Whangamata

Posted on Sat 8 September 2007 at 08:38

I was up by 6.10am and we were on the road by 6.45am.  The auto-route planner we used reckoned it took 75 minutes to get to Whangamata.  A route planner generated in America by someone who had obviously never driven there. 

The journey actually took I hour 40 minutes in total, with Steve driving the last 30k or so like an absolute demon to get there on time. We used to use the phrase 'windy windy' a lot for very bendy roads.  Wind-ee as in the wind seemed to sweep across them and try to blow you off the road and wine-dee as in convoluted.  I used the word ‘curly’ today to describe the road as it wound backwards and forwards over the mountains and probably nearly tied itself in knots en route.  Having said that, the drive was stunning.  If you wanted to see some incredible scenery that last half hour or so was pretty damned good.  

I swung wildly between being worried about being late and finding it quite funny and being laid back about it.  As it happens, I ran in and grabbed my number and got out into the marshalling area with 3 whole minutes to spare – no time for a stretching session or owt. 

I made the mistake of jogging for the first 4 kilometres.  I haven’t done a huge amount of road work; mostly I have used the treadmill at the Gym.  With the result my knees started giving me real gyp.  I had to walk the rest of the way but I’m not a fast walker so I lost a bit of time there.  Not to worry, I finished in 1 hour 13 minutes, with Melissa running the last wee bit around the playing field beside me.  It was eerily reminiscent of running the Elgin half marathon 20 years ago and Shane coming out to run the last few yards with me.  At a tangent as usual:  if I ran a half marathon at 25 years old; 10 k at 45; does that mean I will be running 5k at 65…….and have a break at 85?

And look at the weather!! It was a lovely morning, I'm glad I had sun cream on and my sunglasses - and this is early spring?!!

When I went to collect my number before the walk, the chap who handed me my number caught my accent and asked where I was from -  I replied that I was from Elgin, he said ‘och, I’m fae Rothes masel’. I was in too much of a hurry to stop and chat but afterwards I tracked him down and we had a good long blether.  He left Rothes a long time ago but still had a broader accent than I do.  I asked if he would mind if I put him in here and he didn’t mind.  So, Mr Tom Grant, who left Rothes in the 1940’s, now residing in Whangamata, welcome to my blog!  He told me he used to live on New Street and had been back last year and had been talking to Aunty Jean!  By-way (if indeed that is how you spell his name?)used to lodge with his family.  {Shona - remember and tell Mam!}  It is just so bizarre – we go to an insignificant little village completely off the beaten track on the North Island of New Zealand and meet someone from my insignificant little home village halfway round the world in rural Scotland.  Steve just rolled his eyes.  He says it doesn’t matter where I go, I always find someone I know! 

Tom - it was lovely to meet you, we will have to keep in touch.

We visited the beach there and it was lovely but to be honest, I’m not sure I would bother with the drive. To be fair, the drive on the way back was better as we had time to enjoy it.  We also visited Waihi Beach , which was really nice too but less of a journey to get there. 

It was actually far nicer than this photo would have you believe - we didn't have a jacket between us and enjoyed our walk, grubbing about for shells as usual - great haul today. 

So all in all, a great day.  A real sense of acheivement for doing the 10k, nice to meet another Rothesian, 2 beaches and nice weather too!  Topped off with that quintessential traditional Kiwi meal:  KFC; what more could an expat ask for?