Another tick

We have another tick for the dodge. On Saturday we took it to the man who has to approve the brakes. He said he was happy with the way it was done. Now we are waiting for paper work from the powers that be whose name escapes me at the moment. The brake man also has to see it hooked up and make sure that the brakes are pulsing at the right rate.

As part of my half marathon training I went for my hour walk today and got hailed on. It started to rain first and then it hailed. Of course there was no shelter anywhere near me. I had my umbrella with me, but my feet and legs were quite wet. It was nice to get home and have a hot shower. I feel more like myself again.

A Half Marathon

I don't think I have mentioned that I am going to walk a half marathon in Taupo on the 4th August. Training has been going on for 8 weeks and I have 6 to go. I have a very good training programme that I got from a book entitled "Marathons for Mortals". I can't remember the authors names. They are marathon and extreme event practitioners themselves and write, with much experience behind them and in a style that is easy to read and get benefit from. Our daughter first gave me a copy which I misplaced when we moved into the caravan, so I bought her a new one and then promptly found the lost one. Isn't always the way. 
So this week I walked for an hour on Monday; a 40 minute swim on Tuesday; a rest on Wednesday; a 50 minute walk on Thursday; and a 30 minute swim on Friday or I might go on my bike; as long as I am exercising but not walking. It is called a cross training day. On Saturday I am going to do a 12.9 k walk. I will gradually build up to a 16 k walk 3 weeks before the event.
I haven't done a half marathon for about 8 or 9 years, so it will interesting to see how I get on this time.

Climbing Mt Maungatautari

Well the rain is back boo hoo. I managed to get the last of the washing up to date yesterday. I am such a housewife. I love it when the washing gets dry on the day I wash it. It's not happening a lot lately.

One of my cousins has been visiting us in their caravan, so the property looks a bit like a caravan park at the moment.

I went up Mt Maungatautari. I had forgotten how long it was. About 8 ks up and then (of course )you have to come down. I was wearing my new boots and my toes were in agony by the time I was half way down. My right big toenail has a bruise under it, so I think it might come off. I am hoping it was because they are new and not a bit too small. Maungatautari has a predator fence around the base of it to protect the bush from predators. The birds, trees and insects are doing well without the possums and rats in the bush.

Here is a bit I found on the internet about Mt Maungatautari.

Maungatautari is an eroded andesitic volcano. It was chosen as a suitable site for the project for a number of reasons, including the diversity of its terrain, the relative integrity of natural areas in spite of some human engineered changes, the commitment of surrounding communities, and the feasibility of fence-construction given surrounding developed terrain.

Some elements of the diversity of Maungatautari took scientists by surprise. In April 2006, the discovery of 100 silver beech trees caused considerable excitement in the botanical community. The tree, native to southern New Zealand, had not previously been believed to be present on Maungatautari, although researchers who came to investigate emphasized that the tree had probably been established during the last ice age. The largest of the trees were estimated to be several centuries old. Jim Mylchreest, Maungatautari Trust's chief executive, pointed out that the trees were not only exciting in themselves, but also for the fungi and insects they might host that also may not have been expected to be present on Maungatautari. 

Mt Maungatautari in the moning
photo from the internet

Composting toilet

We have our new compost toilet up and running. So far so good, but it is early days. Not that we are expecting any problems. Eddie has done a lot of research on them and watched you tube videos done by people who have had the same toilet installed into their caravans.

It has sphagnum moss in the bottom chamber, where no 2 goes. After you are done, you turn the handle and mix it up. No 1 goes into a removable chamber in the front. Neither of the two can meet, as it will up set the compost making. When it is full it goes into a rubbish bag for removal. If you want to use it in the garden it has to stay in the bag for another month or so. 

Unpacked and ready for installation

Eddie trying it out for size.

Installed and ready to go.

We bought some appropriate cushion covers. Cool aren't they?

I went to Te Aroha yesterday with the tramping club. We were going to walk around the historical walk, but the weather was wet and horrible so we just went to a museum in a house. It is absolutely chock a block with royal memorabilia. She also collects prams made by Thompson as they were made by her husband's grandfather back in the day. She has copies of some of Kate's dresses and Meghan's white coat. She does events, so she has the costumes for people to wear. They had a big “do” at Te Aroha on the day of Harry and Meghan's wedding, using clothes that she has. A bit odd and interesting all at the same time. Isn't it funny what people get into for a hobby.