There is an eerie calm over our neighbourhood today. It is obvious that there are people staying
at home, but everything is so quiet. No
road traffic noise. No vehicles coming
and going. No machinery working. No planes flying overhead. Not even any over-loud radios playing. All I have heard is an occasional dog barking
and a tui (or it may be a bellbird) chortling in the nearby reserve.
Full lock-down comes into place at 11.59pm tonight
(Wednesday). We are allowed to leave our
homes for walks as long as we remain local and maintain distance from anyone we
may meet. I don’t find walking around
streets particularly inspiring, so usually drive to wherever I wish to
walk. I think for this period of
isolation I will simply remain at home.
I can walk around the house, inside and out, and potter
about the garden. There is space in the
living room for dancing and jumping up and down, so plenty of opportunities to
get some exercise. I am truly thankful
that I have this space surrounding our home that we can move around in. Son will be our designated shopper, going to
the supermarket for fresh supplies as needed (probably weekly).
There are many beautiful walks around New Zealand, some
short and easy and others long and difficult.
I thought maybe looking at some over the next few weeks could create a
“virtual walking” experience. It would
certainly help me to remember that life will once again return to normal and I
can once again get out and about and do more of these walks.
Today I thought we could climb Mt Maunganui, or The Mount as
it is often referred to. Known as Mauao
in Maori, this extinct volcanic cone rises 232 metres high (761 feet) from the
ocean at its base. The ocean beach here is famous for surfing, and it is located close to the city of Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty.
This walk will be a
composite of different ascensions taken over the last twenty years. There are several paths on The Mount, but some no longer exist as there
have been several landslides on the mountain in recent years.
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| Mt Maunganui viewed from Leisure Island |
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| Start of the trek up, from the Ocean Beach side |
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| This is one of the pathways that no longer exists |
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| Steps on the Waikorire Track |
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| Looking back down on the ocean side |
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| Almost to the summit |
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| Trig station at the summit of Mt Maunganui |
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| The view back down over the town of Mt Maunganui |
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| Heading back down on the other side |
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| The path down this side is very steep in places |
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| Sheep graze on this side of the mountain |
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| Almost back to sea level - this time on the side of Pilot Harbour |
I hope you enjoyed the walk J
Stay safe and well,
That is quite the walk!! I doubt that I have the stamina for this one. How long is the walk start to finish?
ReplyDeleteI think you are meant to be able to do it within an hour. It usually takes me at least double that, but then I also like to sit and look at things, and photograph bits, and have to catch my breath sometimes as well!
DeleteIt is a wonderful place for a walk. Thanks for taking us along. Take care!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it :)
DeleteHi Margaret, I followed you here from Graham's at Eagleton Notes. So glad I did. That was a splendid virtual walk. What a great idea!
ReplyDeleteWelcome Pauline, and I am glad you enjoyed the "walk" :)
DeleteThank you so much for the lovely scenery on our 'walk'! I, too, have lots of room to walk around, so I consider myself blessed. Stay safe, my friend. It will be over soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy you are a part of 'My Corner of the World' this week!
My Corner of the World
And I'm happy that you run this link, Betty. Stay safe and enjoy your space, Mxx
DeleteThat was a nice walk indeed! Sorry you have a lock down - I hope we can avoid that.
ReplyDeleteI stay inside, though, too and stay away from people. Plus.... it´s cold!
It is meant to be warming up now, on your side of the world :))
DeleteWe are heading into winter and our traditional flu season, and I think that is partly why they are coming down so hard trying to head off this virus. It could literally be catastrophic for our little country if it got out of hand.
I have been to Mount Maunganui many times but never walked up The Mount. Thanks for sharing your photos.
ReplyDeleteIt is quite a hike. Last time I made it up there I almost cheered when I reached the top!!
DeleteThank you what amazing views and wonderful photo's, a perfect start to our morning here, blogging whilst on lockdown is a must.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Blogging is one way we can all stay in touch and encourage each other. We are all going through the same sort of stuff, and it helps to know one is not alone in the battle.
DeleteGlad these photos started your morning off so well :) xx
My, that was exhausting, but the views were worth it! We must do this again.
ReplyDeleteHave fun, but stay safe.
Yes, you get 360 degree views across from the top. It really is beautiful. We will have to go virtual-walking again :)
DeleteBeautiful sceneries,indeed.Thanks for sharing.Good that you read the message first then publish it. I love New Zealand, i follow blogs and vlogs too, sometimes on YouTube.Keep it up and stay safe and enjoy all the green around you.It soothes the mind and make you feel healthier.
ReplyDeleteRegards
Being able to breath fresh air and get outside into sunshine certainly makes a person feel healthier and more positive about things, especially during these strange times.
DeleteWOW! Such spectacular views! I hope to visit New Zealand someday.
ReplyDeleteHappy Wednesday!
I am sure you would love it, and I hope you make it here one day. Have a happy day :)
DeleteYou are welcome, RobertN :)
ReplyDeleteWow, you have some gorgeous places to walk. The views are fabulous! These virtual walk are so easy, they just do not burn any calories. Take care, stay well. Enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteHaha, I forgot about the calories. Burning virtual calories on a virtual walk just doesn't do it, does it? Have a great day :)
DeleteOh Margaret! Every few flights you walk out there at Mt. Maunganui gives you different worlds of views and scapes! Oh that view from the top that shows the isthmus is just a big reward when you get to the summit. These landscapes and views reminds me of Hawaii, I guess because of the Polynesian brotherhood between Hawaii and New Zealand but it's just absolutely breath-taking! I feel grateful to you for taking us on this trip!
ReplyDeleteStay Safe Margaret, I always look forward to my daily visits to NZ through your space here :)
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I am happy you are enjoying your virtual trips to New Zealand. Yes, the views from the top of the mountain really are fantastic and make the effort of climbing worth while.
DeleteI wish you well, Margaret. These beautiful walks will be waiting for you when this episode in our lives finally comes to an end. I suspect that may take longer than we all might wish. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteI fear you may be right David, about how long this may take to pass. You guys stay safe as well xx
DeleteOh my, that is a glorious walk! I love the green and the deep blue water. The sheep by the water are beautiful. It is an eerie calm here too. Our full lockdown starts tomorrow morning.
ReplyDeleteI think the sheep roaming the mountain are great (well, it is called a mountain but it is nothing at all like your Rockies!). They generally stay away from people (dogs are not allowed on the mountain) and keep the grass from growing too rank. I hope your lockdown goes well - it seems to be the only way to control things at the moment.
DeleteWow, I would love to be able to go on that walk with you...this is when having a big screen TV might come in handy...find a youtube video and pretend to be there!
ReplyDeleteVirtual travel? I'm all for that :)
DeleteO How I love this walk! It is years ago that I made it myself. How lovely to read about it and be able to go back in memory to the wonderful times I have spent in New Zealand with my relatives in Tauranga. Thank you very much!
ReplyDelete