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I'm walking 42 km in loving memory of my cousin, John.

My Progress

I'm walking 42 km for Kiwi hearts this May.

I've raised

$380

I've moved

43KM

My Target

42KM

Gorgeous Day for a walk

I went to a Healthy Lifestyle Seminar at Masterton Medical today. It seemed appropriate to walk there....an even 4 ks in the sun. This challenge finishes on the the 31st...nearly there with my ks. This challenge has been great for the incentive to get out and walk a few times a week. You might want to give it a go next year. If you would like to make a donation to help me get to the amount I raised last time I'd really appreciate it. Thank you.

Twilight

Last night as I walked down the street I heard a beautiful song. So enchanting it made me stop and look to my left. There stood a Phoenix Palm; a silhouette of trunk topped by symmetrical fronds. Twilight when all the birds snuggle into the welcome of the palm. Twilight when the last night visitor has settled into the darkness: unable to see and when they need protection. Twilight when the clarity of day leaves and the clarity of night returns. As they settle the birds know they are safe and warm in those strong palm structures and so they gift their song of gratitude and love to the palm. In last night's twilight I heard the palm sing: clear, with trills and runs, harmonies and pauses; magnificent rivers of song filling the street. Not a bird to be seen.

It reminded me of how we all depend upon each other, how we are gifts, each to the other and how our interactions transform us. Standing in the street I felt full of a liquid musical love.

I heard the palm sing.

A street walk this morning

The dogs were happy to be out earlier today for a walk. All the smells were heightened from the over-night rain. So much to sniff, so many things to explore, so many excuses to stop and ferret around in leaves and undergrowth.

Since we last walked this particular path the subdivision at the end of the street has continued to expand. I was shocked to see a small ditch which used to fill with water and supported insects in a small urban oasis, has been filled in. It is now a muddy surface waiting to be either landscaped or have a lawn spread on it. This is on the opposite side of the road from the subdivision: I thought begrudgingly that those who buy the house would find the unruly, weedy patch an eye-sore. A few yards on we came to the wonderful wetland the subdivision has created on a large corner. Early on in the subdivision development this was established. After about a years growth it has begun to flourish and take form. At night I hear frogs and crickets calling from there. I decided to stop feeling grumpy that things have changed - no more farm to watch at the end of my street - and instead to enjoy this wonderful allocation to nature within the subdivision. Hopefully the drainage pipes may help stop the muddy mess that my friend's property becomes in rain since the subdivision was begun.

The benefits of a walk! My mind calms. Have a great day everyone.

Pigeons warm in the late afternoon.

Just as the sun changed it's angle to start to go behind the Taraua's, the dogs and I walked along the river bank. Flocks of pigeons flew in towards the concrete quarry building across the river. They looked like a shower of arrowheads flung into the sky. Arrowheads in motion, that rose and rounded, fell together in a flurry of movement and motion. Then with a twist of all their united bodies they would flip, their white underwings would flash like a metallic reflection and then they would climb united into the sky again.

Eventually they came to rest on top of the rectangular box of the concrete quarry building. It had a cut in it's side that looked like a dark mouth and the early evening sun made the cream of the sides glow a warm Tuscan yellow. Meanwhile, more flocks of birds flew in: black arrowheads and flashing reflective white.

The top of the building seemed to be covered in bird bundles and I could see the movement of shapes as some of them found roosts inside the building.

As I walked away I was wondering why they were all on that building until I remembered how cold it was last night. They were cleverly settling down while the building was still warm from the sun. I realized all those bodies huddled together on the roof would have the bonus of the slow release of warmth through the night. It was an entrancing sight, so simple and yet magnificent in how their united numbers help them all keep warm together through the night.

A bit late out, but just in time.

All afternoon I watched the sky changing colours, saw the bank of cloud that snagged on the Tararua Ranges and watched as the afternoon sunshine was hidden as the sky turned grey. I called to drop something into a friend's home with the intention of quickly moving on and getting the dog's out on a walk. Too much good stuff to share so I didn't get home until after dark. There was dampness in the air, darkness seemed to make windows glow with bright yellows and create interesting shadows when light bounced off buildings and made strong shapes. We moved fast tonight. It was really only when we were near our gate that the rain began to fall. Big heavy drops that felt like a settling in. Now, three hours later it sounds as if the rain has stopped. The air feels colder. Time for bed.

Sleep well everyone.

Coffee time!

Thanks to my lovely friend who decided to to donate the cost of the second coffee we were going to share today. Every little bit helps. Thanks.

Support my challenge to save Kiwi hearts

This May, I’m taking part in MyMarathon to raise funds for heart research that will help save lives.

I've done this before but it is made more relevant with the loss to heart disease, of my cousin John a year older than me.

Every 90 minutes, a person dies of heart disease. It's the single biggest killer in New Zealand, and I want to do something to support the thousands of Kiwis whose lives are impacted by this disease every single day.

Please make a donation to support my challenge and help save Kiwi hearts.

Together, we can win the race against heart disease.

Thank you!