Goat Tracks

Goat tracks are a euphemism for narrow roads. Last week I drove on a couple of them. We went to Otaki on 25 March. We went the fast route up SH1. Returning we took the adventurous route on Akatarawa Road from Waikanae to Upper. It was very narrow and twisty and up and down. Of course it was beautiful as well. The day was fine and sunny. I wouldn't want to be on that road when wet and slippery. So I drove slowly, about 30 km/hr and safely. The road went over a few one-lane bridges. Tom was glad when we were done; he was getting a bit green.

The following video is of the Akatarawa Road. Please note that this is a two way road at this point!

On Friday, 26 March, I drove through Titahi Bay and then to Whitirea Park. The park had twisty narrow roads. The sea view was fantastic but I waited until I parked the car to savour it.

TKD Test

We had another TKD test this past weekend.  I was testing for my "red tip" that would 7/10 of the way to Black Belt, Chris was testing for her Green Tip or 3/10 of the way.  Dennis just got to kick the living daylights out of some people who were testing for various belts.

From my perspective the testing went very well.  I finished without falling on my but, only because someone caught me when I was doing a jumping-turning-back-kick.  It is harder than it sounds.  Sparing went well I was able to get through my three one-minute rounds without gaping too hard.  In one of the rounds my sparing partner delivered a great side kick to my gut.  He promptly fell over, poor guy weighs about 80lb less than me.

At the end the grader said that he was very impressed with my progress over the past year and told me to focus on chambering my legs and making sure that I keep my balance at all times.

I will not know the results of the test for a couple of weeks.  It takes some time here in NZ for them to add up the points, order the certificates and belts to make it all official.  Either way I am pleased with my performance for the test.  I have made some noticeable improvement and that gives me the energy to keep at it.

The Fight!

Dennis is the one in Red. This is the three rounds complete with intermissions when he was fighting at the last TKD tournament. That is Chris behind the scoring table ... no she had nothing to do with Dennis winning!

Botanical Gardens

On Sunday we went out for a picnic. Dennis chose the Botanical Gardens because he wanted to make sure that we did not walk too far once we got out of the car. In the past I have made him hike up 500' to the top of mountains before eating so him choosing the place was to make it more pleasant for us all.

The Botanical Gardens are a bit south of where we live and in general west of the city. This would be our fourth picnic there and true to form we ended up somewhere new this time as well. I had intended on going to the highest point of the gardens but took a wrong turn.

We ended up by the Observatories and found a wonderful spot with this view.

It was by an old German WW-I cannon which was excellent entertainment for Dennis so Chris and I were able to enjoy the above view longer than we would have otherwise.

I had promised Dennis that he could stop at a playground on our picnic.  He reminded me of that on our way out as we went by his favorite climbing tree in the gardens.

(Just turn either your monitor or your head so you can get the correct effect)