Saturday Summer Run

On Saturday Wellington Harriers had their summer run from Gary's place in Raumati South.

He turned on a magnificent day for us and took us around some of his running tracks. There was a great turn out of runners and walkers. Gary not only turned on fantastic weather but made sure we were well catered for with a cold drink and ample food afterwards.

Here are some photos of what we saw on our travels on the Kapiti Coast walkways and beaches.

Getting set to go

We're off

Along Raumati South Beach with Kapiti Island in the background.

Front runners heading to Lookout

Time to take in the view for a moment

and catch our breath.





How about a group photo to show our grand children if they are at all interested.

I managed to get into this one [on seat 3rd from the left] Obviously it was very warm!



Some of the boys are feeling frisky.



Another team photo

Liam 19 who we picked up along the way making his move.

Back on to the beach to get some sea breeze.

Round 1 of the New Zealand Surf Boat Competition at Paekakariki Beach.



Paekakariki Lookout

Was worth the effort!

Time to head home.

A good spread was waiting for us.

Plenty of food and drink to replenish lost energy.

Telling a few stories of past glories

and sorting out the problems of the world.



Thanks Gary for hosting a scenic and enjoyable run. Everyone enjoyed the challenge under sunny skies and the after match function.

Scenic 5k

Please join me in a 5km run / walk from my house.

It is 400 metres to Raumati South Beach. When you get there have a look over to Kapiti Island.

Now we head south towards Paekakariki.

There's a short uphill leaving the beach to the Esplanade.

When we get to Queen Elizabeth Park we enter the park and turn left uphill.

We have a choice of 2 tracks but because we are on a short course today we will continue up to the left.

After that climb we now have a short downhill as we head home.

We're keeping good time so we can stop to greet some of the locals before heading out of the park.

There are some lovely blossoms out being early spring

and some lush greenery.

Now you are just about there...just one more km to go. Keep going!

You've made it safely back! Well done!

Beach Life

When our family moved up to the Kapiti Coast to be close to my work one of the biggest draw cards was being next to the ocean. Our home is situated 400 metres from the sea and since moving to Raumati South 15 years ago the beach has been prominent in our leisure activities.

Whether it is swimming in the summer or running along the sand and over the dunes we have enjoyed living on the coast. The sea smells and refreshing breeze invigourates the spirit.

Due to a lingering cold I decided to go for a walk with my camera and take some shots of the beach area.

Here is some of what I saw!

North towards Raumati Beach

Looking out to Kapiti Island



Looking South to Paekakariki

A grand looking mussel shell I'm told



Heading off the beach to the Raumati South Esplanade





Colourful Beach House



Mindfulness

How often do you find yourself looking into the future and not living in the moment?

My wife has recently read about the importance of mindfulness or 'living in the moment'. I have been guilty in the past of either looking back to the past or looking to the future and not appreciating the here and now.

How often when travelling do you think about what you will do there but not enjoy the getting there?

I left Dunedin under heavy cloud in thick drizzle. On my flight I listened to John Denver on my i pod and appreciated having time to myself to enjoy the trip. Way above the clouds it was an awesome experience looking down over the fluffy pillow below and taking in the land and sea when the clouds dissipated.

I arrived to sunshine in Wellington and after a bus to the city enjoyed a pleasant train journey along the Kapiti Coast to my home in Raumati South.

I think for the future 'Mindfulness' will be my mantra where I will try and enjoy all of the journey and not just the getting to the destination. I know I have wasted too much time not being in the moment and not celebrating all of what life brings! Here is a poem / song I wrote that reflects 'living in the moment'.

Feel the Rhythm

Don't let those mean spirited get you down
There's beauty all around you...pleasures to be found
You have the power and the glory is yours
Challenges up ahead...set your course

Chorus
Feel the rhythm let your body move
Dance and be happy what's there to lose

What reason could there possibly be
To be down hearted or unhappy
When there's a great big world ready to explore
Get out there...search for more

Life is too short we all well know
Get yourself going don't be a no show
There's a break in the weather sun's peeking through
So much to see...lots to do

Living on the Kapiti Coast

Nearing the end of my final year of Teacher Training in Dunedin I applied for about 80 teaching positions. The only successful application was for an interview at a Porirua Intermediate School.

The school flew me up and I was fortunate to have an excellent interview. On arriving back in Dunedin later that day I received a call informing me I had won the position.

It was a challenging and rewarding time at the school and a complete culture shock. The roll consisted predominately of Samoan children. I loved the cutural flavour and the Powhiris welcoming visitors to the school.

After 3 years I decided to apply for teaching positions with younger children that resulted in getting offered a permanent teaching job at Waikanae School in a Year 5/6 class. The school was looking for a teacher with interest in music and thankfully I have had many opportunities to share my skills.

Since coming up north from Dunedin we had been living in Whitby. With starting at Waikanae School I found after 6 months the commuting in a car pool to be inconvenient. We decided that the Kapiti Coast could be a better place to live for a young family and happily we found a home for ourselves on the Kapiti Coast.

Raumati South became our place of choice reasonably close to the beach and the local Raumati Swimming Club down the road.

Raumati South School was within 400 metres and now the girls are at Kapiti College it is merely walking distance away.

We have found Raumati South a wonderful area to bring up the girls with it's relaxed life style and sporting opportunities.

Coming from Dunedin I appreciate the more temperate climate and living near the ocean is refreshing in the summer. Enjoying the outdoors as we do I can't imagine a better place to live a healthy contented life.

My strong bond with my new home is reflected in my song titled Kapiti.

Sunday Ride

Today my planned 100km bike ride that was reported in Friday's blog On My Mind took on a new route.

When I arrived at Coastlands at 8:00 as I do most Sundays I found that the other cyclists had decided to do a hilly ride instead. The route was to be different but the distance the same. Was quite pleased to hear that news as I love the hills and I'm strong on them.

The ride set out from Coastlands south along SH1 to Paekakariki. From there we took a left turn and commenced our steady climb up Paekakariki Hill. This is where I pulled away from the other riders and continued over the hill and down past Battle Hill to Pauatahanui. After a short stop we rode over Moonshine Hill Road to Upper Hutt.

Now to my favourite part of the route over the Akatarawas. This section of the ride involves a steady 1 hour long climb to the Summit. The Akataras have been closed to traffic for 6 months due to the bridges being worked on. I had to dismount at one point and negotiate a short detour.

Having reached the Summit in one piece I enjoyed a quick descent watching carefully blind corners passing through Reikorangi to Waikanae.

I was now nearing the end of my ride. I put in a final burst along SH1 to Raumati South feeling extremely pleased with myself and knowing that I'd had an excellent ride. On arrival the home brewed coffee tasted real good. I sat down and relaxed as I prepared for the Warrior League Finals in the NRL competition knowing the lawns and vacuuming had been done the previous day.