bLoG
The ups and downs
Day 60 February 29th 2016
Leap Day! Not sure I have heard it called that before but today there was a whole feature about “Leap Day” on the radio. Traditionally it is the day when a woman can ask a man to marry them – I did just that 16 yrs ago today! But today’s photo is nothing to do with that!
Another walk around Lake Rotoroa in the centre of Hamilton and I came across this wee fellow;
Day 59 February 28th 2016
A big day out – our longest training walk to date with all four of the team. It was a hot, hot day so just as well we had the benefit of the bush for some shade for some of the time. The Waikato River trail out from Mangakino 15km and back again – apparently (according to technology) over 2000m of ascent over 30km and just under 5 hours!
Here is the Pat and the Posties team – and here is the link to our Oxfam page – shameless donation plug!!
Day 58 February 27th 2016
A great day at Educamp Rotovegas with inspiring educators and learners. One of the things I shared was Photospheres in Google Street View. I have just discovered them and as I play am wondering how they could be used to enhance our children’s learning. Someone else said that they use them along with Google cardboard to create virtual tours of their environment, and tell stories.
This is a photo I took this evening at the trig point above Hamilton gardens when I was out walking. Hamilton Gardens on #StreetView.
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Day 57 February 26th 2016
A trip out to visit a beautiful little rural school in the Waikato today. I love meeting such positive teachers and hearing all about their plans for their students. I meant to take a photo of the school but forgot so this one is just down the road. Picture postcard stuff.
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Day 56 February 25th 2016
A bittersweet day. Yesterday my Mum would have celebrated her 87th birthday, Today is the 33rd anniversary of her death. It’s been a long time and while the hurt fades the memories never do. Today as part of my training for the Oxfam 100km Trailwalk I walked along the river through Hamilton. The Potter Children’s Garden is now complete and what a beautiful place to take children it is. There were a few families taking advantage of splashing and cooling down in the cool, flowing water in the early evening when it was still quite warm, playing on the swings, slides and seesaws and marvelling at the birds in the aviary. For me, this Whakatauki etched in the steps said it all. I think my Mum would have related to the sentiments it evokes.
“Whakarongo ake a ki te tangi a te maru e rere runga rawa ra e, tui tui tui tuia, tuia i runga, tuia i raro, tuia a roti, tuia i rato, tuia a waho, tui tui tui tuia ka rongo te po, ka ringo te ao, tui tui tui tuia.”
” I listen, I listen where up high a bird flies. It’s cry rings out “Sew and stitch and bind it together. From above, from below, from within, from outside. Sew and bind it together. During the day and during the night. Sew and stitch and bind it together.”
Day 55 February 24th 2016
A 14km training walk along the beach at Raglan. What a stunning evening!
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Day 54 February 23rd 2016
Back at Pukemokemoke hill training again. Hot and sweaty, with heavy legs after the weekend’s exertions but we managed two and a half circuits in an hour and a half ago not bad going. Here we are at the top four the second time.
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Day 53 February 22nd 2016
A busy work day today but I made time to go out and smell the roses in the garden. Ok, this is not a rose and it has no scent but it is stunning!
Day 52 February 21st 2016
The day started with bathing alternately in the hot water stream at Spa Park and the cold water of the river. Great for our tired muscles. But today’s photo is at one of our regular haunts in the Tron. Lake Rotoroa is home to plenty of very well fed ducks! I spotted these as Nigel and I walked twice round the lake. Our boys have outgrown taking bread to ducks but there is no shortage of donors on a sunny Sunday afternoon. The funniest thing happened a couple of minutes after this shot when one duck snatched a whole piece of bread and broke away from the group waddling rapidly with two more ducks in hot pursuit quacking loudly!
Day 51 February 20th 2016
The Great Lake Relay is an annual event in Taupo in which teams of between 10 and 18 people run 155 km around Lake Taupo. This is the third time I have been part of a team. Each time there are some core people so there is some familiarity but it is the different faces that make each iteration so unique and enjoyable. Here is this year’s team about to set off at 2am.
Whereas in previous years we have made it round in well under the allocated 16hrs, this year we were sailing close. However, everyone pulled together and gave of their best. It was a real team effort and the final few minutes certainly got the adrenalin flowing. Ten exhausted but elated team members with a great sense of achievement so I have cheated and also included the photo at the end of the race.
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