auchmeddan

We went out on Anzac Day for a walk along a trail on the East Coast of Wellington, past Eastbourne. Our walk turned into a 4+ hour hike, and we got high enough up to appreciate some of the scenery and view back towards Wellington. We were lucky as we had almost perfect weather all day, and it was nice to get away from the City and suburbs for an afternoon.

On the way back we realised we were being watched from the Hills beside the trail, and eventually we looked up and saw around a dozen or so goats. I have to be honest - goats scare me a little. I think it’s because they look like Satan’s minions, vomited from the dark maw of hell onto the earth. It must be the eyes.

Anyway, Jules decided to “Baa” at them and giggled as they stopped what they were doing to stare at us- which didn’t amuse me much. “Would you bark at a pack of wild dogs?” I asked. I urged Jules to “not stare at them” and “keep walking” as I reminded her about her experience in Queenstown being surrounded by hungry goats. I remember them surrounding the car afterwards and looking out of my side window right into an evil eye staring back at me. I still clearly remember it snorting steam against the glass - not unlike a tiny version of the T-Rex from Jurassic Park!

Happily, the goats didn’t stampede us and some photos from our day out are posted below.

We went out for a hike today in the Rimutaka Forest Park. We chose the Orongorongo Track (which we’re still not sure how to pronounce) and had an enjoyable few hours hiking to the Orongorongo river and back. Being NZ in summer, the weather changed a little on the way. I set out wearing trousers, long sleeves and a baseball cap and ended up in a Fleece and Wooly hat by the time we got to the river. On the way back the weather warmed up again and it was back to normal again.

I had a look for the trail start on Google Earth and was surprised by how out of date the photo was. The trees around the car park are definately thinner now, and the start of the Orongorongo trail should be visible.

There are a few more trails for us to explore there, so I imagine we’ll be back at the park soon.

(UPDATE: Per the good people in Jules office Orongorongo is prounounced “oh-wrong-oh-wrong-ah”)