In March I decided it was time to get back on the bike and get fit, loose weight, all the usual reasons for trying to be active in many different ways, however, day two into the new regime after work, disaster struck.
I left home around 7.00pm to go cycling, too late but an appointment for work kept me delayed and I didn't want to miss a lovely evening out on the bike. At 7.30pm I cycled out from under some trees straight into the sun and was blinded, disorientated I cycled straight into a low barrier post. Not going fast the impact still had serious repercussions; my left shoulder impacted with the handlebars on the way through smashing my clavicle and I landed about 2 metres on gravel on my back. Stunned I got up and a lovely bystander came to my rescue and drove me home. To cut a very long and painful story very short, after three weeks I had surgery to plate the bones, about a nine inch cut and immobile in a sling for 6 weeks. Later I discovered I now have two rotator cuff tears, pain in both shoulders, only able to sleep on my back and a long 18 month wait to have the plate removed before any further repairs can be undertaken.
Before all this happened I had booked a couple of weeks holiday in mid May to Bangkok and Phuket for rest and recovery. Just out of the sling by two days we flew to Bangkok and arrived two days before the military coup. We took daily massages and really indulged in lying back and being pampered. The only real sightseeing we did was to take a driver and head north to visit the River Kwai. A trip we had not included in previous trips to Thailand and one we were pleased we did this time. How people endured such conditions one cannot imagine or wish to ever see people experience again.
Phuket was just pure indulgence, we stayed at Mangosteen Resort and Spa, with lovely big villas for each couple, children not permitted, cocktails after 3pm and a nice indoor/outdoor restaurant. We ate seafood fresh from the sea, buy it at the market and take 5 steps into a local restaurant to have it cooked and served to your table. Again we had massages daily down at the seafront. As it was low season everything was very negotiable. Like all good things it came to an end when we arrived on May 29th. I had celebrated my 56th birthday during the vacation.
We popped a night in Wellington into the mix to be part of the Freddy Mercury tribute night at the Michael Fowler Centre, three rows from the front it was a great show.
Saturday in late June dawned a beautiful day and hubby suggested we might like to have a day out. I readily agreed as my activities had been pretty limited for four months, just walking a few kilometres after work around the walkways. After a bit of googling we settled on walking the Rimutaka Incline Walk. It was a bit late when we finally set off from home, but we agreed we would walk as far as it was reasonable to enable us to return to the car before it became cold.
We left the carpark at Cross Creek at 11am and finally got to the summit, after a stop for a cuppa after an hour, at 1.00pm. We did not meet another walker on the way but plenty of mountain bikers cycled uphill past us. We found a table and enjoyed our lunch with another cup of tea. The day was stunning, sunshine, no clouds, no wind which is pretty special if you know that area. There is so much wind normally that there are signs warning you of the cold southerly wind and to be prepared. I walked much of the way in a tee-shirt as I had become too warm with my merino on.
The tunnels along the way are an amazing piece of engineering and there are plenty of information posts telling you of the men killed due to rock falls and explosions. It was clearly a harsh environment in which to make a living but you also read of the camaraderie that endured and the lifelong friendships made. It was from the accounts a social place to live Cross Creek and the remnants of a tennis court can be seen near the Cross Creek Station.
After lunch we decided to walk for another half hour. The path on the Upper Hutt side is wide, level and well cared for, the Rimutaka side is rougher and more challenging. The Hutt side you could push a stroller on but the Rimutaka side is impossible, particularly where the washout occurred, there it is recommended you dismount your bike and only a foolhardy person would not follow the instructions.
We walked for another two kilometres then turned back. The return walk was easy if not a little jarring on the knees as you are all downhill from the Summit. The wind never came up, the sun stayed out and by the time we returned to our car we had walked 18kms and never saw another walker.
It was so nice to discover a part of the Wairarapa I had not seen before, to read the history and be encouraged to get out and experience the hidden treasures.
I made a silent commitment to take up tramping again once I have had the knee surgery. Just another little operation I am waiting for.
I left home around 7.00pm to go cycling, too late but an appointment for work kept me delayed and I didn't want to miss a lovely evening out on the bike. At 7.30pm I cycled out from under some trees straight into the sun and was blinded, disorientated I cycled straight into a low barrier post. Not going fast the impact still had serious repercussions; my left shoulder impacted with the handlebars on the way through smashing my clavicle and I landed about 2 metres on gravel on my back. Stunned I got up and a lovely bystander came to my rescue and drove me home. To cut a very long and painful story very short, after three weeks I had surgery to plate the bones, about a nine inch cut and immobile in a sling for 6 weeks. Later I discovered I now have two rotator cuff tears, pain in both shoulders, only able to sleep on my back and a long 18 month wait to have the plate removed before any further repairs can be undertaken.
Before all this happened I had booked a couple of weeks holiday in mid May to Bangkok and Phuket for rest and recovery. Just out of the sling by two days we flew to Bangkok and arrived two days before the military coup. We took daily massages and really indulged in lying back and being pampered. The only real sightseeing we did was to take a driver and head north to visit the River Kwai. A trip we had not included in previous trips to Thailand and one we were pleased we did this time. How people endured such conditions one cannot imagine or wish to ever see people experience again.
Phuket was just pure indulgence, we stayed at Mangosteen Resort and Spa, with lovely big villas for each couple, children not permitted, cocktails after 3pm and a nice indoor/outdoor restaurant. We ate seafood fresh from the sea, buy it at the market and take 5 steps into a local restaurant to have it cooked and served to your table. Again we had massages daily down at the seafront. As it was low season everything was very negotiable. Like all good things it came to an end when we arrived on May 29th. I had celebrated my 56th birthday during the vacation.
We popped a night in Wellington into the mix to be part of the Freddy Mercury tribute night at the Michael Fowler Centre, three rows from the front it was a great show.
Saturday in late June dawned a beautiful day and hubby suggested we might like to have a day out. I readily agreed as my activities had been pretty limited for four months, just walking a few kilometres after work around the walkways. After a bit of googling we settled on walking the Rimutaka Incline Walk. It was a bit late when we finally set off from home, but we agreed we would walk as far as it was reasonable to enable us to return to the car before it became cold.
We left the carpark at Cross Creek at 11am and finally got to the summit, after a stop for a cuppa after an hour, at 1.00pm. We did not meet another walker on the way but plenty of mountain bikers cycled uphill past us. We found a table and enjoyed our lunch with another cup of tea. The day was stunning, sunshine, no clouds, no wind which is pretty special if you know that area. There is so much wind normally that there are signs warning you of the cold southerly wind and to be prepared. I walked much of the way in a tee-shirt as I had become too warm with my merino on.The tunnels along the way are an amazing piece of engineering and there are plenty of information posts telling you of the men killed due to rock falls and explosions. It was clearly a harsh environment in which to make a living but you also read of the camaraderie that endured and the lifelong friendships made. It was from the accounts a social place to live Cross Creek and the remnants of a tennis court can be seen near the Cross Creek Station.
After lunch we decided to walk for another half hour. The path on the Upper Hutt side is wide, level and well cared for, the Rimutaka side is rougher and more challenging. The Hutt side you could push a stroller on but the Rimutaka side is impossible, particularly where the washout occurred, there it is recommended you dismount your bike and only a foolhardy person would not follow the instructions.
We walked for another two kilometres then turned back. The return walk was easy if not a little jarring on the knees as you are all downhill from the Summit. The wind never came up, the sun stayed out and by the time we returned to our car we had walked 18kms and never saw another walker.
It was so nice to discover a part of the Wairarapa I had not seen before, to read the history and be encouraged to get out and experience the hidden treasures. I made a silent commitment to take up tramping again once I have had the knee surgery. Just another little operation I am waiting for.
