Wellington Anniversary

wow what an awesome day I've had today!

Got up early and decided to jump on my bike as it was an absolute gorgeous morning, no wind, beautiful blue skies and the sun just starting to shine. I got as far as Silverstream Bridge and my chain did a berko on me and got stuck so I rang Craig with a distress call and he came to my rescue and before long I was hoofin it down the river trail on my way to Totara Park - I rode past where I normally go and along to Harcourt Park, over the footbridge and then back along the stop banks, back onto Totara Park bridge and then back down to Moonshine Park. 20kms. Craig met met there and I took the car home and he rode the bike home - hes starting things gently with the bike riding so its all good.

Got home had some breakfast and asked Craig what he wanted to do. The options were
1. go for walk around Pencarrow
2. go for a walk around to Red Rocks
3. him go for a motorbike ride and me walk Mt Kaukau.

The last option was the one picked so I packed up my gear, slapped on some sunblock, jumped in the car and drove to Khandallah where the walkway goes up behind the swimming pool. Now everyone I have talked to said that Mt Kaukau (pron. cow-cow) is a lung killer but you know me ... 10 ft tall and bulletproof thought being the athlete I am would give it a go! LMAO It didnt seem as steep as the one I did at Christmas - Cannon Point - but it seemed longer. I found out later the peak is 430 mtrs, about 3kms from the beginning of the walkway. Mt Kaukau is the most visible high point in the Wellington landscape. The first part of the walk is mainly through forest. As you get closer to the top, the density of the trees decrease which allows you to have some views on your way up. At the top is stunning views of Wellington harbour (1st pic) Eastbourne, Petone (2nd pic) right over to the Rimutaka ranges, also over to the Porirua basin - I could see parts of my triathlon course! the hills around Wellington - out to Karori and Makara and also the south island (3rd pic). It was bloody windy up there! It took me 30 minutes to get up there - there are hundreds of steps going up. A bloody good work out for my quads thats for sure - I only had to have a couple of stops to catch my breath. I sat and admired the vistas for about 15 minutes before jogging back down the hill to the carpark. Yes jogging! it only took me 20 minutes to come down and my legs were total jelly at the bottom. I passed quite a few people coming down and one couple who moved aside for me I heard the guy say to his partner "wow she must be really fit" LOL which totally made my day. At the bottom near the carpark is a council serviced swimming pool and if I had of thought about it I should have taken my togs and gone for a dip and done a few laps! It was about 24C by about then! So instead I treated myself to a real coffee at the cafe there - was devine!

When I got home, Craig had also been out for his ride and I did some washing, had some lunch, flicked on the telly and we ended up watching Finding Nemo - what a gorgeous movie that is! TEEHEE! We finished the day by sitting outside for the afternoon, such a glorious day - only just come in now after having pork and veges on the bbq for dinner.

Whew! What a cool weekend! Short week this week and then the weekend after next we have another short weekend with Waitangi Day YIPPEEEEEEEE

Happy Wellington Anniversary!