By the numbers
16.26kms
23,593 steps
I think I am annoying people when I get up early enough to
use the loo as I got a death stare from a red haired girl in the bed near the
door when I walk in. Though I should feel sorry for the guy who has my smelly
shoes right underneath his head. Thats where the steps are so I put them there
to make sure they are alright and so I can have easy access. I wasn’t sure if
the weather was going to be good or not when I got up. When I looked out there
was a bit of cloud, which meant that the weather could be cool and maybe wet. I
knew I shouldn’t take chances and wear a jumper as well to keep warm.
My plan was to visit the university library as I had some
books to look at that could interest me. Then make my way to Newmarket and
Parnell for the roses. I walked to the library collecting a Subway along the
way to eat with a coffee. I had sparrows stalking me wanting to take food out
from my watchful eye, although I seen where they had been lurking. Lurking
right in the garbage bin looking for scraps. I had some time to read my book
before going over to wait for the doors to open. I did not want to be the only
one waiting. I should realise that this is a university as people were
gathering outside waiting for the doors to open. I wandered in to look at the
books and found a few that I already had on me and going through the sources of
one book, I found I had those already. I think I have realised that I had a
good list already. Maybe better than several libraries. I was happy so I left
the library heading to the Grafton train station as a marker to head towards
Newmarket. I was using it on Sunday to get the train as its closer than
Britomart, plus they are working on the rail lines here this weekend so I
cannot go on certain lines not stop at Britomart.
I walked to the other side of the Auckland domain, which
houses the museum, where people in large numbers are playing several games of
cricket. Then I followed the streets down to where the town of Newmarket was as
I wanted to visit Highwic house as it is a historic house. I came across a
cannon that had been on the North Head during the 1880 Russian Scare when
people thought Russia was going to invade. It was now in a park behind the war
memorial. I took a turn to have a look at the train station as I knew this was
the stop I might need to use it later and I was surprised that it was in
amongst some shops. The area had been sale yards in the early days, but I never
seen any info about this at all. I might not have been in the right place. I didn’t
know where I had to enter Highwic House, but I found myself in front of a
shopping centre. I visited that as I needed some relief before going the extra
walk to the house.
I walked into the entrance of Highwic expecting to pay $10
for the visit and found this weekend is their open weekend for Christmas. I was
asked where I had heard about this open day and I replied that I had not as I
had planned to visit anyway. There were dancers out the front and I had a look
through their garden as they said they were trying to make it organic and have
bees there to make it sustainable. The house was built in 1862 for Alfred Buckland
who with his two wives had 21 kids all up. There were meant to be some stunning
views of the harbour. The shop front in the house was packed with people and I
could hardly move. Wandering the house itself was interesting especially with
the different rooms and chamber pots. Alfred was well off especially with his business.
Each room had a story to tell and there was a little museum that gave the
history of Auckland for the family and their role. The house did have a link
with the New Zealand Wars as the owner sold horses to the soldiers. The house
would have been warm with all the windows.
After a little while at Highwic and a couple of things
bought for my nephew for Christmas, I headed for Government house to see if
they had an open day today too. I stopped for some lunch and then headed on the
way. I ended up at the crossroads with one of the roads being the start of the
Great South Road. Number 1 Great South Road was a Ferrari shop. How do I know
that? I stopped as they were having a show and shine type day with the Ferrari
club. Some decent cameras there being used. I headed down another street
towards Mt Eden and Government house. I soon found it was not open and you couldnt
see it because of all the trees around the fences. I came to some steps that went
up and shook my head as I wasn’t wanting to climb up them to see the summit of
that hill. Turning around I walked back into Newmarket where I thought I should
walk towards Parnell. It was trying to rain and I didn’t want to get caught in
anything that resembled rain. I needed to get back anyway as I had washing that
needed to be done.
I jumped onto a bus that was going through to Parnell and
never actually got off there as I couldnt remember where the rose garden
actually was. I stayed on the bus until I ended up at the university, where I
jumped off. I wasn’t far from the hostel where i had an early shower and put
the washing on. During this time I found it had actually started raining and I
had made the right decision in coming back. Plus you never know if the machines
are in use or not. I was informed when i got change that people put the washing
in the top machines, but they were the dryers. Deciding I had enough time to
walk down to the shops to see a movie, I went to see if I did have time. It
never took very long and I had 15 mins before going in. By the time I had
gotten out it had actually been raining and was drizzling, but I got to the
hostel without getting too wet.
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