Tuesday 31 March 2015

Traversing the 'Green Belt'

No, I'm not learning martial arts, I don't think my body would survive that, but you never know.

Last week I was browsing the local weekly freebie 
when I saw an article about a walk through the town belt. 


This is a ring of greenery around and through the city, 
mostly native bush but some parks
and occasionally across a busy city road.
 I decided I'd go out and walk it. 
I tried to coerce some of my family 
into coming with me but no, they weren't interested.
So on Sunday I collected my map (and bar of chocolate)
from the starting point and headed out.


We had to check in at five points and each one was at a place of interest, 
e.g. the Beverley Begg Observatory where they had a telescope
 set up for us to observe the sun,
or at  a memorial of some sort.
This was a memorial to Admiral Richard Byrd 
who sailed from Dunedin to the Antarctic on Dec. 2nd 1928.


There were some great views down the harbour and a lot of people
took advantage and snapped pics, me included.
With so many people about it was hard 
to get one without a body in it, but I managed.


Some of the tracks were paved and others were just mud trails, 
some with gravel on the steepest parts.
It was definitely up hill and down dale
and had been advertised as buggy friendly 
but I'm glad I wasn't trying to get a buggy up, 
or down, some of the places.
I felt sorry for the young mothers pushing their buggys, 
the ones who had the daddy with them were lucky. 
Most times people helped them at the worst parts.


We were up above the CBD 
and the schools were mostly below us as well. 
This is a zoomed snap of Otago Boys High School 
with the sports ground in the foreground.
I love this type of architecture and we have quite a bit of it in the city,
part of our Scottish heritage.


Eventually we arrived at the Bullock Track, 
the final part of our 8 kilometre walk.
At the bottom was the park and the very 
welcome sausage sizzle and cup of tea or coffee.


When everyone had checked in there was a tree planting ceremony
and we were able to take seedlings home to plant. 
I grabbed some for my eldest granddaughter
 who has studied horticulture, 
I thought she might like to try growing them. 
Not me, I tend to kill off things instead of growing them.

I was quite pleased with my effort, 
I walked it in 2 hours. 
Buuuut do. I. know. it. 
My hips complained all day long yesterday
but are slowly coming right 
and my calves decided to  object all day as well.
Luckily we didn't have much to do so it could have been worse.
Was it worth it? 
Yes...but I think probably more enjoyable with company.

******************
And talking of cups of tea, I wanted to show you this tea cup.


Easter is upon us and down under 
it happens in the autumn, not the spring.
So this is my autumn tea trio to celebrate the coming season.
It's a Colclough, bone china.
I think it is quite pretty even though 
the colours are not usually my favourite.
(Bun made by my GKB)>

Joining with:

Have a blessed Easter,
Diana

20 comments:

  1. Wow...that was some walk! You were able to capture some beautiful shots of the lovely scenery as well. And my hips would have been complaining right along with yours!

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  2. How fun!! My husband and I are planning to take up some hiking(walking) when he retires. We are blessed with lots of trails here in North Alabama. Love your pretty tea cup!! I still cannot wrap my mind around the fact that it is fall there!! I hope you have a Happy and Blessed Easter Diana.

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  3. How ambitious and brave of you to venture out on your own! I am not there yet in mind or body! What beautiful scenery you enjoyed. Happy Easter to you and yours!

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  4. What a scenic and challenging walk! Sounds like the terrain and views were varied which hopefully made the time go by a bit faster. How nice you received seedlings at the end. Thanks for sharing your teacup. I guess the entire color scheme for Easter decor must be entirely different than ours in the North. Have a wonderful Easter! ~Nora

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  5. Hello! Such lovely photos from your walk. The school's architecture is really gorgeous. I also admire your lovely tea cup. Wishing you a blessed Easter.

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  6. What an amazing walk. Even if you have to do it slowly and still pay the price the next day. I like your pretty little tea cup. Here in our northern hemisphere we are "supposed" to be in spring though presently covered in snow from a surprise snowstorm yesterday... not expected! It is pretty but have to admit I am tired of that kind of pretty, I would prefer yours!!!!

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  7. What a lovely walk, Diana. I would've loved to have joined you to experience all the beauty. Thanks for sharing the pretty teacup at the end.
    Happy Easter to you!

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  8. Beautiful pictures. Everything is so green and lush.

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  9. Dear Diana,

    What a beautiful walk! I love walks in nature and I would have enjoyed this one, for sure. Happy Easter to you. :)

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  10. Good for you for completing such a scenic walk!

    Your teacup is lovely! I also have a number of the Colclough pretties.

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  11. Dearest Diana; What a GREAT walk and scenery from your country♡♡♡ And I was SO impressed by 'Otago Boys High School', how beautiful the architecture is! Scottish heritage,is it♪
    Love your beautiful autumn tea cup very much, my friend.

    Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend in New Zealand, xoxo Miyako*

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  12. Looks like a fabulous walk with a lot of variety. I would have LOVED to walk along with you.

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  13. What a wonderful walk. Your photography is amazing.

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  14. So nice to meet you. What a special time you had and the walk is amazing. Thank you for stopping by and your kind visit and comment.
    Wishing you a wonderful and Blessed Easter.
    Hugs, CM

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  15. Wow....your friends and family who DIDN'T want to go along sure missed some great scenery!!! What a beautiful walk you shared with us. I'm glad to have gone along with you on this hike.

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  16. What a delightful walk...and, yes, I would like it better with someone else along with me. Maybe you can get one of your family to go with you next time.
    Love your pretty tea cup and I'd like a bite of that cross bun. :)

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  17. Sweet friend, how I would have loved to have been with you on your glorious walk :) You captured some beautiful photos and I am truly thankful you shared them with us.

    I am always blessed by you and I am very glad you share your wonderful posts with Roses of Inspiration. May you have a blessed Easter. Hugs to you!

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  18. I'd need more than a hot-cross-bun after that walk. Many moons ago I could have done it. Thanks for sharing it with us.

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  19. What a wonderful walk, I think I too would have been a bit sore after all that trekking! I love your tea cup and it's autumness! I can't wait for that season to be here again :-) Have a wonderful Easter xx

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  20. It feels good to accomplishment something like that. most of our walks are around 2 hours and we can only do that once a week or so. And our trails are all flat! lol Enjoy your week! Hugs, Diane

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