The ups and downs
Back to work! I love long weekends, that extra day makes all the difference especially when you get away somewhere and escape!
I had a great session working with a group of teachers today, though. Lots of good conversations and hopefully they gained plenty from it to move forwards.
Dropped my hire car off in town and walked back home along the river to get some fresh air and stretch my legs. Interesting to compare the rail bridge and the road bridge – different eras, different materials.

Another ‘recovery’ day and another beautiful ‘day in paradise’ and extra special because it’s a long weekend. Muscles are sore, toes are sore but hip not too sore! We decided to tackle the Silica Rapids before heading home via Taupo and a dip in the lake. More stunning scenery…say no more!
Recovery day today! Haha! Hot and cold energising shower to start the day. With varying degrees of brokenness we decided to tackle the Old Coach Road from Ohakune. Each going at our own pace – Jo and I managed 10km by doing a few extra ‘dog legs’ and a loop around the Hapuawhenua Viaduct. We were very good and did some mid-walk stretches. Treated ourselves afterwards to lunch in Ohakune.

The Tussock Traverse goes from Tukino, on the Desert Road side of Ruapehu, across the most spectacular landscape, to Whakapapa. Fantastic conditions, amazing organisation and the friendliest marshals you could ask for. And a running/walking buddy who was great company. Two ‘broken’ runners, we walked and ran the 26km together and finished together. Difficult to pick the best photo of the day…. so here’s one at the start and one somewhere on the way!
Arrived at The Château to check in for the Tussock Traverse. Looks like it’s going to be a beautiful day tomorrow. I still find this grand old building to be quite incongruous to its surroundings but it is a true reflection of the sort of things that were built in colonial times.
I had the good fortune to spend the day with an awesome bunch of teachers in Reporoa today. Excited to be working with them this year. Beautiful landscape and made the most of it by going for a dip in the hot water at Kerosene Creek on the way home. Such a beautiful spot.
Wow! Nearly the end of the first month already! Work has gained momentum as schools go back so photos were thinking on the ground today. I could show you the pan with burnt on pasta swirls that I came back to this afternoon…or the 4 Minion shoe bags I made this evening for our Oxfam trail walker team.
I think the pasta is funnier, sorry Gus! Quite artistic too!
Another week, another trip to Auckland to see/listen to another great musician. PJHarvey was brilliant. This review of the Sydney show says it all although the same can’t be said of the venue. Mesmerising, powerful sounds, powerful words, a complete performance. Even bought the tee-shirt!
Photos were hard to come by – to many tall people in front of me…think I’ll take a stool to the next concert!
A bike ride this afternoon- low impact training to help assuage my hip! Lovely light on the Waikato river. As well as the ducks and the flowing river, drones now seem to be part of the landscape.