Slip, slap slop was certainly the order of the day; “are you drinking heaps?” the constant mantra. Not only was it hot, but perhaps unusually for Wellington, it was also humid as 7 of us gathered outside the railway station and gradually zigzagged our way along the 12 kms of the City to Sea Walkway, ending at Island Bay. May 16-18 – Kaweka FP As newcomers to New Zealand and Wellington, this seemed to be a great way of learning more about the area, piecing together the bits we’d started to get to know, and so it proved to be.
Starting at Bolton Street Memorial Park, ancient and modern were quickly apparent as we passed the site of many of the re-sited graves to make way for the motorway. We discussed the thought-provoking sculptures in the Botanic Gardens and stopped for a few minutes at the Peace Flame garden. The Sundial of Human Involvement showed the correct time as we gratefully reached more level ground and admired the view of the harbour from the top of the cable car incline.
From here the walk took in another old cemetery and linked together parks, sports-fields and bush – were we really so close to the centre of the capital city? One of the most interesting views was from Boyd Wilson Field as the eye took in Vivian Street down into the valley and continued up Pirie Street and up to the top of the town belt in one continuous parallel line. Central Park offered some welcome shade where Ray pointed out nikau palms and the difference between mamaku and silver leaf tree ferns. The meths drinkers near the entrance to the park prompted us to carry on uphill before stopping for a leisurely lunch in the shade.
More up and down took us above Mount Cook, Newtown and Berhampore as we melted in the afternoon heat, stopping for a chat on the way with another WTMC member and his family. The steepest part of the walk came next, ending at the dizzy height of about 180 metres – the highest point of the day. The 360 degree views from the stone powhenua just beyond the Tawatawa trig point were extensive, from the Tararuas in the North, across the Cook Strait to the Kaikouras in the south. Downhill all the way at last, well almost – we just had to hop over the ridge between Owhiro Bay and Island Bay. By this time water bottles were being refilled from unsuspecting owners of garden taps close to the road.
Finally we flopped into the nearest dairy for more thirst quenchers and cooling ice-creams as we waited for the bus to take us back to the railway station. An excellent walk – any hotter and it would have had to be graded Medium!
Many thanks to Ruth for keeping us all on track and to everyone for great company.