Springing Up The Mount

Monday

On a gorgeous day in the Bay, we walked up Mt Maunganui while Ro was in school. We were hoping to see the pod of dolphins off the main beach that the locals have been buzzing about for a week, but no luck today. The spring lambs are out in full force on the slopes of Mauao, which made for ample photo opportunities.

Some woolly cross traffic

A common sight on The Mount these days

Sherry on the way up

We started out on the gravel 4-wheel drive track that Sherry usually runs up (with about 4 or 5 stops along the way), but about halfway up we detoured onto what can generously be called a goat track. Ro would have loved it, very steep and treacherous. The path brought us out onto the quiet north side of the summit, where the paragliders take off. We actually ran into a couple of familiar staff members from The Rock House who were spending the morning climbing and scouting routes along some of the cliffs. After picking Ro up from school, Sherry took Ro to the beach to dig in the sand for a while. Straight into a bath when he got home!

Taking the road less travelled

Mark on the north side of Mauao

Looking west towards Matakana Island and the Kaimai Range. Note the climber peering down the rock face

Sherry enjoying the vista from one of our favorite spots

High dollar real estate and cafe row at the base of Mauao