Waikato River Walk

We had another fine weekend and it is fine again today. We are feeling very pleased about it.

I went for a walk with the tramping club along the Waikato River in Hamilton. We started in the gardens and then walked through Memorial park and on to the path. It is all concrete and easy walking. We walked about 4 ks on the east side of the river and then crossed over and  had lunch. Then we wandered back to the cars on the west side. 

At one point, we saw a boy of about 9 wanting to ride his scooter down a short, but steep hill. His mother said no but he did it anyway. Of course it got too fast and his face was a picture as it went from laughter to Oh My God!. He dropped the scooter and ran down. One of our lady's went to catch 

Lots of history boards along the path with Maori and early European stories. It was quite interesting and something I hadn't done before. They have the remains of the Rangiriri, which was the boat that took people and goods up and down the river. There isn't much of it left, but it has been put under shelter to protect it from the elements.

Hellebore at the Hamilton Gardens

Magnolia in the Hamilton Gardens

War Horse

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War Memorial with the wrong coloured poppies

These 3 photos were taken in Memorial park that we passed through on our river walk.

Spring

I think spring is on it's way. I have had a container with bulbs in it since we set off on the road. I had no flowers last spring, but this year I have one small white daffodil ( I think that's what it is).

cute flower

Blue Springs

Well we had a lovely weekend with lots of sunshine and getting to 18 degrees at our caravan. Today won't be so good, but we have to live with it.

Yesterday I went for a walk with the tramping club. I thought we were going to a walk along the Waikato River Trail, but it was closed because of tree felling, so we headed off to the Blue Springs near Putaruru. An oldy but a goody. 70% of New Zealand's bottled water comes from there.

looking down stream from the spring

looking up stream from the spring

A small water fall in fall flow beside the track

I have fully recovered from the half marathon. I had no aching muscles at all, so I was very pleased with myself.

Taupo Half Marathon

Just a little skite today.
Yesterday I walked the Taupo Half Marathon in 3 and 1/2 hours. I was quite pleased with the time as I didn't think I was walking as fast as I used too and I thought it might take me a bit longer than it did.
The weather was cool and cloudy for the most part. It started to rain for the last 5 ks, but it was only light rain and didn't cause any stress. I had my raincoat with me.
I was the 171st; the 130th woman and 13th in my age group. I have no idea how many in my group, but I'll take it.
I got a nice medal too.

My number

The medal

A walk at the Waitakaruru Arboretum

On Sunday I went for a walk with the local tramping club to the Waitakaruru Arboretum, which is near Hamilton. It used to be free and open 7 days, but now it is by appointment and costs $15 to get in. The owners are crowd sourcing for money so that they can be open all the time for free in the not to distant future.
Waitakaruru Arboretum was a quarry. There is 17.5 hectares that has been transformed by the planting of about 20,000 trees. Quite an achievement. They started in 1991. There are 2 ponds. One near the car park and the other at the bottom of the quarry. They are both pretty with water lilies and lovely plantings on the edges.
The walk is 2 km long with sculptures to admire as you go. 

a sculpture in the park 

A thoughtful lady in the bottom pond

Steps down to the bottom pond

A girl looking at the lady bird on her arm.

pond near the car park