Week Three. Park Three

Those habits just falling apart everywhere, how long will this one last I wonder. We chose a favourite on a windy Sunday. Murawai Beach is a newish addition to the the Auckland Regional Park group and has a bit of everything. Blimey was that beach busy. I was switching between being caught up in their energy and feeling terribly tired and lazy. We walked the beach, people watched, talked and had lunch. Re-energised by the sea and the breeze. 

Is it one of the most places I write about the most? Just photos here, part of a long weekend, a place to walk, as part of a charity effort, when I said goodbye to night shifts with a sunset to sunrise drive, more sunset moments and as place for winter camping.

It was warmer than this looks

The surf guards paying their respects

Energy, motivation. Busy and brilliant.

New sunglasses

Day 4

Who leaves their sunglasses in a public toilet. Or maybe the question is who takes sunglasses that have been left in a public toilet.  

We got to Lake Moke and no sunglasses. After day two's walking in the bright sunshine knew I couldn't or wouldn't be silly enough to walk for 3 hours without them, so back to Queenstown. 

Not where I left them. Now I have a rule for never buying expensive sunglasses, because if I'm not losing them I'm breaking them. Quick shopping stop. 

Back to the walking.

We've been to Lake Moke a few times, but never none the walk around the lake. It was windy and cooler when we arrived (the second time) so we wrapped up and off we went. 

What a great walk. Undulating, with mountain views, a glorious snack stop and then proving my magical bag packing skills by putting our warm stuff into the backpack. 

One of those insanely happy days. 

Hats, glasses and ready to roll

The black and white version on the phone

The drive to the lake (in the far distance). Blown out sky. Damn this wonderful weather

The colour version on the Nikon with Adam for added value

An insanely happy day

Oh yes

The first half 

Snowballs in springtime

Day two saw us up in the snow line. Enough to through a snowball or two. The afternoon took us over to Wanaka and a familiar walk, and while I was excellently prepared for the wind, rain and cold temperatures that New Zealand can throw at you, we had blazing sun and clear skies. 

The man enjoying taking photos

Me enjoying standing in snow

When we realise hats add to our photogenicness

OK, when I said snow line, I was stretching it slightly, but we honestly did do the snowball thing

Wonder

The man waiting for me to catch up 

That will be the spot

Walk number two, and hello Diamond Lake

The blazing sun not helping with the photos, but I have seen what he took and they are amazing. Will the world ever see them - who knows.

At this point, I just kept walking and snapped as I walked

Happy man

Happy view 

Ad

Extra happy view. Lying in the shade of the man, I take it all in, oh and have a little nap.

Walk 39 - Akaroa

Possibly several walks but I think that's just a technicality at the moment. A few days away to a new place, tagged onto a work meeting in Christchurch. 

Akaroa has this most fantastic leaflet on walks around the town, we which kind of morphed into our own version. 

We walked every day from our little home along the beach road into the towns two main areas. We walked along the piers, along the shore, up the hill to the wondrous Giants Garden. 

These walks were about exploring a new place, taking a break from work and being away from Auckland. We rested and recharged but kept those legs moving, and ticked off another of the lighthouses (I can feel another series coming along). 

Walking into town

Walked up the hill to the Giants Garden

Walked along

And along

and along the piers.

to the lighthouse

Walk 38 - Rotorua

Ahh yes, still on that weekend away which was now 2 weekends ago, but that is how I roll. Little in the way of photographic proof but my new obsession (really, I need to review a few things here) can help, if it is evidence you are after.

We started off by strolling the lush grounds of the museum and the steaming pools just dotted around. Then heading to the lake side we followed the pathway round sulphur bay and onwards. This brings you to the city lakefront, with the play park, coffee, market and boats. All you need really. 

Yes, I am a fitbit fan. It has produced some interesting insights into my lifestyle. Not that I didn't know I wasn't active enough but as a visual learner seeing a graph makes it more meaningful 

Enough of that chatter, time for the goodness of a weekend away, the lovely lake

A happy man feeding the birds at the end of the walk. 

Walk 37 - Redwoods

A weekend away. A walk. Sunday morning we headed to Redwoods. Oh my. Many memories of the New Forest. Trees, sunlight, walking. Got out of breath, considerably. A good uphill walk for me. Good pace and a wonderful coffee at the end. Why do I always manage to find coffee. Various walks to choose from and we did't even pick the easiest walk. A map paradise, but I controlled myself, though we would definitely visit again when we are around this area. 

Walk 36 - Hahei

They were two autumn beach days. A crystal clear sea that we swam in, a warm sun that we slept in and a walk.

On the southern end of the beach is Te Pare Historic Reserve, which was once the site of two māori pā, Hereheretaura Pā and Hahei Pā.

You can take the route through an ancient pohutukawa grove to the pa sites or as we did and stroll along the beach and up the steps onto the hill. It was a warm afternoon and we sat taking in the views all around, allowing our minds to wander as we watch the sea and the clouds.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Hahei

Walk 35 - Waitakere Dam Walk

I don't know why, but I do find a dam rather fascinating. It may be the dam buster in me!

In the long long weekend we did manage some walking. Not so much as you'd notice or that the clothes are any looser, but let's not think about that just now. I wanted a walk that wouldn't kill me or depress me. I know I'm out of shape - no - I am a shape, I'm just not very fit at the moment. We are (as I frequently mention I know) blessed, there are walks for all sorts at our fingertips. So off west it was. Here to be precise. A road down, then heaps of steps, then along the old railway track. Quick stop for tea and cookies, then an amazing 'oh my I'm having an Indiana Jones moment' end of the track. Actually not the end of the track - we could have continued along for several hours. No, the turn around point for us. The steps up killed me - in that good way - the way that you know you are doing yourself some good but the end is in sight. The road up was a long and winding road. I kept my head down and kept breathing. Hurrah. Out of breath, soaked up the scenery. I think about 6km. I know, but it's better than the couch. Oh and it was so nice to be out walking midweek. 

On the dam, it caught my eye, there were loads and it said 25 on all of them...what does it mean

The dam through the forest. Rather hard all this green.

There is really little need for a map on a walk like this, but it's a habit. I'm not apologising, I'm proud. I always have a map.

My autumn leave obsession.

The Indiana Jones moment

The bridges reminded me of our Otago Rail Trail adventure, but these were more slippy.

There is that dam again, less green this time.