Life in Colour, Monthly Updates, The Changing Seasons

What’s been happening? May 2021

Suzanne

It could be fair to say that walking was a significant occupation during May, with the sun accompanying us most days. On others, rain clouds and droplets, luckily we were the sensible ones with raincoats. All in all, those walks gave us a sense of achievement and escapism, if just for a short while.

Heading towards the railway bridge which has a walking/cycling path to Matapihi – a well used path by myself and others.

Nothing extraordinary about myself been out and about walking; for the Squire, it takes much more strength, mentally and physically, to get out the door and clock up 5 kms or more. We see it as filling his ‘strength bank account’, the less activity he does, the more he becomes depleted, and if he doesn’t put some strength back in again before his treatment, then he’s going to use up all his bank account. That’s the theory we are clinging on to. We have always had a rainy day account; this challenge is no exception.

The theory of a contribution into a strength bank account, can be applied to all of us, like pennies in a money box, it all adds up relatively fast if done regularly. Before you know it, there’s a substantial amount to sustain you when needing an extra boost of strength.

Autumn’s last hooray

The Waikareao Estuary Walk & Kōrero

It’s presence has intensified this month with more pretty bursts of colour, more noticeable by myself when I am fully engaged within our neck of the woods, not woods per se, more like leafy neighbouring streets, estuary paths and parks than deeply wooded areas.

Back to Talking about Walking

I’ve always loved walking.

The simplicity and freedom of it.

No tying or troublesome equipment needed, just a serviceable pair of feet.

Planes, trains, ships, cars, bikes, horses and donkeys all limit you in one way or another.

With foot travel, barring walking on air and walking on water, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want.

You don’t have to look at a timetable, you don’t have to wait for a ride, you don’t have to spend much money and you don’t have to buy loads of gear.  

All you have to do is point your feet to the north, south, east or west.

Walking creates an intoxicating sense of possibility you don’t experience with any other form of locomotion.

These are some the reasons why I love walking.

Now it’s time to take a Squizzy around our neighbourhood and beyond

This shot was taken from the local jetty before my jaunt up and around the Mount.

McLaren Falls Park – requiring a 20 minute car ride

A frequented walking path and a stones throw from our abode.

Lastly something purple for Jude’s photo challenge – Life in Colour [the focus during May was purple] – A purple swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) named a Pūkeko in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Linking to:

The Changing Seasons

Life in Colour – Purple.

Published by Suzanne

Travel and Life Musings from New Zealand and Beyond. . . . . . .

51 thoughts on “What’s been happening? May 2021”

  4. You do have the most exkwisite neighbourhood (yes, same old lap top and no _ 🙂 ) to walk in Suzanne. I can see it being a great source of strength to you both, and I’m wholely with you on the subject of walking. God bless!

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  5. I really like the idea of a strength bank account, it makes complete sense to me! What a beautiful area you live in and your photos are superb! Our autumn colours have been spectacular this year as well. Take care and enjoy your walking! xx

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    1. Thanks very much, Deb. As his transplant gets closer, walking is a healthy distraction. I will catch up with your blog soon. Loved the long cycle ride you both recently completed. Well done! Take care xx

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  7. Beautiful fall scenery and I love the colours on the swamphen. I agree with you about walking. It’s been my lifestyle for most of my life. Sending warm thoughts to you both.

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  8. Your autumn colours are beautiful, you live in a very attractive place and I’m so glad that the Squire is able to replenish his strength bank in such wonderful surroundings and with you by his side. True strength. And the swamp hen is a magnificent colour. Thank you 💜

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    1. Thanks very much, Jude we love our walks together. Medical “things” are processing faster now in June. The swamp hen is gorgeous and one of my favourite birds to stalk with a camera.

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  9. I love the idea of a strength bank account. For most of us in our younger days, this account filled itself naturally. Now that we are older, we have to make regular deposits. You are lucky to live in such a beautiful area… I imagine it doesn’t take much to get yourself out and about.

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    1. Thanks Janis, as we many others we take for granted where we live and no doubt don’t appreciate it as much as a visitor. We are lucky to live in NZ, it’s not a perfect place though it is home and we love it.
      You’re right in that when we were younger fitness did come more naturally and we were generally more active. For me, to do no exercise would drive me slightly crazy 😉

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  11. Thank you so much for sharing those beautiful autumn photos. What a great idea the “strength bank” is. Jack has just had a total knee replacement and is really looking forward to building his walking back up again as his knee gets stronger.

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  12. Pingback: The Changing Seasons, May 2021 | Zimmerbitch

  14. Thank you for sharing the gorgeous views of your walks Suzanne. I’m actually just back from mine with Harry. I do hope that the Squire’s energy and strength account stays nice and strong. Happy walking!

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  16. What beautiful photographs.
    I love the idea of filling up the strength bank account. I think I ought to do a little more of that, mine is becoming depleted!

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  17. I agree with you about walking, Suzanne. It is, bottom line, the best way to get around. Glad the two of you can get out to enjoy those gorgeous autumn scenes to fill the account. Your swamp hen looks like it must be related to our purple gallinule.

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    1. Hi Eilene, I had to google ‘purple gallinule’, it does seem that they are related and do look very similar. Though with the pukeko their young are more colourful. Both the gallinule and pukeko are beautiful birds.

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        1. I suppose the bird species have evolved over time to be able to move from one side of the world to another? Our pukeko can fly though I think it prefers wet feet around the local waterways.

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  18. I really like the idea of a strength bank account. I must remember that and remember to keep my own topped up. I’m not getting any younger and some joints are creaking so I’ll need that bank account to stay as full as possible 🙂

    Beautiful autumn colours – viewing from the other side of the world where we’re heading into summer they make a refreshing change!

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  19. I love the colors in McLaren Falls Park and I love walking. It is my favorite activity/exercise, generally, for the reasons you mention: it provides freedom, it is easy, you can do it almost anywhere, and it is free. Sign me on! It’s the best way to explore an area and I’d rather walk than drive to grocery stores or running errands, if at all possible! And… it’s even more beneficial when you have a doggy companion. 🙂

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    1. Apologies for the delay in replying, Liesbet. I do miss walking dogs and having the pleasure of owning one. Walking will always be a good stress reliever for me, especially when listening to music as I navigate our neighbourhood.

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  20. How I envy avid walkers like yourself – Loving Husband and I have commented often to each other how we are not made for walking … our hips ache even after a short-ish walk; running comes much easier to us.

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    1. I have wished over the years that I was built more for running than walking, so there you go. Though walking for me is a brilliant stress release and so is cycling.

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      1. Grass always greener over the fence? We have often talked about getting into cycling as we prepare for the future when perhaps running isn’t so plausible for exploration…

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