Mt Te Aroha

We are enjoying quite warm weather with 30 degree days. Yesterday we put a sunshade up that attaches to the awning and keeps out 80% of the UV rays. It was amazing how much cooler it was behind it. We forgot we had it, which is why it wasn't put up earlier. Doh!

I went for a tramp to Mt Te Aroha yesterday. Not the most successful tramping day out I have ever had. I got to the look out after about an hour and thought this is only going to get steeper. My fitness levels have definitely dropped off. We had  new lady with us, who also decided she didn't have the stamina to go any further either, so we went back down. 

To pass the time while we waited, we decided to walk around the wetlands near Te Aroha. We hadn't gone too far when the sole of Joy's sneaker came off, so it was just as well she didn't keep going up the mountain. 

I had taken the car keys of the car we traveled in, so we could put our packs away, so Joy and I came home about 3 30 and the driver stopped at our place to collect the keys on her way home. As they never got down from the mountain  until 6 pm, I was glad we hadn't hung around Te Aroha. They came down a different track, which isn't as steep, but quite a bit longer. I have decided I need to go up to the Wairere Falls a bit to get my fitness levels back up.

Browning came for the day and this is how he traveled. He seemed very comfy.

This is a view from part way up Mt Te Aroha.
You can just make out the race course.