A Beautiful Day In The Neighbourhood

With the date of our departure from these shores rapidly approaching, I suddenly feel compelled to document things that I was in danger of taking for granted. 

It has been a wonderful summer so far, mostly settled weather since early January and very little rain. Hardly any. Beautiful mornings such as today are becoming predictable but welcome. So, with the bulk of the house decorating completed, I took some time out to take in a walk around the neighbourhood. 

The walk to Ōhinerau / Mount Hobson, is one that I have been doing on a reasonably regular basis since we moved to Newmarket. Considering it’s only a short walk, albeit mostly uphill for the first part, it does reward with great views across the city, the Hauraki Gulf and out to Rangitoto. Definitely worth doing on a beautiful day such as this, so please join me on a walk around our neighbourhood…..

First things first….getting out of our street. I won’t miss this hill. Oh and it’s bin day. 

Looping back around, the path on the right drops down to Newmarket Park. Not for us today. Incidentally, Newmarket Park used to contain a football ground. It got washed away in a storm in the 1930s or thereabouts.

We’re heading into Newmarket Park (no a different one). I love this house on the right hand side. They seem to have fixed an old carriage to the top of their property. 

The streets around here are beautiful, especially when the sun is shining…..

….but a lot of the

Houses appear to be empty. Probably Air BnBs.

As we start to climb, we can look back and see our house. Fourth from the left. See it?

Ōhinerau (pronounced O-hee-ne-row)

Starting the climb. It’s not far to the top but I like to complain!

Once the trees are cleared, the view to Tamaki Makaurau opens up.

Nearly at the trig point at the top. 

It’s all downhill from here….

Cute cottages - look amazing today but bloody freezing in winter though. No insulation and limited heating. Basically expensive garden sheds!

Considering we are only a 30 minute walk from the city centre, it is very green. In fact Auckland is a very green looking city. 

Back home. Time to put my feet up with a cup of tea and a biscuit before getting back to the decorating.