Be gentle Annie

Good day to you. Here in the land of the long white cloud it is Sunday afternoon and there are many long (grey) clouds to be seen. Myself and Nicole had decided on a walk this weekend and luckily we decided to head out yesterday despite the forecast saying today would be better. So set off we did under blue skies out along Highway 2, past the Hutt, past Kaitoke,

up over the Rimutakas and down into Wairarapa wine country (behind me).

We stopped for some ice cream in Greytown where I chose a delicious boysenberry flavour. Here I am in Stella Bull Park amongst the autumnal leaves.

We carried on up the highway and then took the turn off for Mt Holdsworth which led to the start of the Gentle Annie track. We didn't actually arrive there until 3 which left us limited time to walk but the decision was made just to go as far along the track as possible and hopefully get to see some views. After about 50 mins of walking up the (not so gentle) track we - especially I - were starting to get concerned about making it back down in the light so we asked some returning trampers how far it was to any sort of view. We were told that it was about the same distance again so if we carried on for 20 minutes and didn't get to it then they recommended turning back. So onwards we marched and after further discussion decided to keep going until half 4 giving us an hour to get back in the light. It was starting to look doubtful, but Nicole was determined and eventually a break in the trees came and we reached the lookout. I must say I'm glad we did as I would have been very disappointed to walk all that way up hill and see nothing. Here below are a couple of shots of the view.

And a last shot of the successful explorers.

In the end it only took us 30 minutes to get back down again so we made it in the light and even sauntered the last bit taking in the scents of the forest. I can't describe the sensation of taking a deep breath in the forest here. It's magical. Anyhoo, enough of that. Here endeth this post. I shall now go and put some more wood on the fire and watch some Glee or perhaps continue Nicole's education into Dr Who.