At the start of the year, I got the idea to go and find some sunshine and warmth in the middle of winter. A weeklong trip was secured to Rarotonga, Cook Island.
Today I left NZ to go in search of the sunshine.
Despite the cold weather in NZ, the morning bloomed amazingly and was a spectacular scene at the airport whilst waiting for the flight
Just a quick 3.5-hour flight and then hopefully the sun will be shining, and I can relax for a week.
The Sunday walk today was to a small lake just north of the city. We have so much countryside, that agriculture lakes are all over the place and also, several trusts or donated pieces of land have been developed into reserves for the public.
This one, known locally as Lake D (yes there are ones close by called Lake B and Lake C) is about 3.1km round and has a great gravel path to follow. It is easy to wander round or run if you are inclined to do so!
Today, a typical winter morning, blue skies, cloud and fog. Cold enough that you still need a jacket and layers but beautiful enough to be breath takingly spectacular.
My friend was determined to get out her camping chair and use it, even if it was just for the last 5 minutes before we left! (it was new)
She looked like the queen sat there, viewing the lake and the world going by.
Walk finished, all accounted for and off to breakfast at a local cafe.
Autumn is well and truly here and it is beautiful.
It is just amazing how the different shades come together to create magic
And sometimes, you just need that first moment and it all comes together.
I am now on holiday for 3 weeks due in part to:
As you know, I am part of an amazing running/walking club.
Our Sunday activity this week was out at Raglan. It is on the West coast of New Zealand and has some amazing beaches and cliffs. Thereby making for a pleasant walk/run that can be up and down the hills or flat across the beach (at the correct tide times)
We call it the 'Reindeer Run' and then we go to coffee afterwards. The weather obliged fully and it was amazing being out there in the sunshine, alongside the beach and seeing some amazing views.
However, despite what it looks like with the bright blue sky and shining sun, that water was bone arse freezing cold, like ice. Obviously, we haven't had enough warm temperatures quite yet to make the sea water warmer.
Colour, it is everywhere and I wonder if we appreciate it for what it is?
I pass this bush every day at the door into work and I am fascinated as I watch the multiple different purples come out in the flowers
I have been looking at and aweing in the wonder of nature this year and the beauty that naturally surrounds us
Some days, to get through Friday you need something special.
Today, my car had a mind of its own and drove to the best little doughnut shop in town, at 7am, and I took a large box of treats to share at work.
Whilst my appetite is still not great, I did manage at least half of a doughnut and everyone else appreciated breakfast on this cold winter Friday
Like yesterday morning, I had a perfect view of the sunrise, well when one is awake at 5am, what else is there to do?
We do get spectacular sunrises and fog in winter here in my part of New Zealand and this morning did not disappoint at all. The city was blanketed and amazing
The netting you can see through the windows is there to protect the building from birds. Many an incident with pigeons coming in through open windows and making a mess of the ledges outside the windows, so this netting hangs all the way to the first floor from the top of the building.
