Why is it anyone wants to live in Auckland? Three news items in a row in my feed this morning: a home shot at, a stabbing, and a woman dies after an assault — all in Auckland.
My Lake Rotokura walk
Lake Rotokura is near Waiouru and is an easy ~30 minute walk, although there were a few fallen logs to clamber over. There were several interesting fungi. The ‘dry’ lake had water in it, along with a heap of dead trees still standing.
Before I went off walking I relaced my boots. In my photo the right boot is the old way (how they came from the shop). The left boot shows the new, incredibly much more comfortable, way. I should have done this a year ago… If you’ve never seen Ian’s Shoelace Site you should look.
It’s not fair to laugh at a dog who’s old, blind, mainly deaf, frail, etc, but sometimes I have to: Sasha was looking intently at the gap between the fridge and the pantry with the firm conviction that’s where I was. I was at the other end of the lounge calling her… 🐶
We have to accept the little facts of life. Bland indifference is a start, but cheerful whistling is even better.
Thanks @kitt for the link to this.
Woohoo, the book I co-wrote in 2006 is still earning me royalties. What shall I do with my 17 cents, I wonder?
This 22 minute doco is a delight: Inside the wonderful world of Hairy Maclary creator Lynley Dodd. What Kiwi doesn’t know the immortal words: “Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s dairy”, along with the characters Slinky Malinki and Scarface Claw?
I somehow got this free: A Dealer Dead Ahead (Law & Carter Cozy Mysteries Book 1). I read it to the end but didn’t care for it a whole lot. It just wasn’t very good, in any way. I might read another if it were free. Maybe this author gets better as she goes along? 📚
My Tongariro National Park visit — summary
Last weekend I visited Tongariro National Park to do some short walks. The winter weather was very obliging and I had a wonderful time. My favourite was the Silica Rapids Walk, even though it was a bit misty / drizzly from time to time. If I could only do one walk in that area it would be that one.
I stayed at Riversong Retreat in Horopito. It was very comfortable and the hosts were friendly, helpful and relaxed.
One thing: it’s winter and maybe that makes a difference, but I was hoping to see and maybe take photos of lots of birds. I saw and heard very few birds. Most of the walks were silent. On the other hand, I saw quite a few and diverse fungi.
Saturday 02 July 2022
- Lake Rotokura walk near Ohakune — 4.14 Km
Sunday 03 July 2022
Silica Rapids Track — 6.8 Km (started at the bottom, went to the rapids and returned, rather than walking the loop)
Tawhai Falls Track — 1.0 Km
Mounds Walk — 0.38 Km return
Monday 04 July 2022
- Taranaki Falls — 6 Km
- Ridge Track — 1.4 Km
Tuesday 05 July 2022
- Mangawhero Forest Walk and Rimu Walk near Ohakune — 4.36 Km total
Took me a while to get to this, but then I really enjoyed The Murderer’s Son (Jackman & Evans Book 1) by Joy Ellis. Of course. Ellis is an excellent writer: 📚
a man called Daniel Kinder walks into Saltern police station and confesses to the murder.
These fungi on the Mangawhero Forest Walk at Ohakune were very white.
I rounded a corner on a trail and saw a dark lump on this branch. Then I realised it had a short tail. Then I saw the eyes and pointed beak that told me it was a Ruru. I took a sec to get my phone out and it left silently. (Photo re-uploaded)
It only takes 3 and a half hours to drive home, and that includes a detour to a track. I should visit this area more often: stunning scenery, amazing short (and long) walks.
One of my favourite photos from today’s Taranaki Falls track — steps just beyond the Falls.
From the road to Whakapapa — look leftish and there’s Ngauruhoe; look rightish and there’s Ruapehu.
That was me, though at ~1200 metres, not the tippy-top: MetService:
To anyone standing on top of Mt. Ruapehu right now, there is not a single cloud within approximately 125km of you… in any direction.
Well that was a … relief. Things aren’t always so … convenient at 1200 meters altitude.
Today’s plan is to drive to Whakapapa again, walk to Taranaki Falls — 6 Km loop, then Ridge Track — 1.4 Km return. Still thinking of yesterday’s wonderful Silica Rapids walk. Here are two different blue fungi from that track.
Useful words:
Accept that the present moment is rarely unbearable. …
Accept that the past is gone and isn’t coming back. …
Accept that the future hasn’t arrived and will always remain uncertain. …
Caution road sign: Kiwi crossing at night. With Mt Ruapehu in the background.
