Never be afraid to explore the unknown,travel roads less traveled and visit the side streets of the well known. You will never know what you will find.
Hidden away along Victoria Street overlooking Wellington’s Tourist Office on Wakefield Street is a sculpture by Terry Stringer and was completed in 1986.
A little of the beaten track for most visitors to Wellington it can easily be missed which is a shame.
It was completed in 1986 as as been at the same location since then.
Paddy the Wanderer is a interesting tale from Wellington. Paddy was a Terrier (Airedale)who during the Great Depression (1930’s) would wander the streets of Wellington.
Many people became friends of Paddy and was well known for greeting sailors as they arrived or departed from Wellington.
On many occasions Paddy would make his way onto a Steamer that would work its way round the coast of New Zealand.
Paddy had also crossed “The Ditch” to Australia on a number occasions. It is also report that he also made his way to San Francisco.
Paddy was given the title of Assistant Night Watchman by the Wellington Harbour Board. The job was to keep undesirables out as well as rodents.
On 17th July 1939 he died after a cold period. His funeral included 12 taxis and at least 1 traffic officer. It is said that funeral brought Wellington to a standstill.
There is a sad aspect to the story. Paddy had been given to the daughter of R Gardner, it was after her Daughter died 11 years later, that Paddy ran away.
A memorial Drinking Fountain including a dog drinking bowl is located out the Museum of Fine Arts. It is located near the TSB arena and opposite Post Office Square.
Also a plaque is located the near by with all the story.
The fountain was made in 1947 and was made from pieces of stone from the then bombed Waterloo Bridge, London.
Three biographies have been written about Paddy over the years. and 1 book called Paddy The Wanderer based on Paddy written by Dianne Haworth. It was published on 1997 by Harper Collins.
James/ Windy Hill Flying Club
The designs on the bridge were designed by the famous Maori Artist Paratene Matchitt.
At about 9k (between Taita and Pomare) is a good section that is suitable for swimming.
To you left if heading towards Siverstream you will see the hills of The Belmont Regional Park, a stunning Park affording some great views with peace and quiet.
Day 2: Silverstream to Birchville. The scenery changes from the flat area on day 1 to feeling that you are being closed in by the hills on either side. I found this section more enjoyable to walk with more interest around and the changes of the river from as it comes down from the hills to the flatter and wider area.
The track is approx 28Km to Birchville,with Silverstream is approx 13.5km
There are some very good maps all along the track showing where you with distances and places behind and in front of you.
There are toilets along the walk.
Also there is wheelchair access and the route is pram and bike friendly.
Dogs are allowed and must be under control or on a lead.
Please be considerate to other uses.
Remove litter.
Note no trail bikes,quads and trikes allowed on any part of the track.
Thank you to @thebay on Twitter. Over 500000 people use the trail each year. Just goes to show how popular it is.
Good maps can be picked up from Wellington I-Sites and at Upper Hutt Visitor Centre:
For Map and Information click on link below:
Hutt River Trail Wellington Council
Getting there and back click on link below:
At the top of the track there is a lookout with some great views straight across to Seatoun and Somes Island.
Take a breather before deciding where you want to head to. There are 2 tracks that take you back down to Eastbourne Village. The 2 tracks are Murital Park Track or Mackenzie Track.
The final track options gives you 3 choices, Ferry Road Track, Kaitawa Track or head up to Lowry Trig above Wainuiomata where there are other track options,
Metlink Bus Timetable. Also covers train timetables as well.
Orginally Posted 4th July 2012
James/ Windy Hill Flying Club
The Dune Trust (NZ) is a nationwide organisation that brings together a wealth of experience on the management of Dunes within New Zealand.
The experience that is gained will help to improve the Dunes around NZ. This will help to maintain and then improve the Eco System that thrives in these areas.
The trust will be down at Lyall Bay on 31st July near the airport end of the bay at 3.30pm where they will spend time planting a area of the Dunes.
This planting has been ongoing with help from The Lyall Bay Coast Care and Wellington Council.
Dunetrust NZ Main Web page. You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.
Lyall Bay Dune Planting July 2012
Lyall Bay Coast Care Facebook. Has Updates on what the group does.
These changes have been ongoing for a number of years and will continue to improve with the help of local communities, where many people give up their time to ensure that no further losses occur.
Even today many dunes still remain under threat from development, vehicles,people and non native plants.
There is approx 1100km of Dunes around NZ with many people leaving a drive from these areas.
Take a look at the Dunes Web page to see if there is anything you can do and also if there are any local groups that you can join or even setting one up yourself.
james/ Windy Hill Flying Club
Tucked away along Kingsford Smith Street is The Coolest Little Op Shop (well 2 containers) is the Cat Protection League.For almost a year until today (29/07/2012) it has been on a small plot of land next to Centennial Cafe and has been trading out of 2 small shipping containers.
Its opening hours has been 10am to 4pm on a Saturday and Sunday,selling a range of items including books, clothing and small house hold items amongst other items.
As the land has been sold and the new owners wish to develop the land for other things, they have no choice but to close and or move.
Well the good news is that they are moving a few metres up the road to the building that overlooks the beach at Lyall Bay.
They will be located in a room on the ground floor. The building can not be missed as it also houses Real Surf,Surf Shop.
There will no need to worry about the weather as the building is weather proof, it has a toilet,a heater and more room to find that item you never knew you needed.Also there is still plenty of parking, you can still get a coffee and then head to the beach for a stroll.
It will reopen on 11th August.So check it out and give it your support. There is no need to worry about the weather.
Give it a look.
Cat Protection League, Wellington
James/ Windy Hill Flying Club.
I came across the following to Sculptures after exploring areas of Wellington that i have not seen for a while.
It highlights what the Capital has to offer that sometimes can be missed by people going through their everyday life or the tourist that spends only a short time in Wellington, but does not get the chance to explore what this great city has to offer.
The 1st one is located by Rugby NZ Office’s in the Centre Port Area. It can be reached on foot by walking from town following the route used by the cruise line passengers.
It is about 5 minutes from the new BNZ Building and is located by the footbridge that heads over the road to the main WestPac Stadium Walkway.
It was designed by Cipre Stephane a French Sculpture. The theme is of 2 rugby players who are against the wall of words that depict what rugby (and sport is against).
WildBay 