Thursday, March 7: Warm and sunny with a couple of clouds
Walking: 10.2 km
Dave’s/Brennagh’s
The photos were on the line this morning, what with trying to get the computer to accept the SD card (Microsoft, what do you do for a living?) and copying them first to the folder “Backup” on the local hard disk and then, somewhat organised to folders on the external drive. This should all be better organised & rationalised. Timelapse sequences could be recognised and taken to different locations, the remaining DNG/JPG pairs automatically renumbered. Shouldn’t be that hard to do (!?!).
In the meantime with the outside tap localised, boots and pack could be washed out (although there was no hose that would have connected to the tap) and left hung up on the clothesline in an attempt to dry.
I had bought some ham last night on the way back from the pub and had two slices on toast with breakfast this morning. After a bit of a search for smaller screw top plastic jars I went to the supermarket for a baguette and a peach, and had both of those with a couple more ham slices. There is still enough for tomorrow.
With the day unfolding nicely I took the camera, filter & tripod for a walk to Virginia Lake, and then around it. On the way saw a freight train which had been tooting its way through town. Virginia Lake is quite a pleasant spot and the housing on the adjacent hill crest is in a corresponding price class. At the end of the walk there was also the Winter Garden to be visited, with its begonias and artworks, and then the parrot/ornamental bird enclosure, which was a little sad.
I took a route through some native forest on the way back and was humming and hawing about where to order fish’n’chips tonight when I realised I had enough time to take the Durie Hill Elevator ($2) and see what could be seen of the sights. Very long tunnel (which I later shot), and the elevator is indeed operated by an operator, the first I had seen for half a century (possibly the last time in Myers, “First floor – ladies’ underwear”), and I said as much to her.
The tower at the top is open all the time, unless someone puts a chain across the entrance; in any case it should be easy to get up there for an extended sunset if necessary.
Slide Show
Click on the image to stop/start the animation
On the way down (I walked) I decided for George’s Fisheries (40 Victoria Ave) for the fish’n’chips because they seemed rather popular. I had whatever fish it was and half a scoop of chips for $5.5; it was wrapped in one layer of genuine newsprint, with two layers of plain stuff, one above and one below. This was put on a plate and reheated in the microwave here; and I found some vinegar and pepper to put on it as well, and it was a sufficient meal.
All the while the pack had become very dry but the boots still had a bit of moisture in them. The frame on the pack seems to be breaking through its harness at the top, and one of the boot soles has been worn through at one point.
Weather is not looking good for the Around the Mountain Circuit, especially the last two days. Will have to spend some time at the weekend on trip planning for Taupo, Rotorua, and then perhaps the Coromandel.
