JUST as members of Morchard Bishop Gardening Club were beginning to feel the first stirrings of spring, Lynda Wright took them on a journey of springtime adventures in New Zealand.

She hired a campervan and, with her friend Tina, set off to explore the wonderfully varied and dramatic landscape of the islands: glaciers, mountains, volcanoes and long sandy beaches.

The weather was not always kind to them. They encountered blustery winds and at one point Lynda showed a still photograph of herself clinging onto a post to stay upright.

She could almost have been in a wind tunnel! Fortunately they managed to avoid the Kaikoura earthquake.

Lynda’s film showed awe-inspiring scenery and there was much “wowing” from the audience.

Outstanding in this spectacular country was the forest of ancient Kauri trees sacred to the Maoris. This tree is indigenous to the North Island and is apparently indestructible. Some are preserved in swamps.

Described as “my paradise”, Lynda showed Takou Bay with its miles and miles of sandy beach with rocks and islands offshore.

Later on in the video, she showed geysers bursting up out of gorges and mountains with warterfalls glimpsed through the mist.

Lastly there were some destinations with expressive names: Mirror Lakes with the Earl mountains reflected in the water and Doubtful Sound an imposing fjord.

Lynda’s video was an impressive record of her escapade and it was much appreciated by the members of the Gardening Club and other friends who went along as guests for the evening.

Karin Moffett