Cafe in the Gardens

Esplanade Gardens Cafe, Palmerston North, New Zealand, by Val Mills

By Val

@valmnz (17099)

New Zealand

June 11, 2016 11:36pm CST

Earlier in the week I wrote of the tree I came across in our local gardens, suggesting it was a tree for the imagination. Here is another photo from that same outing, of the cafe in the gardens. The cafe is the old Post Office, from the early days of settlement here. Once in the centre of town, it was moved here many years ago, and now provides top class cafe hospitality. The day my friend and I visited last week was a sunny, but not too warm winter's day, so we were pleased to be able to enjoy the wood burner fire that warmed the cafe. After our coffee and cake, my friend and I walked in the gardens, enjoying the winter sun. It was good to be able to enjoy the moment, without feeling too rushed. We're very lucky these gardens were established in the early days of our city's development and have been maintained to bring us all pleasure over the years.

20 people like this

23 responses

@xFiacre (12640)

• Ireland

12 Jun 16

@valmnz sounds delightful, especially sitting in the warmth of a wood burner in winter.

5 people like this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

12 Jun 16

Only trouble is, it's a haunt of the elderly, I reckon my friend and I were the youngest there!

2 people like this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

12 Jun 16

@xFiacre oh you youngster you!

1 person likes this

@xFiacre (12640)

• Ireland

12 Jun 16

@valmnz That's how I feel when i go to the pool between 9 and 11 in the morning and pensioners swim for free! Most are over 80 and it's great to see that but there are just so many of them and no-one like me who is just 2 years away from 60.

3 people like this

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@JudyEv (326498)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jun 16

Some of the 'older' town planners were quite forward thinking. Kings Park in Perth is about 160 acres I think and a real oasis in the middle of the city. There is now even a boab tree there.

4 people like this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

12 Jun 16

I've heard a lot about Kings Park. And I loved visiting the Botanical Gardens in Hobart. Melbourne has good gardens in the city centre too

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

12 Jun 16

@JudyEv my sister and I spent quite a long time there too, starting in the cafe

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@JudyEv (326498)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jun 16

@valmnz That's true. I remember spending a good few hours in Hobart Botanical Gardens - and have some nice photos to prove it! :)

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@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

12 Jun 16

That looks like a really pleasant place to stop for a coffee and snack.

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@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

12 Jun 16

@valmnz I can well imagine that because for a couple with children it would be ideal.

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@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

12 Jun 16

@Asylum there's a kids playground, paddling pool and bird aviary just across the way.

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@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

12 Jun 16

It really is. And in the summer they do a roaring trade in ice-creams!

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@celticeagle (159710)

• Boise, Idaho

12 Jun 16

It sounds like a very nice and pleasant area..

2 people like this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

12 Jun 16

It is a special place in our city

1 person likes this

@celticeagle (159710)

• Boise, Idaho

12 Jun 16

@valmnz ....We have some of those here. Lots of parks, ponds, etc.

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@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

12 Jun 16

@celticeagle it makes life so much more enjoyable, doesn't it.

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@toniganzon (72279)

• Philippines

12 Jun 16

I remember that tree. I'd like to visit that cafe someday. I'm not really into coffee as I prefer green tea, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to enjoy the coziness of the place and its surroundings.

2 people like this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

12 Jun 16

I think most cafes here provide green tea these days

@toniganzon (72279)

• Philippines

12 Jun 16

@valmnz yeah they do too in here.

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

12 Jun 16

so I've discovered from your discussion I've just read

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Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (307773)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

12 Jun 16

I love the picture. It looks like a nice place to just relax from all the hustle and bustle of life.

3 people like this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

12 Jun 16

It's good to see so many people make use of it.

2 people like this

Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (307773)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

12 Jun 16

@valmnz It looks like a great place to relax, especially with all those trees around.

1 person likes this

@glenniah (1197)

• Mandurah, Australia

12 Jun 16

Cafe in the Gardens sounds wonderful espeically as you had a lovely warm day to enjoy it.

2 people like this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

12 Jun 16

I should have mentioned there's an outdoor space too, very popular in summer.

changjiangzhibin89

@changjiangzhibin89 (16548)

• China

12 Jun 16

It is a great place with a delightful ambience.Your friend and you certainly had a nice easy moment there.

2 people like this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

12 Jun 16

We enjoyed our outing

1 person likes this

@jstory07 (134761)

• Roseburg, Oregon

12 Jun 16

That really sounds like a very nice place to be.

2 people like this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

12 Jun 16

I like going there

@marlina (154165)

• Canada

12 Jun 16

It looks like a lovely place.

2 people like this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

12 Jun 16

It certainly is

@LadyDuck (459735)

• Switzerland

12 Jun 16

This is a lovely place where to enjoy a cafe taking all the time to look at the nature. I need more and more not to be rushed.

2 people like this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

12 Jun 16

It's nice to connect with a slower pace

1 person likes this

@jaboUK (64361)

• United Kingdom

12 Jun 16

That looks like a very pleasant place. Every city needs somewhere to act as it's 'lungs'.

2 people like this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

12 Jun 16

I agree

1 person likes this

@Jessicalynnt (50525)

• Centralia, Missouri

12 Jun 16

sounds like a lovely outing!

2 people like this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

12 Jun 16

It was a pleasant way of spending an hour or two

1 person likes this

crazyhorseladycx

@crazyhorseladycx (39515)

• United States

12 Jun 16

a blessin' indeed! i love hearin' 'f ol' buildin's/grounds bein' maintained fer all to enjoy. 'round here, they're typical demolish 'n more pavement added :( what a delight to be able to do a walk 'bout with yer friend'n such a purty settin'.

2 people like this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

12 Jun 16

We have a strong sense of heritage buildings here, most places try to preserve the past. Huge amounts of money are sometimes spent to restore buildings. I guess it's because the European part of our country is only 176 years old.

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crazyhorseladycx

@crazyhorseladycx (39515)

• United States

12 Jun 16

@valmnz i imagine they do such 'p north, where the "pilgrims" first came'n settled. the state'n which i live didn't e'en become such 'til 1912 i believe? not much'n the line'f buildin' materials handy, so those folks originally started out'n dirt huts 'til the railroads startin' bringin' lumber. that bein' said, there's some lovely buildin's 'round, particularly the ol' spanish churches 'p'n northern new mexico. lots'f ruins from various native american tribes's well. jest sadly not'n these parts.

1 person likes this

@shaggin (71676)

• United States

13 Jun 16

It looks like there are palm trees as well. Am I correct on that?

1 person likes this

@Namelesss (3368)

• United States

18 Jun 16

Hey Val. I could use some of that winter weather right now. Your garden visit sounded lovely. Just stepped in to say hi, hope you're doing well. Hugs!

1 person likes this

@paigea (35774)

• Canada

24 Jun 16

Hi there! I hope you are doing well also.

1 person likes this

@ilocosboy (45157)

• Philippines

12 Jun 16

that is really a good mood place for cafe especially when you need some inspiration

2 people like this

@thelme55 (76480)

• Germany

12 Jun 16

I love spending time drinking coffee in a cafeteria observing people and their behaviour. It's one way of giving me ideas what to write.

2 people like this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

12 Jun 16

I agree with you!

1 person likes this

@itsmejing (606)

•

12 Jun 16

wow what a great day ..

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• Manila, Philippines

7 Jan 17

location of this gardens?

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

8 Jan 17

In North Island New Zealand

• Manila, Philippines

8 Jan 17

@valmnz manawatu district?

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@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

8 Jan 17

@suhail1 what makes you think that?

Do you know New Zealand well? You don't say where you come from in your profile.

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