Another day, another walk

Since our Lockdown began in earnest, nearly 5 weeks ago now, I have made sure to go 

for a walk every single day, even if the weather's blustery or damp.

I take my dog and off we go, for about an hour and a half's brisk outing. 

Manu is getting old now - he's 15 - but he still loves his walk, and 

keeps up with me the whole time. 

Today we came across some more lovely autumn colours at this park, 

about half an hour from home. 

The playground is closed off with safety tape; there are no "toy" sailing boats 

being manoeuvered  around the lake by the group of seniors who are usually here; 

even the public toilets are locked. 

But there are still ducks and geese enjoying the peace and quiet, and 

occasional dogs walking their owners.

 I like the way these fungi look, especially when they first pop up, 

but I'm not at all tempted to pick them.

 

 

Please click on the pics to embiggen them - they look better!

Sunday walk

In the very centre of the town I live in there is an opencast gold mine, named Martha Mine

after the hill which used to be there. On Sunday, a misty, windless morning, I walked 

part of the walkway which goes right around the rim, about 4 kilometres in length. 

About a year ago there was a collapse on one side of the pit, as you can see below.

When we first moved here, in 1984, the intention was to fill the pit with water 

in the near future, and landscape around it, so that the town would have a 

 lake on which people could sail, row, and generally enjoy themselves.

At that stage, gold-bearing rock was still being taken from the bottom of the pit.

However, once the pit was more or less out of gold, the mine's owners turned to 

exploring underneath it, re-opening some of the old shafts which had been closed, and 

finding there remained good pickings to be had. 

We still don't have a lake...

This Saturday is Anzac Day, an important day in the lives of New Zealanders and 

Australians, as we remember the brave men who died fighting at Gallipoli in Turkey 

in 1915, and all of our soldiers who have died fighting in foreign wars, in foreign lands. 

Along part of the safety fence around the pit rim stretch a number of poppies, 

each bearing the name of a loved uncle, father, grandfather or friend.

We shall remember them.

This morning's walk

A walk in the park...

This morning Manu and I walked through town to Gilmour Lake. It was quite warm for the time of year, as we are well and truly into Autumn now, with snowfalls being recorded in the South Island. I'm glad I went when I did, as it is absolutely pouring with rain now.