Recently I was contacted by Christine to let me know that she has added an art gallery to her special little cafe in Murupara and inviting me to display some work.  After our first visit I had been really impressed with what she is doing and wrote about it in this blog post. Since that visit a huge amount of work has been done  with the whole old workshop building having been repainted, some recycled doors from the defunct Oderings Garden Centre in Rotorua installed and the wood lined gallery space taking shape (probably the only gallery to have a vehicle inspection pit under boards in the floor!). In addition the old bus station toilet/waiting room is being refurbished into accommodation and a small building, that was the Kaingaroa village pool kiosk, arriving and being wired in to provide a one bed cabin for passing travellers in need of shelter. All the while recycled fridge carcasses host a flourishing garden of vegetables and herbs.

I had printed up a canvas and some cards of one of my Blue Duck images as the Whirinaki is a great spot to search for these lovely but rare birds. Hopefully visitors on their trail may want a souvenir image. Interestingly Edin and I headed up to the river for a fish after stopping at Murupara and while no trout were seen we saw a lovely little family of four Blue Ducks which seemed quite appropriate. It was definitely a day for birds with Falcon, Whitehead and Shining Cuckoo also seen in the podocarp forest.

The Cafe is definitely worth a stop on the road for a coffee and light meal, the Gallery now adds another reason to stop and enjoy the hospitality.