Down Normandale Road - Night 52

Kowhai House

Around eleven I decided to hike down into the valley to check out all that is the City of Lower Hutt. Three blocks from the house a trail begins that switchbacks down the hill past waterfalls and mammoth trees of a variety unknown to this Northerner. A great little piece of nature just off of NZ Highway 2. Situated near the mouth of the Hutt River, the city itself, while reeking slightly of suburban décor and an abject automobile culture, had a surprisingly energetic downtown as well as a large three story mall complete with multiplex. A lap and a half around town found me a less than delicious Kebab and some bath supplies for back at the house. Hiking back up the trail I was nearly killed by a mountain biker screaming down the sinuous track. Ah, the perils of urban hiking.

The better part of the afternoon was spent aiding Lauren in attempting to weed the house garden, which had become tragically overgrown in weeds and rouge vegetables that had apparently taken seed from the compost spread about a few months prior. The first and most difficult task was determining what exactly was planted and what not. In the end, anything interesting looking or otherwise rare was allowed to continue living, all else was ravenous ripped out by the roots.

Our evening meal was barbecued chicken, burgers, coleslaw, garlic bread, and salad. Exhausted, I retired to reading after the feast.

What I Learned Today: I am beginning to belief the assertion made by some of my dearest friends: Mainly, that my neurosis is spiraling ever upward…and I couldn’t be happier about it.

written by  exumenius on December 1, 2007 from Wellington, New Zealand
from the travel blog: Kiwis and Kangaroos
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