Wainuiomata Hill Road to Eastbourne

Another old favourite walk. It was a lovely warm sunny autumn day and the track was pretty dry all the way through.
The view back over Petone near the start of the walk.

A lovely old beech tree

and some small ferns with a fungus.

Looking down on Somes / Matiu Island,

Days Bay with the ferry wharf

and across to Wellington City.

Kaukau. Again.

First up - you may notice the new look. A change is as good as a rest as they say.

It has been a grey and cold weekend. This morning we climbed up Kaukau and managed to dodge the rain showers. I haven't been up there for probably a year or more. The last recorded visit was in September 2007. This is the view looking south across the harbour
and north east with rain sweeping down the Hutt Valley.

Over behind Makara, a large wind farm development, Project West Wind, is taking shape. The first four turbines are already producing electricity and the rest should be complete by year's end.

Lastly, two shots from Jenny's apartment. Noreen relaxing with evidence of newly unpacked cartons

and Jenny cooking tea in the kitchen.

Ballooning in Hamilton

This last weekend Noreen, Sam and Jena went for a hot air balloon ride in Hamilton. Take off was just after dawn, about 0700 on these darkening autumn mornings.
This is the rival company lifting off.
It was a bit cloudy with some mist and drizzle en route.

This is the balloon reflected in a lake directly underneath.
Up, up and away.
Portraits of the intrepid adventurers.

The Waikato River snakes through Hamilton.

All too soon the balloon started its descent
and made a perfect landing.

Jenny's new apartment

Here is a first look at Jenny's new apartment - she moved in on Friday. These were taken before she moved in so it still looks very neat and tidy.

This is the outside, Jenny and Chris admiring the tagging. Their flat is on the opposite side looking out onto the back gardens of the next street over.
The dining area with kitchen off to the left.

The other end of the main living room with the sun room at the far end.