Wednesday Walkers
Starting from the Two Mile Bay boat ramp, we set out along the side of Lake Taupō heading south. It had rained during the early morning hours and the dewy freshness of the shore after the downpour was just stunning as we passed under blossom-filled trees beside the gardens where large trees filled with new yellow-green leaves towered over us. There was very little mist in the air and this meant that across the lake, Acacia Bay and the hills behind were picked out in sharp focus in the morning sunshine.
On the lake itself, it was great to see the little cruiser Earnest Kemp back touring again after being laid up during the winter months. The sight of this boat has been part of the Taupō scene for several decades, as has the ever-present towed parachute ride which seems to be always gliding above the waves.
Cutting inland, we passed through Rainbow Point and down toward the new developments that are filling up the land on the other side of Lake Terrace.
After going through the tunnel under the main road, we wound through the newly founded streets past the recently completed buildings, all of which have an individual character while sharing the up-to-date architecture of our time.
Passing back through another tunnel, we ventured through the lanes of Wharewaka, climbing up and down the surprisingly steep hills in this area. There are many pathways and expanses of open land to choose from to lengthen our walk to fill the required time. By the time we regained our starting point we had walked about
11,000 steps, according to one of our trusty cell phones. It was a delightful stroll on an idyllic day in the fullness of a Taupo spring. Wednesday Walkers’ contact number is 07 377 3065.