By the numbers
19364 steps
13.34kms
The day in New Plymouth was not that great looking
at all and I had been hoping to do some walking today though a visit to the
museum was on the plan too. I had gotten up early enough where I would be back
from my 10km walk y just after 10 am in the morning. I needed coffee and I
needed a pie so I found a coffee shop in my general direction, but they had no
pies at that time. I returned for a coffee after visiting the bakery across the
road. I was going to visit the general area around where the Taranaki Port is
located and walk back. Simple I thought it would be.
As soon as I began walking I decided to put my wet
weather gear on as I did not want a repeat of what happened in Waitangi where
everything was wet. I was following the Ocean walk and the rain was mostly
going than coming down so I was in some way lucky. I was wondering what I would
find on the walk. The first thing I came across was a drinking fountain from
1907 that had been installed for the train passengers. By the 2000s the
fountain had to be restored, which included the family who had donated it. I
wandered past a pool and onto the area where the wharf businesses were like
deep sea fishing and seal watching trips. I doubt anyone would be game to try
something like that.
I found the nodding nob or whatever they call the
oil wells that was on the foreshore. The oil well called Moturoa No 4 oil well
dedicated to the pioneers in the area to getting the oil. I had gone back after
seeing this one on my first day trip with Tom who took me for a drive showing
off the local businesses. On a nearby beach there was a monument to two kayakers
from Australia who padded here around 5 or 6 years ago. Thinking I couldn’t walk
any further I turned around to head up the hill and found a small cemetery
where a couple of early pioneers for the area were located. Deciding to wander past
the freezing works I found a settlers memorial that gave information about
different parts to local settlement and spoke about a grave of a local friendly
chief who was nearby. I was looking across the road, but his grave was actually
several metres away. He had died in 1878 and buried in that location in what
looked to be a modern grave.
At this tie I could tell the weather was changing a
bit and the wind was getting stronger so I decided it was best to go back by
following the main road. I only really knew this as I had seen the bus
timetable along the way back. I found a mission church with a memorial that was
to do with the local settlers.. I had taken my hat off at this time or else it
would have vanished in the wind. I did meet two postie trike type bikes that
were delivering and they both had trailors though I missed taking a decent
picture. They were pretty cool. By this time it felt like the wind was really
strong as I made it back to the hostel. I wanted to sit and read for 10 or so
mins before moving on. I was listening to conversations with the staff and
customers who wanted to climb the hill, which would have been bad news for
them. I had listened to Tom who said he gave the same advice and one guy tried
and came back beaten to the cafe an hour later soaked and nearly being blown
off the mountain. Scary when people want
to do that.
The rest of the day was spent in the museum and the
library though I was using the library to stay dry as they had a walk way to
the museum. I found the research library, but never stopped to look in there. I
did split the museum visit as I stopped for lunch and then I was off again. I
was happy to be inside especially watching the surf pick up from outside and
the trees sway. The museum took you though the settlement, Taranaki wars and
many parts of life in the area. I found it to be interesting and it filled in
the time too. It was well worth visiting the museum of Puke Ariki in New
Plymouth. It is a well sorted out museum and everything is easy to follow
especially when it includes gas and oil exploration including Muldoon’s mob and
a protest where the Maui facilities had an unopening ceremony though I think
others could tell you more about this.
This was my
last day in New Plymouth before I wander off to Whanganui tomorrow for the
nearing of the finish of my trip though there is still some life in the journey
so far. Looking at my boots I have found that the bottoms of one is partially
worn out nearly. They are well worn in. They are still comfy and have heaps of
life in them still. I will plan to come back here to New Plymouth as it is an
interesting place and I have left t open to explore further.
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