Marsden Cross

Malcolm's photo of a cicada...

...and a grass-hopper, seen as we walked to Marsden Cross

Interpretive panels on the way

 

View of the Bay of Islands from the track

Malcolm taking a photo...

...this one.  The info panel placed so no picture is required, you just look through the space.

 

More info at the site, cross on the right, middle distance

Me

 

 

Today we went to Marsden Cross/Rangihoua Bay.  This is on a peninsula on the western entrance to the Bay of Isalnds.  From the unsealed road there are views of Te Puna Inlet and the Bay to the right and the coastline up to the Cavelli Islands to the left.  From the car park there is a track that winds down to the beach.  By the road is a sort of origami pavilion with a 3D map of the site etc and along the track are pou-like information boards.  Down at the beach is the place where Samuel Marsden preached the first Christian service in NZ - 200 years ago.  A mission settlement was formed then under the protection of chiefs at the adjacent pa.  Pictorial information panels give details about the settlement, right on the spot they are describing.  It was a warm, sunny day with no-one else around.  Only the insects and birds.