Autumn in Wellington

Autumn in Wellington appears to be dragging on a bit. We've had three weeks of almost continuous unstettled weather (though a few sunny days mid week as always). We spent a few weekends ticking off some more mountain bike trails in the area and repeat visits to the bouldering areas of Bearing Head and Turakirae Head. Holiday weekend coming up and although the forecast doesn't look great, we're looking forward to heading off somewhere on the North Island. The good news is that the volcanoes have had lots of snow, much earlier in the season than normal, so we'll even get to go skiing soon (we've already brought our early bird season passes for Whakapapa and Turino on Mount Ruapehu!

Another bit of good news is that Tim's got a job! Working two days a week at an outdoor shop in town so still keeping going on the the paper rounds and delivering the catalogues on the other days. Three jobs at once!

Rimutaka Incline track following an old railway line through the hills from Upper Hutt to the Wairarapa

Remnants of the railway infront of the regenerating bush-clad hills. The bush wasn't extensively logged here but sparks from the railway caused many damaging fires.

Helen pushing (although it doesn't look it) a very, very steep bit.

After Tim nearly wipes out negotiating the ford, Helen goes for the stepping stone method.

The boulders Turakirae Head looking east across Palliser Bay to Cape Palliser, the most southerly point of the North Island.

Looking west past Bearing Head to Hawkins Hill (See Easter Weekend mountain bike trip) on the other side of the entrance to Wellington Harbour.

Helen sit starting at Turakirae Head

Look out from the top of Wainuiomata Hill over Wellington Harbour. Petone shoreline in the foreground, Sommes Island in the middle and our house right bang in the middle of the picture, half way up the hill on the other side (City Centre tucked behind Sommes Island).