Why did you wear red?

August 30, 2022

Mom's been enjoying the frittata's at the Wairapapa's (the region that we are in) cafes so much, that I decided to make one myself.  (Look, Max! I used the block of cheese that you left!).  We ate that for breakfast AND lunch! I usually bake my frittata but cooked this one on the stovetop. 

We met our neighbors, Ross and Owen, this morning on a short walk. They showed us their vineyard. The vines have been pruned and they should start showing up green in December (?). The grapes will be out in March/April. It's all about the grapes is what Ross told us. Their vineyard is called Dublin Street. 

Neighbors Ann and James invited in for some tea and we talked for quite some time about New Zealand, the United States, Trump, Jacinda, housing, the human population on our planet, our work, our hobbies, our travels, and our families. Ann and James take care of the land themselves: mowing the lawn, gardening, and taking care of the chickens. We shared that when we first arrived at Sage Cottage, there were a lot of dead flies in the house. We prefer them over live ones because they're easy to clean up. Anyway, James let us know that they are called Cluster Flies and that they are from Minnesota, USA. Came over in cargo and have stayed in New Zealand. No predators to kill them off. 

 We definitely covered a lot in 90 minutes. A lovely couple. Ann is an artist and educator and I LOVED all the art in their home. 

Ann and James sell their eggs too!

We set off on a walk/hike near Sage Cottage. Rapaki Walk/Loop which would take 1-2 hours. The views are supposed to be incredible. We weren't disappointed. Today's weather turned out to be the warmest yet for us in NZ. 

I appreciated the signage as it always helps to have clarity in unknown situations. The signs informed walkers to follow the white markers. 

We got to a gate with a lock and I tried to unlock the gate. Mom kept saying we weren't supposed to open the gate. According to the webpage, the walk was closed in September and October for lambing (when the female sheep have their babies/lamb).  Since today was August 30, I knew that the walk was open to us. I told mom the gate is so that animals won't go in and out of the area.  I unlocked the gate and we walked through! 

      

All the white markers had yellow arrows pointing us in the direction to walk. 

I must admit, when I saw these cows, I got a bit concerned. They are HUGE! But then I remembered they were cows. 

Mom asked me: Why did you wear red? (I was actually wearing orange.). 

Me: Mom, they are cows, not bulls. 

Mom: oh yeah...

The grass/soil was wet and muddy. Our feet and shoes were sinking into the ground. Mom hoped that the hike would take us out another way and that we wouldn't have to walk back from where we came. But the entire hike was wet and soggy. Really wet and soggy. Mom said that boots would be good at this time! haha

I'm pointing at a marker. Some markers were easy to spot and some weren't. 

Throughout the walk, there were stiles (an arrangement of steps that allows people but not animals to climb over a fence or wall) for us to climb over. I felt like a kid on a play structure or jungle gym. 

Walking up, up, up. 

Looking up, up, up. 

Our feet totally sank into the mud. 

Throughout the walk, I know mom was worried. 

Mom: Did you bring some crackers?

Me: No, are you hungry? We just had lunch.

Mom: Well, what if we're lost and we don't have anything to eat?

Later...

Mom: Did you bring a phone?

Me: yes, why?

Mom: What if we get lost and you need to call 911 to get a helicopter out to rescue us?

Me: mom, even if we get lost, we can backtrack and go back the way we came. 

Mom: okay

Serenity, peace, and no one around. Since I like to drink a lot of water, I was able to pee twice. Mom didn't pee once on the one-hour and 15-minute walk. She doesn't drink because she doesn't want to have to pee. 

The bench where we sat briefly to take in the view.  Great spot to draw, meditate, nap, picnic, do nothing. 

This is the panoramic view of the valley when we reached the top. The picture doesn't really do it justice. It was breathtaking. 

Mom was in a rush to head back down because she was worried that the sun would set. It was 3:00. Sigh. 

We came down from the top and were finishing up the loop. Still pretty muddy and wet. My shoes. 

Mom's shoes. 

I kept encouraging mom to look for the white marker to let us know where to go next. 

At this point, we also saw some peacocks, but I wasn't fast enough to capture a photo of them. Mom said that Chinese people believe that if you see a peacock opening its feathers, you are very lucky. I would say that if any person saw a peacock's feathers, they are lucky to see such beauty. 

When we finished the walk, mom was more relaxed. See mommy and baby?

Rapaki walk completed! I want to do it again! I think we'll get new shoes for mom in Wellington today. Heading out with Heni (the bus driver) on a field trip out to the country's capital!