The afternoon saw a different sort of walking. The goal was the summit of Botanical Hill, reputedly the geographical centre of New Zealand since John Spence Browning did a geodetic survey of the area in the 1870s.
The hill rises to an altitude of only 147 metres above sea level, but since the climb is from only a handful of metres at the bottom and the gradient is pretty steep in places, it presented a challenge to this unfit pensioner! I made it to the top though, gasping for breath, and was rewarded with some wonderful views.
On the way I was also blessed by seeing a yellow hammer. Various friends and family at home have seen these lovely birds in their gardens, but not me, so this was a special climb.
And is Botanical Hill the centre of New Zealand? No, it’s apparently in the Spooners Range, about thirty or so kilometres south west of here.
Jean
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