This poor blog has been quite neglected- but I am finally reporting here about a daytrip I made up to Taranaki some weeks back now- mainly so I can show off Mt Egmont, that wondrous volcano that dominated my childhood landscapes. (You wonder how I could walk a Camino? I became quite beguiled as a child with landscapes outdoors- who wouldn't be living under such a mountain?!)
It was a bit of a tiki-tour down memory lane. Here is the headstone of my parents, with the mountain behind. 
And here is St Joseph's Church, where I remember singing in Latin in the choir loft with my father when I was 5. Apparently the choir loft is now 'dangerous' and they are raising funds to repair it.)
Here is Arohanui posing outside my old primary school. (Arohanui was going to have a post all her own about this trip, but it seems a little bit too much time has gone by since the adventure now!)
This is a beautiful statue of Our Lady in St Joseph's Church, New Plymouth. 
And now we return to the mountain. Here is Arohanui posing in front a view near New Plymouth, just to prove she's been there, done that, doesn't need the guidebook!
And now my beautiful Mt Egmont, complete with lush fertile grass growth in front, befitting such a wet spring.
And here is a slightly closer version: yes, I was experimenting with the telephoto lens on my new camera.
Here I am at Auckland Airport. Early start from home, but got to see absolutely glorious sunrise at PN airport. Caroline gave up her first cricket-free morning to come and see me off so we had yummy hot chocolate drinks. Passed nearly over the top of Ruapehu, and saw Egmont to the left, its peak poking out but the bottom swathed in cloud. Thought of you all in Taranaki ;-) Got a wonderful view of the harbour as we came in to land, with all the mangroves in the little harbour fingers.Was going to indulge in some McD fries but the service was so slack I gave up! Now about to go through security and passport control etc. It all seems very real at this stage. Jammed in a middle seat rather than the aisle I prefer, but at least they have those little screens to keep me entertained for ten and a half hours. Last time I amused myself making up a playlist of songs off all their CD collection and before I knew it 8 and a half hours had gone!Catch you in Singapore probably! Love to everyone, Adventure starting!
OK for all you loyal readers - all two of you - who may well be getting tired of incessant photos from the Gorge and rural Manawatu - despite the fact that local walking really is my life currently!!- I bring you a diversion to New Plymouth. I stayed a couple of nights with my sister. Decided to visit the fossils exhibition at Puke Ariki, the local museum, and to walk there via the beachfront walkway. 
After some discussion, we decided the best way for me to get onto the walkway from their place was to divert a short distance down to Nobs Line. I used to flat on Nobs Line, way back, way way back, before dinosaurs were even invented, in my first year of teaching. In fact I used to live on the above featured property, just up from the sea. And my bedroom was right at the front facing out over the ocean. I used to watch the sea in all weathers, and could just go out walking on the sand, literally any time of the day or night. (However, it is true I did not live in this somewhat ugly 'mansion': the simple, rather grotty, house we lived in was removed to construct this!)
As it turned out, it seemed 'meant' that I should go via Nobs Line, straight down onto East End beach. I ended up stumbling upon this newly erected seat, in memory of the mother of an old school friend. I sat there quite peacefully, remembering her. 
Just a few people wandered along the sand from Fitzroy. 
And just a few walked on the beach towards Paritutu- part of the lip of an old volcano.
And for maalie... when he gets back from his traipsing in Italy.... here is a pohutukawa, beside the sea as it should be. 
They have done amazing things to develop the foreshore in New Plymouth, and the walkway was full of people walking. This section was a bit weird though..... the walls behind are so tall that you feel insulated from the land. It would be interesting to walk here when the sea is rougher.
There are a group of sculptors at work at present, using andesite to make their sculptures. Hard stuff this, and power tools much in evidence. Fascinating to stand by and watch their public progress.
I can't leave New Plymouth without showing you Len Lye's windwand. It is controversial and a talking point. Beside the sea, there is no doubt it is dramatic. It was quite calm as I walked this morning: it would be interesting to see what movement happened on a day with more wind. My next pictures might also be from 'far away'. I am going camping in the South Island with some friends. See you when I get back!
It was a bit of a tiki-tour down memory lane. Here is the headstone of my parents, with the mountain behind. 
And here is St Joseph's Church, where I remember singing in Latin in the choir loft with my father when I was 5. Apparently the choir loft is now 'dangerous' and they are raising funds to repair it.)
Here is Arohanui posing outside my old primary school. (Arohanui was going to have a post all her own about this trip, but it seems a little bit too much time has gone by since the adventure now!)
This is a beautiful statue of Our Lady in St Joseph's Church, New Plymouth. 
And now we return to the mountain. Here is Arohanui posing in front a view near New Plymouth, just to prove she's been there, done that, doesn't need the guidebook!
And now my beautiful Mt Egmont, complete with lush fertile grass growth in front, befitting such a wet spring.
And here is a slightly closer version: yes, I was experimenting with the telephoto lens on my new camera.
