These boots were made for walking

The most expensive footwear I have ever bought will soon become scuffed and dirty as I am now the proud owner of a pair of Merrell Moab tramping boots. Hopefully they will be comfortable on my wonky feet and literally last the distance. 

Tramping near Porirua

 I joined Nisa, Sue and 17 others from the Parawai Tramping Club on a trip near Porirua today. We started at Camp Elsdon and walked up through the bush to Colonial Knob. Kate had arranged permission to cross farmland walking west to the beach. We dropped into a valley then climbed up and down a hill on the other side before we reached the coast near Open Bay. We stopped for lunch when we reached the beach then continued north until we came to a lovely private sandy bay. Most of the group went for a swim but it was a bit cold for me so I paddled on the edge. We carried on around the coast to Titahi Bay past some more lovely bays and craggy rock formations. The weather was perfect and the views to the South Island, Mana Island and Kapiti Island were magnificent. A thoroughly enjoyable day with a friendly group of people. 

And a wee while later ...

I guess it's never too late to start posting again. At least Blogger hasn't disappeared into the black hole of cyberspace like many other apps have. I've skipped a trip to Europe and two years of a pandemic but let's see what 2022 brings. 

First full work week of the year and finished with a 10km evening walk along the Waikanae River with Nisa. We started at the end of Manly Street, walked through the wetland, along the Otaihanga side of the river bank to the second bridge and back along the Waikanae side. We saw horses, parrots, fantails, birds fishing in the estuary, and a helicopter land 100m away from us. The ParkRun part of the track has been cleared of the fallen tree and new (large, chunky) gravel has been laid on the path after the flood 6 weeks ago. There is some significant riverbank erosion in a couple of places and you can see how high the water was by the plant debris still stuck in the trees. 

Photos from Nisa's FB page here. 

Nature's Evening Hat Trick

The setting sun put on an amazing display this evening - a rainbow, pink tinged snow and a brilliant sunset. 

Star Wars

Intergalactic guests from Outpost 42 of the 501st Legion were the stars at my Star Wars school holiday story time today. 

Te Reo Singalong

Great to catch up with Sharon & Alan when they stayed on Monday night and they put on a fun & energetic show for the little kids at Paraparaumu Library on Tuesday. 

Hall Family Reunion

Forty five descendents of my great-grandparents, George & Emily Hall, got together on 4 May 2019 to learn about our shared ancestry and enjoy getting to know the extended whanau.