A Festival of Roses

What better way to celebrate my return to spring-–and Halloween--than to stop and smell some freshly blooming roses? I went to the Rose Festival in Parnell this past weekend. A mere twenty minute stroll east of the Auckland city center, Parnell is a posh suburb full of lovely homes, boutique shops, friendly faces, and obviously, a rose garden. The festival went on all weekend, and there was a free bus named Doris--need I say how I thrilled I am that New Zealand shares my love for naming inanimate objects?!--that took you from the Parnell Farmer’s Market to Parnell Road to the Rose Garden every half hour. Parnell Road was bustling with Kiwi’s out and about, enjoying the shop sales and free snacks.

After perusing the Farmer’s Market, where I got a beautiful red pepper, and meandering down Parnell Road, I hopped on Doris and ventured up to the main attraction.

Situated atop a hill that provides stunning views of Auckland and the sea, the rose garden was beautifully maintained, with a lovely maze of freshly cut lush grass leading me thru the modest-sized selection of roses. In general, the roses tended to be much rounder than varieties I am accustom to seeing, but they were beautiful nonetheless…although it has nothing on Portland’s Rose Garden!

There was also tent after tent of tasty treat, the most impressive of which was a pizza stand that had a portable wood-burning oven with it!

A brass band played upbeat music next to a dance floor where loads of adorable children moved to their own beat. The other main festival event was an outdoor screening of La Vie en Rose Saturday evening…movies and roses and sitting outside? I love it!!