This morning we visited the Government Gardens. First we drove around the edge of Lake Rotorua and saw lots of birds – swans, ducks, geese and seagulls. We also saw the steaming water and found a path to walk along tonight. We walked through the park and saw the Whangapipiro – also known as the Rachel Pool, it was very hot and steaming.

The Museum was located in the gardens in a beautiful building, allegedly the most photographed building in Rotorua. The viewing platform was only opened in 2006 after a major refurbishment.  Mr James was delighted with the rotary mower for the lawns, it was beaut with a seat trailer to ride on at the back.

A gorgeous rose garden was next to the playground. It was a great playground and we all went down the slides and played hide and seek.  Jennifer mastered the flying fox type piece of apparatus and can now get across to the other side without any assistance.  It started to rain so we took cover in the playground which was rather like a cubbyhouse while Daddy went to fetch the car.

Alas, the walk around the Sulphur Bay will have to be rescheduled to another day due to the rain.