mrsjono

Wandered around in a huge pine forest before my evening shift. I stayed on the main roads as I was worried I might get lost and human traffic in the forest appeared sparse. The paths inside the forest were quite well marked and all I had to do was to find the next marker and I know I should be right. The trees were damn tall and straight.

It's my off day again and I decided to check out the Lincoln Farmers Market, situated in a remnant piece of L-shape land tucked in between a pharmacy and residential dwellings. Excellent use of open space and a great opportunity for the community to get together. It's a small and vibrant market with good country music, local produce and food. There was a scarecrow competition today and everyone was invited to vote for their favourite scarecrow.

Results were announced at 12 noon and guess who won? Recycle Girl came in third in the children category, Sally (first row second from left) won the adults category and the black cat with pink coat (first row first from right) won the people's choice category. Prizes were sponsored by local shops. The organising committee donated a gift hamper to the main sponsor who initially wanted to donate it and later agreed to auction it. A man won a lucky draw (the prize was a big cookie) participated in the auction and also won the auction with the last bid of $50. The main sponsor donated his $50 to a local primary school. Love the way this community supports each other.

Sumner was the starting point for today's walk to find out what Taylor's mistake was. The Flowers Track was closed due to the earthquake so we cut through Nicholson Park and then found ourselves walking along the coast to Taylors Mistake. Turns out that it's a beach and a few maritime incidents in the past have led to this interesting place name.

It took 4.5 hours return. This was the furthest we went as I had to go back for the evening shift at TPT.

I left the house at 9am and reached Halswell Quarry Park at around 10am. The quarry was used to build many of the city’s prominent buildings such as the Canterbury Museum. After its use had passed, the Council restored it as a recreational reserve for public enjoyment.

There are many easy short walks through the sister city areas and wetland ponds.


Halswell Quarry


I was blown away more by the Southern Alps stretching across the horizon than the strong winds.


The Southern Alps lie along the boundary between the Australian and Pacific plate. These plates grind past each other, causing earthquakes and pushing up the mountains that form the Alps. It looks like Mother Nature had drawn a faint white line across the sky.





Tussock swaying gently in the wind felt like a prelude to the Southland tracks


Hoon Hay Valley


Broom in full bloom




I asked for directions back to town and followed a group of Korean ladies at Wolyster Road to Sign of the Kiwi.


The familiar sight of the volcanic landscape meant I should be close to the main road.

A cyclist saw me trying to catch a ride while walking along the main road and advised me it's safer to try at the carpark. I stood at the carpark for about 5 mins and a man with ponytail came out of a silver van and offered to give me a ride down. I hopped in and thanked the family of four who dropped me at the roundabout near a bus stop. I caught the bus back, happy I managed to make it back and covered more than what I initially planned to do today.

After yum cha with Michelle and Prof Wong at North South Gourmet, they took us to Cashmere Hill, Governors Bay, Sign of the Bellbird and Gibraltar Rock. We were thankful for the chance to see such scenic views of the city which we won't be able to do so without a car. They even took me back two months later for the night view. I stayed with them for a week after RS went back home for a month. Six months flew past just like that - what next?