Rainy day

Most of the posts on my blog show me going somewhere.  I usually walk at least an hour or two every day and in the course of these walks, (with the help of free buses and trains for seniors) I've explored all over the western Auckland area. I intend to continue to expand my searches into the northern, eastern and southern areas.  I've hardly started the job of 'discovering' Auckland after all. 

But there are some days when exploring just doesn't work out. Rainy sorts of days. We have one of those going on right now. It's chilly, rain is almost constant, and the wind, if I was out  in it, would make me wish I wasn't. 

So, what's a person supposed to do on such a day? Sitting around all day doing nothing would make me jumpy. 

Fortunately, there is a solution. This place is big enough that I can have a terrific walk indoors.  Let me show you some of the places I could go.  

This first picture was taken at the far end of our Atrium. (Our apartment is most of the way down this corridor and on the right.) 

I've now walked the length of the Atrium corridor and am at the lounge at the opposite end. (I have often come here to read.)  

In this picture, and the next, you'll see the sets of buildings I can walk through. Starting on the left we have The Mews, then comes The Ferns in the middle, 

and finally, The Rose Court, the building with the red stairwell area on the end.  I walked the entire way this morning, from the far end of our Atrium to the red striped stairwell in The Rose Court, counting my steps as I went. I counted 320.   

Then, I can turn around and retrace my steps on our 2nd floor or go up or down to other floors. 

Today, I went down to the first, repeated my trek to the far end of the Atrium, and then descended those steps to the ground floor. Round and round, up and down, for as long as I want to walk. 

Then, maybe a nice cuppa. 

Nothing like a free cup of coffee, tea or chocolate after a hike on a cold day. Yes, it's instant, but it's surprisingly good. 

Now let me show you some places we can go to rest up after our hike. 

This covered balcony is a place where Jeanne and I have shared a cup many times.  It's got a fine view of the garden. Let's look at some other places out of the rain. 

This is outside the cafe on the eastern side

And this is on the northern side of the cafe.  Looking toward the new Pak'nSave,

and looking toward the circle drive. 

In the lobby

In the cafe

The library

Near the African Garden

A small pavilion in the African Garden.

Nice and dry in here, even today. 

One of the residents brought down a basket of scones this morning, made with cheese and chillies.  Notice all the cups of coffee on the table. This is located on the ground floor in the Atrium and is a popular gathering place every morning. I ought to do a couple of batches of my applesauce raisin cornmeal muffins sometime. 

Finally today, we have a sausage party to help warm us. You get two sausages for $2.  It happens to be the Queen's birthday today, but that's not why we're having the sausages. We have a sizzle about once a month regardless.  

Well, I know that I walked at least an hour today so far. I went up and down many sets of stairs. After dinner tonight, I plan to walk once again. (update: I did another 45 minutes)

Sometime between 9 - 9:30 p.m, they turn down the lights in the Atrium to a more restful level. I find it especially pleasant to walk then. On clear nights I can look up through the skylights in the Atrium and see the moon and maybe one or two of the brighter stars. I won't get that chance tonight, but it'll be nice anyway.  

I hope that you've enjoyed following me around on this wet day. It sounds like tomorrow might bring more of the same. If so, I'll be ready.                            -djf