bit weird and squinty because I was blinded by the sun.

inside
Inside, under the vines, waiting for the other punters to show up. Greg took this one while I wasn't noticing. :-P

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Ooh. I want a garden. And wine.

My garden (http://www.farsight.net.nz/images/romancorner.JPG) isn't as spectacular, but it does me. Wine should be easy to manage though. [lifts a glass] Cheers!

You've lost weight haven't you? The gardens are beautiful, the Kew of the southern hemisphere.

Some, yeah.

The gardens are gorgeous. I only saw those bits; there's a lot more: lakeside walks, woodlands etc. I'll have to spend mor time there next time.

Um, why have you got red eyes?

The weight loss looks good on you, not that you were fat when I saw you in real time but you look even better now. After 12 weeks of sitting around and comfort eating I've put back on all the weight I managed to lose in 2003 and a couple of ponds more unfortunately. Still now I'm back at work I should be able to stop the comfort eating but I can't do anything about the lack of exercise.

The red eyes are supposed to go with the slogan on the icon but you can barely see half of it and can't see the other half. It should read Totally Mad.

I know the feeling. I put on 2kg just from taking it easy at home for two months instead of walking several blocks to work each day. :-P Damn, but it's hard. Constant vigilance is the only way, but I do let myself go on occasions like Vilagrad and just enjoy myself.

You've lost weight haven't you?

I was just thinking that! I think I'll keep the pic of you raising your glass.

Blimey. Thanks!

I keep a special file for pics of friends (and their cats).

Awww. :-)

You were previously in there feeding tiger cubs. Well, you're still in there feeding tiger cubs, but now you're raising a glass as well.

Cheers!

Excellent pics there.

Thanks! Most of the gardens look out over the river too, which is lovely.

Wow, those gardens blow my mind - and I find the concept of a "Vilagrad" director's chair hysterical - heck, "Vilagrad" sounds funny to me. :)

And your garden is just lovely.

Did you look at the other garden pics in my gallery?

Vilagrad's Croatian for 'home town'. :-)

Thanks! That's my Marcus Didius Falco and Bast statues. I love those orange flowers, whatever they are (yeah, I'm not exactly a keen gardener; I just prune it back now and then. I have more pics of where I live here (http://www.farsight.net.nz/mypics.htm). This was my only online gallery before LJ provided theirs.

My, you have a beautiful home! Thank you!

It's a bit old and needs modernising, but we like it because of the trees and the peace.

Nice house and garden.

And Trains.

Thanks! When we go up north for our holiday this month, we'll get a trip on the Kawakawa steam train which goes down the main street and through the countryside to Opua. :-)

Nice pictures - it looks like you had a great time. Now, what made you go to a place called Vilagrad, hmm... ;-)

I wonder. ;-)

We first heard about it in a brochure for a steam train trip (Greg's nuts about steam trains) and I've been planning to go for a while. I was cruising their web site and saw that Tim Shadbolt and Gary McCormick were there and Greg said he wanted to see them, so there ya go!

We're going to the harvest festival next month: 100 years since they planted the grapes. Kantuta are playing and they're having traditional; grape stomping (um...) and exotic Brazilian dancers. So very Vila. :-)

The harvest festival sounds fun - I hope you both have a great time when you go. :-)

Lovely photos, and you look great! The winery sounds like it was named for a certain someone. I'm sure he'd be proud, anyway!

He would absolutely love it, and be a great host. I saw a statue in the garden which I could imagine him choosing (woman's figure inlaid with paua) and the harvest festival next month features Brazilian dancers. :-)

Hee, Vilagrad! Vila would certainly enjoy that place.

The gardens with different styles remind me of Portmeirion, *sigh*...

And you're looking absolutely wonderful! Yay! I'd smile like mad if I got to sit in a chair with Vila's name on:D...

Yes! As soon as I saw the Italian garden, I thought of Partmeirion, and the Chinese bridge reminded me of the little red one we found in the park there. :-) We're going back to Hamilton next month for the Vilagrad harvest festival, so I think I'll go to the gardens again; there's a lot I haven't seen. Did you look at the gallery pics?

I might fit in a river trip on the Waipa Delta too, haha.

Yes, I did look at them:).

Those gardens are beautiful, the Chinese and the Japanese, in particular. They look wonderfully peaceful. Thanks for the lovely photos!

*smiles and waves at the photos of you* Hello! They really should have those chairs available for sale.

They really should have those chairs available for sale.

I'd second that. Fancy depriving you of the opportunity :)

Well, I didn't ask! I might next time. :-)

They look wonderfully peaceful.

They were! I wanted to spend more time in both those gardens, just sitting and enjoying the peace and beauty. The Japanese one had a beautiful traditional wooden shelter with benches facing both the Zen and the water garden.

They really should have those chairs available for sale.

Maybe I'll ask if I can buy an older pair at the harvest festival next month. They might like the advertising; OTOH they might not like something with their name on it being used elsewhere. It's worth a try. :-)

Isn't Vilagrad the capital of Vilaworld?

You always go on such lovely outings. I'm envious - we're still under snow.

We've got two weeks in the Bay of Islands soon. :-)

But it works both ways: I'd much rather have snow than the grey and wet winters we have: all rain and not even a midwinter holiday to cheer us up. I used to live in Germany and I loved the climate there.

And yes, I think Kerril named the main settlement that, since the planet got called 'Homeworld'. :-D

Pretty!

Also, you have cute hair. :)

It's one of the things I have some control over.

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Hamilton Gardens and Vilagrad Wines

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