Bellview Wetlands and a memorial

About a month ago my GKB and I went for a trip through to the Fruitlands area to buy stone fruit from the orchards. We thought we'd arranged to meet our eldest daughter's partner for lunch at his place but he never arrived. Someone had their wires crossed, not sure who, but never mind. We had drinks and snacks in the car. 

We thought while we waited for him we'd carry on down the road towards Gabriel's Gully and have a look at the memorial to Gabriel Read, the first man to find gold in the region and who consequently started the Otago Gold Rush. Unfortunately Mr Read died penniless even as others made their fortunes. It's a very simple monument but befitting. A miners pick and shovel on a stone cairn with a brass plaque.

We were away for about quarter of an hour then headed  back to Steve's place and I took a few pictures of the wetlands. I was watched very closely by a neighbour as I went up the drive to the house to a higher vantage point. The house is up on a rise and overlooks the wetlands. They're  not open to the public yet so I didnt want to actually venture further on to the property, especially as I was being watched :)

Steve (daughter Jacqui's partner) has developed the wetlands over the past 20 years including  building the structures on it, (bridges, tracks, waterwheels, ponds etc). Every now and then he has school groups come in and they help with the planting out of natives plants and learn a little about conservation - plants, animal life and such. I think they all enjoy that. 

I know I enjoy walking around there but haven't been for a while and it's been developed further since I was there. I'm looking forward to having another look around sometime.

 Steve never did turn up so after half an hour or so we went on our merry way and left Bellview Wetlands for another day.

Bellview? Because you have a good view of the church bell from the property.

That's it from me for now. 

Enjoy your week and the upcoming weekend.

Diana