Favourite places: The Manawatu River

Most weeks I manage to take the dogs for a walk along the river. The Manawatu river would never count as one of the most beautiful rivers in New Zealand. It's sluggish, slow, with none of the remarkable colour or grandeur of, say, the Waikato River. But it's a good place to walk, and every season and time of day brings its own particular delights.

The dogs find much to explore, especially along the stony shoreline. And there is nothing quite as joyful as a dog off his or her leash!

                                        Finn and Harris with their new friend, Hunter.