Waikanae, Porirua, Makara Beach, Wellington

Thursday, 1st November

Yes, the golf shirt was a clue and we played a round on the picturesque Waikanae Course which had native shrubs, wetlands, pukekos and tuis, before heading on to the industrial area of Porirua where we stayed at the Elsdon Youth and Motor Camp. Our bus looked small against the 3 neighbours 10 metre buses and one had a trailer with a clothes wringer (mangle) attached! I didn't need to borrow it as I could do a big wash in the washing machine and hang it on our special tree-attached washing line. It is bliss to have access to a machine -never take it for granted!

Possible future accessory

The camp was at the base of the Colonial Knob walk which is in our new "100 Best Day Walks in NZ" book which was Len's leaving gift from the Literacy and Language Board
Tuesday was a perfect day for doing this walk - sunny, clear and no wind. We had the most amazing views - all at one time we could see the snow-capped Kaikouras, the Rimutakas, Wellington Harbour, Kapiti and the snowy peak of Mount Taranaki. Very spectacular!

South of North Island wind farm & North of south Island snowy mountain tops

Wednesday we drove through the Takarau Gorge from Johnsonville to Makara Beach - the narrow road was a bit of a challenge but luckily any oncoming traffic we met seemed to be at the right place. After having some lunch we did the Makara walk up to the gun battery and back along the very stony coast route which was quite hard to walk on. There was a strong wind blowing as we walked up the steep ridge at the start of the walk but luckily it was behind us and helped us on our way. I still wasn't that keen on being close to the cliff edge though.

The sign at the bottom-crystal clear now!

The signposting at the top wasn't dummy proof and we ended up adding on a mountain bike forest loop  which meant the walk took an extra couple of hours but altogether we were much quicker than the suggested time. Think our fitness is right up there now!

Then it was on to Karori, Wellington where we are in plenty of time for my Marsden School reunion which starts tomorrow. Way out in the hills we stumbled upon the Karori Golf Club and we were tempted to stay there the night and play today but resisted that temptation and found a rather sideways sloping spot at the back of Karori Park. We have spent the morning climbing around Wrights hill and along the perimeter of Zealandia, the wildlife sanctuary. Shortly we will head down into the city and then back to park outside an old schoolfriends house if the street isn't too busy.