It was pretty overcast when we left Upper Hutt and a very slow drive into town due to road works. This meant we didn’t start walking from Shorland Park 20 minutes later than planned. The weather in Island Bay was a pleasant surprise as it was a lovely sunny but breezy day. We started climbing almost immediately via Derwent St, failed to head straight ahead into Oku St, so had started heading downhill before I realised our error. Oh well, what’s another hill climb! Then it was up some very steep steps through the Oku Reserve which basically climbs to the top of the hill for some amazing views and then descends via more steps to Severn St. Back up the hill again, to turn onto Frobisher and more climbing along the street with a detour to the Cambodian Buddhist Monastery. We took a look around the grounds as we thought the monks looked like they were in prayer. The views from the Stupa were once again amazing. Then it was back down onto Frobisher St and along to our next green belt. This area contains a large number of parks and walking tracks. It was nearly midday by now, so we stopped for a quick lunchbreak. By now the wind had got up so we decided to only go as far as either the golf course or Sisters of Compassion to have a coffee. Decision made the tracks got rather confusing, so it was basically following your nose through some lovely bush and amazingly we came out by the Marae Grounds right next door to The Sisters of Compassion. We then trudged up another small hill and to the café. We ordered our coffee’s and while we were waiting for them, some of us had a look inside the chapel and paid our respects to Mother Aubert (what an amazing life she had – I suggest those reading this google about her). Much needed coffee inhaled, it was all downhill or flat for another 2 kms along The Parade back to our cars and a slow trip home via Brooklyn to avoid traffic, but encountered road works.

Trip Leader – Judith O’Leary

Walkers – Denise, Kathy, Christine, Jane, Mark, Helen, Anne-Mette, Lynda and Jan M (visiting from the UK)