A run, a swim and a walk

Noreen finally did her run and swim on Saturday. These are a series of events for women designed to get them participating in exercise. As well as Noreen, Jane, Liz and Eileen from the walking group participated. Nico has made a film which we will try and post on YouTube.
[Update - It's on Nico's blog now. Scroll down about half way and double click on the Video icon to launch YouTube. We have a CD version for anyone who wants it in high definition. Let me know and I'll send you a copy.]
Each event is in a different location. A few weeks ago Jane participated in Eastbourne. This week it was around Oriental Bay in the centre of Wellington. I went to near the half way stage and took some video on my camera of the running stage. I saw a couple of interesting sea birds on my way round. This is a Variable Oystercatcher, a species endemic to New Zealand.

As I was making a video I didn’t get any photos of the run so here are a couple from Jenny to give you a flavour of the event before we post the video.

Above - Liz, Jane and Noreen before the start. Below - Noreen, relieved it is all over.

On Sunday a select few made the trek from Kaitoke to Smith Creek over the Puffer Track.

We had our lunch on the river bed. This is covered by a raging torrent when it has been raining!

Here is the group - Nico, me, Andy and Eileen.Much of the walk is through unspoiled forest. We met only a couple of people on the track. There is a remarkable variety of vegetation which is difficult to convey in photographs. Here is a typical bit of forest as a taste of the experience. The return journey was over the Dobson Loop Track which went up a lot more than I remembered! Consequently I wasn't in the mood for taking photos but this is view on the way down. It's looking towards Upper Hutt and that is Mount Climie in the upper left.