(17th August 2021)
This COVID lockdown has been so different for me to my last one. I had been working part time as the Telehealth Coordinator at the Waikato District Health Board (Hamilton NZ). With the arrival of COVID my hours were quickly increased to full time. We were frantically trying to support health professionals, working from home, to continue seeing their patients using technology. Working from home was foreign to those of us in NZ so there were problems with connectivity, learning technology etiquette and booking appointments on line. An exciting but very tiring time.
This time is so different. I have the luxury of living at a slower pace. Home looking shiny, gardens manicured within an inch of their lives, new activities trialed such as making a pizza from beginning to end and learning how to video and edit on my phone (first attempts not too successful but can only get better) and the most enjoyable part ,walking each day and having the time to enjoy the beauty of nature. There are three favorite walks from which I can choose, all about an hour and half in length. They are a treat I give myself each day.
Waikato River Bank
I so love walking this particular section of the river bank. As I leave my home, the track I take is well formed and runs through large expanses of grass, edged on the rive side by regenerating bush. Popping up through the grass at this time of year are randomly sown daffodils- often clustered together, reminding me of the poem by Wordsworth”. “A host golden daffodils… fluttering and dancing in the breeze.” This golden sheet brightens up the dullest of days.
Daffodils enjoying the sunshine
Over one of the bridges, down the concrete steps and onto the Eastern side of the river. In early spring, the kowhai which are prolific, edging the bank, really lift my heart. I love the golden carpet they form when they drop to the ground.
The beautiful flowers of the kowhai.
However, by this stage my step speed has increased. Just along past the playground, which sadly has no children’s laughter because of COVID, is Hayes Common cafe where my flat white awaits me!!! Makes all the walking worth while. Staff are always bright and chatty…..happy to see their customers and share the news of the day. Coffee MUST be consumed sitting down. None of this sipping as you walk along. I usually sit by the apricot colored door as I write in my “jobs to be done” book. I enjoy the aroma of my coffee as it is placed in front of me, all the while looking forward to that first slightly burnt, slightly acidic flavor hitting my taste buds.
Far too soon my special time has passed and I now need to finish my walk. This too, is pretty, under a mixture of overarching natives trees, which provide welcome shade in heat of the summer.
Over the second bridge, passed frequently by cars, bikes and buses busily racing in both directions. I reflect on how lucky I am to have this special time to enjoy the beauty which nature offers.
Hamilton Gardens
The second walk in my portfolio of favorites is the world renown Hamilton Gardens https://www.hamiltongardens.co.nz
Again I walk down the Hamilton side of the river, cross the same bridge as before but then walk straight ahead. The path meanders through well maintained gardens with the occasional glimpse of the river. I come to the Rogers Rose gardens – a collection of amazing roses demonstrating the history and development of the rose from species to the latest modern cultivars.
A welcome coffee at the cafe and then to the Gardens
The development of this 54 hectare garden/park, started in the 1980s. As well as having wide expanses of lawns, it also has an amazing selection of gardens which takes in : the Paradise Collection, which includes the Japanese garden of contemplation, and the the Italian renaissance garden . The Productive collection includes Te Parapara Garden and the Sustainable backyard. The last of this collection is the Fantasy gardens, which includes the Surrealist gardens and Katherine Mansfield Garden. Unfortunately during lockdown these are not accessible so I just go to the gates and enjoy the tranquility of the punga edged, gently flowing stream.
Lake Rotoroa
Lake Rotoroa is the third on the list of favorites.. This walk starts with a VERY steep hill. Only about three minutes to climb but I am always left puffing by the time I stagger to the top. Wondering why it never gets any easier. Promising myself that ONE day I will virtually run up it. (Mhh. Dreams are free)
The lake is about 4 kms in circumference and takes me about 30-40 mins to walk around. Each time there is something different to enjoy. A new bud. Tiny baby ducklings. Depending on the time of day, different reflections across the water. Never really busy but always people enjoying it. Little children feeding the ducks or riding their bikes with a carefree, holiday purpose.
The lake has a surface area of about 54 hectares and an average depth of 2.4 meters. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Rotoroa_(Hamilton,_New_Zealand)
Regardless of weather, it makes me feel free. Having the wind and rain on my face is invigorating and refreshing. The sun makes my body feel alive. Both experiences make me feel very lucky to be able to enjoy this magical place.
I have enjoyed sharing my three walks with you. Writing about them has brought all the memories back and the peacefulness which they provided. They kept me happy and motivated in this unusual time of lockdown, providing the energy which allowed me the excitement of pursuing other new activities.
Lockdown is now mainly over for me but I still treasure that few weeks which allowed me to slow down and “smell the roses”
